ESSEX: Fire service to send out rescue experts to Indonesian

[Daryl]

ESSEX: Fire service to send out rescue experts to Indonesian earthquake zone retrieved from http://www.harlowherald.co.uk/content/hlwherald/news/story.aspx?brand=HLHOnline&category=NewsHarlow&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestHLH&itemid=WEED02%20Oct%202009%2009%3A36%3A36%3A230

A TEAM of rescue experts from Essex is due to fly out to Indonesia to help with the international search and rescue operation.

The seven-strong team - which includes the dog team (handler and Darcy the rescue dog) - is due to fly to the island in the next 24 hours as part of the British contingent of the search and rescue effort.

The team left ECFRS' Hutton base at 9pm last night (Thursday) and convened with the other UK teams at 10pm for a briefing at Horley Fire Station, West Sussex.

ACFO Gordon Hunter said: "This is exactly the type of eventuality that the specialist team is trained for. We are proud that we are able to offer our expertise to an international rescue operation.

"We are sending out a very experienced group of ECFRS officers to work with rescue teams in the disaster area to help find survivors of the earthquake. The team is trained in emergency search and rescue techniques and will work with the Government of Indonesia to help with life saving and recovery operations.

"Everything these officers learn they will be able to bring back to Essex to be used in protecting local communities as part of our resilience arrangements."

This morning (Friday) the team was still on standby in the UK awaiting the arrival of a plane to take them from Gatwick to Indonesia. The original aircraft, scheduled to take them had a technical fault during the early hours and new flight arrangements are being looked at for the team to travel within the next 24 hours.

[Daryl]

also reported here http://www.saffronwaldenreporter.co.uk/content/saffron/news/story.aspx?brand=SAFOnline&category=NewsSaffron&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestSAF&itemid=WEED02%20Oct%202009%2011%3A27%3A15%3A683

[Daryl]

also reported here http://www.dunmow-broadcast.co.uk/content/dunmow/news/story.aspx?brand=SAFOnline&category=NewsDunmow&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestDUN&itemid=WEED02%20Oct%202009%2011%3A27%3A15%3A683

[Judith]

Update on this one - Darcy is now back in the country but stuck in 6 months' quarantine:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/8306976.stm

Several campaigns launched to try and get her freed - search for Free Darcy on Facebook or go to Essex County Fire & Rescue Service: http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/pages/index.asp?area=4&id=381

[JennyP]

There is a government petition to change the rules for search dogs for anyone interested.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/FreeDarcy/sign