In common with many other MRTs, Keswick has chosen to stay with the Land Rover Defender for its front line response vehicles. Whilst there is plenty of choice in the 4x4 market these days, we still find that the Defender is unbeatable in terms of its ability to get to places whatever the weather and terrain!
The current pair of Land Rovers, which go under the call signs of “Mobile” and “Echo” were bought in 2002 following a large bequest to the Team, and were specially adapted by Hadwins of Torver. The specification for both vehicles is identical, and the layouts are the same, so drivers don’t have to adapt at all. For the technically minded, the following list shows the amount of modification to each vehicle.
Base Vehicle - Land Rover TD5 LWB Station Wagon, with six seats and a windowless rear section. Painted in Team livery – white, with a Glasurite fluorescent red roof.
Internal changes:
External:
The Team has now (July 2009) taken delivery of its new Ambulance / Personnel Carrier. We spent a lot of time researching a new vehicle to replace our ageing Ford Transit, which had served us well for 11 years, but was beginning to show its age. A Vehicle Replacement Group was appointed to head up the project, and it was decided at a fairly early stage that we would retain the kind of layout internally we had with the Transit, as this has worked well.
After considerable research, and trials with the assistance of Mercedes Benz GB, it was agreed that the base vehicle would be a Mercedes Sprinter 4 x 4 Medium wheelbase window van, supplied by Ciceley Commercials at Carlisle. This was converted by Allan Smallwood conversions at Barnoldswick, with help from John Young Auto-Electrics, to provide us with a 9-seater ambulance which can carry patients in reasonable comfort, either on a stretcher or sitting. It can also double as a personnel carrier for Team members.
For the technically minded:
Base Vehicle: Mercedes 315 medium wheelbase window van, with a 150bhp common rail turbo diesel engine, 6 speed lower ratio gearbox, and a sophisticated electronically controlled 4 wheel drive system. This has a Hill Descent mode to enable the vehicle to descend steep slopes in a controlled way with minimal intervention from the driver. The passenger compartment has the benefit of diesel powered space heating.
The Conversion: This is arranged with 9 forward facing seats, and a platform for a mountain rescue stretcher. One of the seats near the head end of the stretcher is designed to be used by a doctor or paramedic, and can be swivelled to face the patient. The stretcher base section can also accommodate a number of rucsacs and additional bags for equipment. There are many underseat storage boxes, and nets to ensure that all the small paraphernalia like maps, food, flares, medical gloves etc can be stored safely. Oxygen and Entonox cylinders are carried,as well as extensive First Aid equipment.
The Electrics and Communications equipment formed a large part of the build cost. The vehicle has twin high capacity batteries to power all the ancilliary equipment. All lighting is LED based to save on power. The radio system incorporates a Clarke extending radio mast, radios to communicate with both team members and air assets, and a GPS tracking system. Blue lights and sirens are fitted in accordance with its status as an Ambulance, and the layout of these have been designed to provide maximum visibility on narrow valley roads.
The Sprinter runs on BF Goodrich All Terrain Mud and Snow tyres to give it adequate grip in the wet and muddy conditions we often encounter. The colour scheme follows the Team’s standard livery, with some extra conspicuity striping to make it stand out.
We feel that it is the perfect replacement for Transit, which is now being donated to North of Tyne Rescue Team free of charge to supplement their fleet.
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New Vehicles for 5 Teams! |
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In June 2002, the Team formally commissioned 2 new rescue Land Rover 110 Td5 Station Wagons. These vehicles cost £30,000 each and they were supplied and customised by Lakeland Land Rover (Torver) Ltd. Their purchase was been facilitated by a significant bequest from Miss Olga Iredell, a former Keswick resident. The renewal of the existing vehicles, which were 13 and 11 years old respectively, had previously been postponed beyond their scheduled replacement, firstly because the Team had to ensure that their new Headquarters was fully funded, then because they were felt to be still in good repair. The replacement was finally delayed again because of fundraising concerns due to visitor shortfall during the foot and mouth crisis. The Rescue Team was delighted that the size of Miss Iredell's bequest allowed them to pass on their older, but well-maintained and still serviceable, vehicles free of charge to Edale MRT in the Peak District and Kintail MRT in the Western Highlands of Scotland. Benefits of such co-operation were spread even further as Edale MRT are in turn handed on their LDV Crew Bus to North of Tyne Search and Rescue Team in the North East.
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All Teams, and representatives from Lakeland Land Rover attended a Commissioning/Handover ceremony at Keswick MRT's Headquarters on 9 June, 2002. Keswick Mountain Rescue Team responds to around 70 callouts each year, being one of the busiest rescue teams in the country. They cover over 400 square kilometres, three of the highest mountains in England, and one third of the tops mentioned in Wainwright's Guides. Reliable four-wheel drive vehicles are essential for transporting members and equipment over rough tracks to valley heads. Mountain Rescue Teams are entirely funded by voluntary contributions and all contributions are gratefully received. The Team Leader, Mark Hodgson, expressed the gratitude of his members to the family and executors of the late Miss Iredell, Lakeland Land Rover Ltd for the customization of the vehicles, Land Rover plc for supplying to Lakeland Land Rover at 4% discount, and B F Goodrich who supplied All Terrain tyres for the new vehicles at a substantial discount. (Report from the Keswick Reminder)
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