Folks,
Thank you.
NWMRT have only had 1 call out over the past week which was sorted very quickly by Police Fermanagh & Omagh.
Now can I ask you to do the same over the weekend and through next week, please stay at home. Do not venture into the hills or to unfamiliar areas, take care when out for any reason and be safe.
Thank you.
Keith Thompson,
Team Leader,
NWMRT.
Thank you to Breandan Ó'Scannaill and the production team at Connemara Community Radio for inviting us onto 'The Great Outdoors' show this evening to discuss our response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Listen to the full interview here: connemarafm.com/Audio/great-outdoors.mp3 (starts at 16 minutes)
#mountainrescue #connemara #galway #coronavirus #connemaracommunityradio
KMRT COVID-19 Update:
With the high volumes of people observed on the Kerry mountains over the last weekend, and given the current climate in relation to Covid-19, Kerry Mountain Rescue must make a number of difficult choices.
When calling out the Team to an incident, our first priority has to be the safety of Team members and their families. We are all volunteers, many of whom live with and care for 'vulnerable' people at home and in our working lives.
If you call 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue, we will of course do what we can, however...
- If you are uninjured, lost or benighted, you will be asked to consider waiting until morning, and/or better visibility to extricate yourself.
- If you are 'walking wounded' you will be asked to consider extricating yourself from the mountain.
- If you are seriously injured, and/or not physically able to get yourself off the hill, we will attend with the absolute minimum of team members needed to complete the task. Because of this, the evacuation will be less straightforward and the overall time to transport you to medical attention will be much longer.
Helicopter support will only be requested if a time critical injury is sustained.
While contrary to everything Kerry Mountain Rescue believe in, these measures are necessary to protect Team members and their families at this time.
Covid-19 is a very serious threat and it’s time everyone faced up to their responsibilities in order to limit the spread of the virus. Government guidelines have been very clear about physical distancing and many people have chosen to ignore this, putting everyone at risk. By its very nature, mountain rescue requires close contact between both rescuers and casualty, exposing everyone to the risk of infection. Remember, we could also infect you! Our already over-burdened hospitals don’t need or want any avoidable admissions over this difficult period.
Kerry Mountain Rescue are asking walkers to forego their enjoyment of the hills for the moment and to stick to lowland paths and walkways, while strictly observing social distancing principles. Otherwise there may come a time when the team may not be able to respond at all.
Let's all put our shoulder to the wheel now and do our bit. Be Responsible, Stop the Spread.
Remember, the mountains will always be there.
Thank you.
I agree wholeheartedly with Kerry Mountain Rescue statement. It is a measured response to the COVID-19 public health threat with honest and inclusive observations for the health and safety of rescue members and recreational climbers alike.
I'm in NYC this virus is no joke it doesn't care what you age are . We are seeing people in their 30's and 40's in ICU .54% of the cases here are people 18-49.We are up to 15,000 ill withe a hospitalization rate of almost 17% . We have 525 people in ICU right now and the numbers are expected to grow of the next two to 3 weeks .
County Kerry needs to go to a “shelter-in-place” order with social distancing, sooner rather than later. 🍀
Perhaps it needs to be closed
Well said. It is quite possible that many inexperienced people are taking to the hills recently thereby putting both to themselves and the mountain rescue teams in danger.
Let them ring insurance company first , before venturing out mountain climbing ,during a pandemic. We'll see how much quicker the urge to stay at home will be.
Let Darwin sort this out. If people are being selfish enough to still venture out, they can surely take a hit.
Agree totally. Why put yourselves at risk for selfish people.
I agree look after yourselves the Mountain's are going nowhere stay safe all
Perfect announcement 👌 Take care of you and yours.
Absolutely justified! It's very selfish of people to put others at risk.
Close down access and stop people climbing, we all need to protect ourselves
Well done. This makes so much sense. People please 👂 listen and heed
Safer also for farmers that people are not opening gates erc they have to attend to there Sheep, well done
Well done. People dont seem to take responsibilty for their actions now. No wonder Insurance so high. Dont think they know meaning of the word !
Tough call but you have to put yourselves before the numpties that ignore the rules. 👏
Protect yourselfs and your families.People should cop on
Reckless people deserve reckless results. Leave them off, I say.
Well done guys !
Stay off the mountains!! Stay home!!
You are so right. Well Done. It has to be.
Totally agree.
