The Brecon team covers the Brecon Beacons, along with other south Wales teams. Photo: Philip Halling CC-BY-SA-2.0
Police presented a team of volunteer mountain rescuers with a plaque in recognition of their service.
The Brecon Mountain Rescue Team also received a charitable donation and certificate of appreciation for their volunteer work in the community, which has totalled more than 2,000 hours so far this year.
Dyfed-Powys Police said it covered a wide range of incidents, but the award especially recognised the team’s water-based searches, in which they specialise.
A spokesperson said the voluntary emergency service has helped police and other partners for a number of years on a purely voluntary basis and has saved many hours of police time and assets, when operational demands place increasing pressure on dwindling resources and budgets.
Chief Constable Ian Arundale made the presentation at the team’s Brecon headquarters during which was introduced to members of their 47-strong crew by deputy team leaders Mark Jones and Dave Coombs. As part of the evening the mountain rescue team members then took part in an exercise simulating the River Usk flooding its banks in Brecon town centre, which involved testing procedures and communications.
Mr Arundale said: “Dyfed-Powys Police values the significant contribution made by volunteers to our service and the public. This includes our Specials, Volunteer Cadets and the BMRT and must not be taken for granted.”
Mark Jones of the mountain rescue team said: “Members of Brecon MRT greatly appreciated the recent visit by the chief constable and senior members of Dyfed Powys Police.
“While members willingly volunteer to assist lost and injured people in our community, this year has been a particularly difficult and demanding year and the team members are grateful to have their commitment acknowledged.
“We have an excellent working relationship with the officers of DPP that we work with on a day-to-day basis, none more so than Brecon based Inspector Andy Pitt and Chief Superintendent Steve Hughson, who made up part of the visiting delegation.
“The presentations made by Ian Arundale were very generous and gratefully received and it was very considerate of him to take time out of his busy schedule to visit us in Brecon.”
