July 24, 2023
A substantial grant awarded by Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by Electricity North West Ltd has enabled Penrith Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) to invest in more effective communications for key parts of its extensive North East Cumbria region. The Primetech mobile satellite communication system will now be used in searches, rescues and major incidents whenever standard communication networks are not available. The satellite equipment will come into its own in several parts of the extensive area covered by Penrith MRT where a mobile phone signal is weak or absent and where radio communication is difficult. “We have significant comms challenges in a couple of key areas for call-outs,” says Penrith MRT Comms Officer, Dale Longson. “For instance, around Mardale Head has poor signals but we are frequently called out to the Coast to Coast path above Haweswater. Similarly, the back, or eastern, side of Cross Fell and the North Pennines is notoriously bad for communication signals but is another regular incident location for the team. This new equipment will improve the comms amongst the team members on the ground and also back to our Penrith Base or mobile incident control.” It is hoped that Primetech’s mobile VSAT system will also fill the breach during major incidents, such as flooding and severe storms, when mobile phone masts are damaged and the normal signal goes down, as happened during Storm Arwen in November 2021. By ensuring a continued signal, the new system will enable the Team to continue to operate effectively. Team member Gerry Rusbridge put together the grant application: “Everyone involved in the Team would like to thank Electricity North West and Cumbria Community Foundation for the generosity that has funded this step up in our operational communications capability. It will help us work more safely, be a huge benefit for our casualties too, and in major incidents improve critical wider community communications” ENDS Photo Caption: Penrith Mountain Rescue Team’s Comms Officer, Dale Longson with the Primetech mobile satellite communication system set up at Mardale Head near Haweswater. Note to Editors: The grant to Penrith MRT is Award Ref 24323 from the Cumbria Community Foundation. Penrith Mountain Rescue Team has 40 members, all of whom are volunteers. They are available 24/7 for 365 days in the year. In 2022 the Team responded to 39 call outs; the total for 2021 was 45. Its ability to operate relies on donations. The area covered extends from the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District around Haweswater, across to the North Pennines and Cross Fell, and all the way up to the Scottish border, accounting for about 1600sq miles. Further information about Penrith MRT is online at https://www.penrithmrt.org.uk/. For further media information and additional images please go to https://www.penrithmrt.org.uk/contact