It is the Right Decision
Personal Responsibility
Totally agree
We feel that there's enough incredible news in the world just now, so we won't be adding to that today.
Instead, thank you all for staying at home, keeping yourselves safe, and for looking after each other.
When times are better, and they will be, we'll all return to our beloved outdoors. Until then, you know what to do...
MMRT would like to say a huge thank you to David Stapleton and his team at the Connacht Whiskey Company Connacht Whiskey Company Ltd in Ballina for donating a supply of their hand sanitizing gel to our team.
As everyone knows PPE including hand sanitizer is in short supply at present and it is extremely important to our team in case we are called out in an emergency. 👏👍🏻
Well done to The Connacht Whiskey Company on such generosity. Strange times bring out such great goodness. 👏👏
The Connacht Whiskey Company Ltd left a bottle for all their neighbours in Castlebar too. It was such a kind thing to do. Let's all support these local businesses when we get out the other end of Covid 19. They'll need every bit of it.
COVID-19 Update ***IMPORTANT***
We want to share an important update surrounding our operational procedures and how these will impact the delivery of our services across the Mourne region for the foreseeable future.
As a voluntary frontline emergency service, we are committed to serving our community and saving lives in the mountains. However, given the tangible threat that Covid-19 poses to public health at present, we find ourselves in unchartered waters. We must continuously review and adapt our ways of doing things to reflect the most up-to-date public health advice.
With the high volumes of people observed in the mountains over the last weekend, and given the current climate in relation to Covid-19, we must now make a number of difficult choices.
When contacted for Mountain Rescue, our first priority has to be the safety of team members, their families and our community. We are all volunteers, many of whom live with and care for 'vulnerable' people at home and in our working lives.
If you call 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue, we will of course do what we can, however...
- If you are uninjured, lost or benighted, you will be asked to consider waiting until morning, and/or better visibility to extricate yourself.
- If you are 'walking wounded' you will be asked to consider extricating yourself from the mountain.
- If you are seriously injured, and/or not physically able to get yourself off the hill, we will attend with the absolute minimum of team members needed to complete the task. Because of this, the evacuation will be less straightforward and the overall time to transport you to medical attention will be much longer.
Helicopter support will only be requested if a time critical injury is sustained.
While contrary to everything we believe in, these measures are necessary to protect team members, their families and our community at this time.
Covid-19 is a very serious threat and everyone must face up to their responsibilities in order to limit the spread of the virus. Government guidelines have been very clear and many people have chosen to ignore this, putting everyone at risk. By its very nature, mountain rescue requires close contact between both rescuers and casualty, exposing everyone to the risk of infection. Remember, we could also infect you! Our already over-burdened ambulance service and hospitals don’t need or want any avoidable admissions over this difficult period.
We are asking walkers/climbers/runners/bikers to forego their enjoyment of the mountains for the moment and to stick to confined alternatives, while strictly observing government guidelines. Otherwise there may come a time when the team may not be able to respond at all.
Let's all put our shoulder to the wheel now and do our bit.
Remember, the mountains will always be there.
Thank you.
#stayathome #savelives
I fully support your decision but I value my physical & mental health & without the mountains I can't cope. I shall continue to stroll & hopefully not need your services. I have unfortunately seen you guys in full flow b4 & was in awe of what you put yourselves thru. Much love boys, take care 😘
I agree with the approach the Rescue Team have taken. I am a member of a Community First Responder team and we have been stood down because of the Coronavirus. I am also a hill walker but have not been in the hills for over two weeks. I know what it’s like been confined but it’s more important to beat the virus for the safety of our community.
You guys should make these rules permanent. Once this is over ppl will think twice before taking off without proper gear, first aid kit and before taking their children for a "walk up the hill" wearing flip flops or trainers. Stay safe all!👍😷
Very well said. People shouldn’t be in the mountains in these times and should be at home as per the advice by government. Yes the government allows exercise but there is no need for people to be going into the mountains putting your team and the over burdened health service at risk needlessly. When we come out the other side of this we can all enjoy the mountains again.
I trust everyone takes heed of all the advice. Thank you for the vital work you do as volunteers. We look forward to walking in the beautiful Mournes again as soon as it's safe to do so. Stay safe.
The virus is a nightmare, I had a very fit friend who got pneumonia a few yrs ago and while in his 40 s still never properly recovered. His life ever since has been a struggle
Hard decisions but people should not be on the mountains. Hopefully they listen and you all stay safe x
Very wise, stay safe. Hopefully everyone will stay home and avoid any call outs during this pandemic.
