Team history

The Dartmoor Rescue Group was started in 1968 in the Tavistock area when a small group of local moorland enthusiasts started helping the police with search and rescue on Dartmoor. In due course a recognised official team was formed. Currently the Group consists of four teams each one capable of functioning independently, plus the main "Original charity" which co-ordinates common training, equipment and communications issues plus it is the main contact point for organisations.  Normally two teams respond to callouts leaving two as a back up in case of an extended operation.

The "Dartmoor Rescue Group" is comprised of five charities:-

The main "Original" DARTMOOR RESCUE GROUP  charity No:- 286680, plus the four teams:-

DSRT (Ashburton)  Charity No:- 1106098,

DSRT (Okehampton) Charity No:- 1106096,

DSRT (Tavistock) Charity N0:- 1106094

and of course ourselves!!

The DRG survives solely on fundraising events run by the members and on donations. Sometimes organisations "adopt" teams for Fund raising over a period of time and we are most grateful for their support.

All team members provide their own personal equipment. The larger items such as vehicles, stretchers  and event team clothing are purchased with Group funds sometimes with the assistance of the Mountain Rescue England & Wales which is the national organisation.

The team works in conjunction with the Police, and all callouts are requested  by  them and they assess their need for assistance and, where necessary, contact the appropriate  DSRT Search Controller by telephone or pager. Currently each of the teams has approaching 50 members. No duty roster exists but all members, if available, respond at any time of the day or night to take part in search and rescue operations. A search teams will generally consist of up to eight people with a Search Team Leader and individuals nominated as Radio Operator, Navigator and First Aider, although all members are trained to undertake any task in a rescue operation. Several teams will normally be deployed at each callout.

The team also attend and assist with some of the annual events that take place on Dartmoor e.g. Ten Tors, the Lych Way Walk, the OATS Walk, the 12 Across and 2 Down walk and the Abbots Way Walk. In addition talks, demonstrations and training courses are arranged to inform and educate the public of all ages in the techniques of hill survival and safety. Some DRG team members also belong to SARDA (Search And Rescue Dogs Association) and provide dogs teams to work on call outs.

The DRG and all teams are affiliated to SWERA (SW England Rescue Association) and to Mountain Rescue England and Wales.

Our role has shifted over the last few years in that while rescues on the moors become fewer, more searches are undertaken in rural areas. Statistics show a widely fluctuating demand for our services over the years (see callout stats for 2006 here).

The badge and logo of our team. This is worn by all team members to tell you which team we are in

Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Plymouth)

Registered Charity Number 1106095