Rayleigh’s MP Mark Francois last month recently visited the Essex Fire and Rescue Service’s Urban Search and Rescue Service (USAR) headquarters at Lexden, Colchester with local MEP Geoffrey Van Orden, in order to familiarise themselves with the team’s work.
The USAR team specialises in rescuing casualties from damaged or collapsed buildings in urban areas and is one of a number of such teams that were established around the country in the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings in London.
During the visit Mark experienced a selection of practice fire and rescue procedures, including a rehearsal by a dog specially trained for search and rescue operations, including finding people buried after an accident.
Commenting on the visit Mark said:
“I enjoyed my visit to the USAR team at Lexden and am impressed by the calibre of technology and skills of the fire-fighters concerned. It is reassuring to know that our County’s fire and rescue service now has this specialist capability at its disposal.”