Well said 👏 Do what you're told folks and help everyone trying to fight this virus. STAY AT HOME
Well said and a very reasonable approach. People always underestimate what can happen up the mountain from weather to terrain. Just everyone Stay at Home!
Stay Safe guys ...from a Community First Responder and NHS frontline worker
Very well said indeed. Hope everyone takes this advice seriously. As always thank you for all you do.
Stay safe team, if people get hurt then they will appreciate the risks more!
People should be banned from the Mountains and not put other people's lives at risk! Simple!
Please everyone take this advice from MMRT you may miss the mountains but they will always be there,if we don't take responsibility some of our family or friends might not ,
Stop being so selfish people. Stay at home. Thats all you have to do to save lives. Its not rocket science.😡
This is totally the right approach. 100% with you on this!
Well put. Suggest if you want to go climbing the rocks or the mountains then put your gear on and use your stairs at home!
Well said, totally understandable. Hopefully people will pay heed.
Tried to say this to some hill walkers and got a mouth full.some Walker's just don't care .
do people call 999/mountain rescue when they are lost, 'walking wounded' and even worse, if uninjured?! that's absurd, coronavirus or not
Well said, time for the mountains when 'normality' returns. Stay safe all 🙏
Think it would be best if everyone just stayed away from the mountains and not put you guys in that situation!!
Well Said Guys , it's a pity the selfish fools wont take notice
That should be the guidelines anyway!
Photos from Garda Siochana Wicklow's post
Stephen Keighery
Joan Brady
Some f*cking morons spoil it for all of us. Add a crazy waste of Garda manpower.
Search dog Murphy is taking a well earned rest day at home today after a busy callout yesterday evening. What a good girl! 😍 show us how your dogs are spending their Sunday!
You can see that lots of our handler’s dogs have very comfortable places to chill!
Stay home. Stay safe. 🐕
Its a Dogs life .... for me too 🤣🤣 happy sunday
Must be a setting on the page, cant add photos. But well done all the Sarda dogs!
Brilliant shots !! 👍
How do we add photos ?
SLMRT COVID-19 Statement:
As the Team Leader of Sligo/Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team, I wish to share an important update regarding our operational procedures and how these will impact the delivery of our search and rescue service across counties Sligo and Leitrim during the current public health emergency.
As a voluntary frontline emergency service, we are committed to serving our community and saving lives in the mountains. However, given the tangible threat that Covid-19 poses to public health in Ireland at present, we find ourselves in unchartered waters. We must continuously review and adapt our operational procedures to reflect the most up-to-date public health advice from the Health Service Executive (HSE).
With the high volumes of people observed on Irish mountains over the last week, and given the current climate in relation to Covid-19, Sligo/Leitrim MRT must make a number of difficult choices relating to the way in which we operate. It pains me to have to implement these measures, but, given this unprecedented public health crisis, I do so in the knowledge that it is the right thing to do at this time.
When tasking the Team to an incident, our first priority has to be the safety of Team members and their families. We are all volunteers, many of whom live with and care for 'vulnerable' people at home and in our working lives.
If you call 999/112 and ask for Mountain Rescue, we will do absolutely everything in our power to assist, however...
- If you are NOT injured but lost or caught out in sudden inclement weather or with darkness approaching, you may be asked to consider waiting until morning, and/or better visibility to extricate yourself from the mountain.
- If you are 'walking wounded' you may be asked to consider extricating yourself from the mountain.
- If you are seriously injured, and/or not physically able to get yourself off the hill, we will attend with the absolute minimum of team members needed to complete the task. Because of this, the evacuation will be less straightforward and the overall time to transport you to medical attention will likely be much longer.
- We will attend any missing persons call we receive but, again, may have to consider doing so with a reduced number of Team members in order to be able to observe HSE guidelines.
Helicopter support will only be requested if a time critical injury is sustained.
As I say, everthing in our power will be done to assist you in getting out of the mountains, but please bear in mind that this may involve communicating remotely - ie, via mobile phone.
While contrary to everything Sligo/Leitrim MRT believe in, these measures are necessary to protect Team members and their families at this time.
