Hampshire Search and Rescue (HANTSAR) is a voluntary organisation which works alongside the police in searches for vulnerable missing persons in Hampshire, also offering support via Hampshire County Council for community resilience tasks.
To support the Hampshire communities throughout the pandemic HANTSAR worked with local and county councils to deliver PPE to care homes and other healthcare agencies, COVID swab testing of freight drivers at Portsmouth International Port, volunteering at the vaccination centres, fulfilling reception, outside marshal, chaperone, post-vaccination observation, clinical assessment and vaccinator roles.
Maria said “The team has provided outstanding support to communities across Hampshire during the pandemic. I applaud all their hard work and dedication to help in the drive to beat the virus.”
Vice Chairman Trevor said “ These have been extremely rewarding experiences, being part of the drive to beat the virus. As well as supporting the communities we have maintained our prime operational role, assisting the police with missing person searches. Last year we were called-out 96 times, our busiest year ever, and so far this year we have received 57 calls.”
Hampshire Search and Rescue (HANTSAR) is a voluntary organisation a group of like-minded individuals, all volunteers, who have been specifically trained in search and rescue techniques, working alongshore police in searching for vulnerable missing people in Hampshire..
HANTSAR are funded entirely by voluntary contributions and fund-raising efforts and everyone is welcome to apply to become a fully-fledged Search Technician. Members come from all walks of life and are aged from 18 - 80. The only requirement for operational membership is to be able to walk five miles in two hours. Membership is £15 a year for trainees and operational members and £7.50 for support members. A basic uniform is provided, but operational members provide much of their own equipment.
Find out more at https://hantsar.org/