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December 2004Welcome to the December edition of our press newsletter from IRC. Its that time of year when everyone is racing around Christmas shopping and preparing for the big day and well earned rest – lets hope this year that will come to fruition for members of IRC (last boxing day we flew off to Iran due to the devastating earthquake which hit the country). So Happy Christmas and Happy New Year everyone where ever you are and whatever you are doing! Lifesavers Award
-experiences from the big day The International Rescue Corps is an independent (i.e. non-governmental funded) United Nations Registered disaster rescue service with an accredited Open College qualification in Urban Search and Rescue. Being a charity IRC is supported entirely by donations from the public and sponsorship from industry. Currently IRC members are unpaid volunteers and all the IRC’s services are provided free of charge, our aim is purely to save life. Lifesavers award – experiences from the big dayFollowing the Lifesavers awards ceremony on Nov 11th 4 members of IRC and their partners were buzzing from the experience. A glittering ceremony culminated in Simon Weston presenting the team with their award. One of the team – Derek summed up the event:- "When I was initially told that the International Rescue Corps (IRC) had been nominated for a ‘Life savers Award’, I was surprised, but very proud of the team. When I was informed that I’d been chosen to be part of the group going to receive the award I was pretty gob smacked. Urban Search and Rescue is not normally a glamorous occupation; it tends to be cramped, dusty, dangerous and often terrifying. An invite to the Savoy Hotel on the Strand is not generally what the average Search and Rescue worker expects as part of the deal. Average, however is how I feel. The four of us who attended the ‘2004 Life Savers Awards’, do not see ourselves as anything special – there were hundreds of people involved in the Search and Rescue operation after the Stockline Plastics Factory collapse in May 2004. Hopefully the four of us from the IRC have been worthy representatives both for the IRC and the numerous organisations who attended the above disaster. The two days we stayed in London for the award ceremony were amazing. We arrived at the Savoy on the 10th of November. Just being given the opportunity to stay there was a once in a lifetime experience – not the sort of thing one usually does on a paediatric nurse’s wage. I couldn’t help feeling just a wee bit guilty when I thought how much gear IRC could buy with the money that was being spent on us. That feeling didn’t last long however and I soon got used to the decadence. That night I was treated to one of the most comfortable nights sleep I’ve ever had – not our usual IRC tent and roll mat. I could have stayed in bed all day but there were more treats in store. Firstly we had a leisurely swim in the pool – then we had a fabulous breakfast – oh and then we nipped out to meet the Prime Minister for morning tea. Going to Number 10 was another lifetime first and probably last, so a real treat. We chatted to numerous celebs my favourite being Simon Weston – someone who is a real inspiration and a very down to earth and genuine bloke. Having said our goodbyes to Tony and Cheri we headed off back to the Savoy where we met up with our respective partners and around 300 celebrities for a gala luncheon – and before you say it, ‘There’s nout wrong wi gala luncheons’, (Python circa 1970). When we sat down and were shown all the other lifesavers re-enactments I felt humbled and a little fraudulent being in such company. The whole experience was really overwhelming. I think I spent most of that time with tears, in my eyes or, freely tumbling down my face. No amount of counselling could have prepared me for that. All too soon it was our turn to be up on stage and having just watched our own re-enactment I was still getting myself together. All I kept thinking was ‘Don’t fall up the steps – especially as you have a kilt on.’ I was really chuffed to see that Simon Weston was waiting to present us with our award. I’d like to thank everyone at This Morning, The Daily Express and Vodafone (my wife is delighted with the phone) for this amazing experience. It was an honour to receive the 2004 Life Savers Award on behalf of the IRC, especially once we’d met the other winners and heard their stories. Cheers! Derek Jolly (IRC) " Stockline Plastics disaster follow-upAs you know the Corps played a part in the rescue attempt at the Stockline Plastic Factory explosion and helped members of the Fire brigade to successfully release the woman who was trapped. That particular woman is called Linda and I have been in touch with her recently. She is a very brave lady and is still recovering from her injuries. The letter below says it all:- I thought perhaps you might like an update on my progress. I can now use crutches and the hospital bed and a whole host of other aids have now been removed. I can manage the stairs and sleep in my own bed – sheer bliss. The first night I managed to do this I sent a text message to all my friends saying “lying in my own bed watching TV with a glass of chilled white wine in hand” – they are all amazed at my progress, although for me it is still too slow. My right leg still has fractures in the tibia and fibula, and I have been told that if there is no improvement by my next visit to Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 26 January, I will require further surgery. I am disappointed at the slow progress especially as further invasive surgery will delay plastics surgery, not to mention the fact I am such a coward and the thought of surgery terrifies me... ...It goes without saying that you are all still very much in my thoughts, and I hope that you manage to have some much deserved time off from your duties over the festive period to enjoy yourselves. Please accept my very best wishes for a truly happy Christmas and wonderful New Year. Yours sincerely Raising FundsA woman, who sadly lost her husband in the Stockline disaster, raised the sum of £1,975.25. Along with her family and friends she recently completed the Great Scottish Fun Run and donated the cash raised to IRC. Included within this are two donations, one from the staff at The Bank of Scotland at Paisley Cross (£489.25) and one from The Metro Newspaper (£500). The Corps was sent a letter accompanying the donation and I have included a few quotes from it below. ...Hopefully the cheques can go toward the purchase of a new Rescue Ambulance... ...As stated I would like to take you up on the offer of a photograph of this vehicle when you finally reach your target, as I am sure my son will appreciate this in years to come... ...Once again I would like to thank you and your team for your dedication and professionalism last May in what were horrendous circumstances... I would like to thank this woman and her family for their fundraising efforts. The corps always believes that recovering a deceased person is just as important as finding someone alive – this makes us very humble and makes our work that little bit more worthwhile. THANK YOU! Hospital demolition generates local interestA small part of Yorkshire was in the local spotlight over the weekend of the 9th – 11th Dec. IRC managed to get permission to coordinate an exercise at the old Wharfedale General Hospital. The hospital is in the process of being demolished – this replicates the kinds of scenes IRC finds in an earthquake situation so it made a great site for training. On 9th Dec at 2200 hrs 18 members undertook an exercise within the shell of the hospital. The aim of the exercise was to simulate a collapsed building and allow members to utilise its skills and equipment to find people trapped within the building. The exercise finished at 1100 hrs on Sunday morning and a total of 15 casualities were found and taken out of the building (only pretend!). All members were put through their paces and thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. The local press turned up to take pictures of the event. A lot was learned by all and without the kind permission of HBG Construction the demolition company and the Leeds Teaching NHS Trust this would never have happened – I would like to take this opportunity to thank them. And if you live in the Otley area, look out for a feature in the Wharfedale Observer. Don’t forget our new promotional video and new brochureA new 12 minute promotional video is now available to promote the work and ongoing dedication of IRC. Members are able to use this for talks and lectures. A new brochure has been printed also. This can be downloaded on the ‘download’ section of the web site www.intrescue.org. Anyone wishing a hard copy of the brochure or a copy of the video (available
in CDROM, DVD and VHS formats) please contact Julie Ryan -
details below. In the next edition• IRC and Christmas If anyone has any more news please feel free to send me your article for the
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