Covid-19 is a very serious threat and we would strongly encourage members of the public to really step up to the mark in order to limit the spread of the virus. Government guidelines have been very clear about physical distancing. However, many people have chosen to ignore this, putting everyone at risk. By its very nature, mountain rescue requires close contact between both rescuers and casualty, exposing everyone to the risk of infection. Remember, we could also infect you! Our already over-burdened frontline medical personnel do not need or want any avoidable hospital admissions over this difficult period.
Sligo/Leitrim MRT are asking the public to please consider foregoing their enjoyment of the upland and mountainous area of our beautiful counties for the moment and to strictly observe the HSE's public health advice regarding social distancing. Otherwise, there may come a time when the team may not be able to respond at all.
For the latest public health advice, please visit:
www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
Let's all put our shoulder to the wheel now and do our bit. Be Responsible, Stop the Spread!
Remember, the mountains will always be there!
Is mise le meas,
Ciarán Davis
SLMRT Team Leader
www2.hse.ie
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.Absolutely right. Too many people taking unnecessary risks.
Stay off the blooming mountain. Keep our rescue people safe too
100% Agree. Stay Safe SLMRT we will still need you when this thing has passed.
Remember the mountains have been there for a long time, they’re not going anywhere and we will all have a newfound appreciation for them when we do get back out there.
Stay safe, stay at home, take care.
SEMRA were tasked by AGS at 17:49 this evening to search for a walker who had become disoriented while walking in the woods at Clogheen. Search and Rescue Dog Association (Ireland) search dog Murphy with handler Eadaoin were dispatched along with 3 SEMRA 4WDs to search the forest tracks & trails. The walker was found safe and well at 20:20 and was handed over to AGS at 20:59 for transport home.
No matter the circumstance, bless the hearts of those involved in SEMRA and the safe recovery of this walker.
Well done team
Glad walker is safe, well done Semra 😊
Thankfully a happy outcome. Maybe ease off on the judgemental comments without knowing what the circumstances were. Could be any of a multitude of reasons. I love the way the rescue teams themselves are never judgemental.
What about the 2 mile from home limit, selfish to have the rescue crew out looking for her but glad she was found safe
A lot of people having to leave their homes for this . Can walkers not stay in familiar areas for their 2km.
Grossly unfair behaviour on behalf of that walker on so many grounds. Do people not understand the seriousness of this? Well done SEMRA👍
Well done SEMEA. Walkers stay within 2km these people have enough to be dealing with.
Oh shut up all the critics ffs.. I got lost in Rossmore Park in Monaghan around 10yrs ago!! Took me around 3hours to find my way out!!..😂😂 It Happens!!!
Guys before all you keyboard warriors condemn this person please remember (1) that is the purpose of the SEMRA and well done to them. (2) We are as you are all aware in very challenging and life changing times the effects of Covid 19 brings extreme challenges to different types of people,Mental Health has a big part to play in this so who knows the strain a person who has got disoriented in the woods might be going through. In your own perfect life point the finger, but do try to understand not everyone is you.
Can some of the people posting above who are saying this person should have been within the 2km please tell us how far they were from their home. I'm very interested how far away they actually were. Or is it just a case that they are making assumptions and actually know nothing about the circumstances.of this incident? #bekind
Well done. Don't be so quick to judge. Amazes me how we preach be kind but are straight on keyboards trolling and critizising. In the absence of facts as a front line worker I would support leaving it to the professionals 👌 perhaps if people engaged in productive activities they may have less time to critizise others. Going for a walk or cycle whatever alone is not breaking the rules or putting anyone at risk.
2 km from home and got lost, should pay full costs of rescue, well done semra 👏
How does anyone know the person wasn't within 2km of their home. For all the judgemental people on here/social media, I guess you've never broken any rules
Well done SEMRA. Thankfully a happy outcome. Hope the walker is ok.
Well done to the rescue team 😊😊
Well done to all involved in another successful rescue and to my sister Georgina 👍❤️❤️
There are more useful things to do than getting involved in “Trial by Facebook”. Try a few episodes of Judge Judy folks.
Thank god found safe and well. ❤❤
A complete and utter joke, 2km is 2km people!!
Glad the person is ok. Well done to you all.
Well done but ye should not have to do this. People stay at home.
Well done, bet some of ye were secretly delighted to be getting out of the house. If ye’re stuck please call me the2 km thing is killing me (slowly)
Well done to all involved SEMRA and SARDA....good outcome.
Well done Murphy.. and Eadaoin!! Great outcome..