F.A.Q. - South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association, Ireland
Contacting The Team
How do I contact Mountain Rescue in an emergency?
In an emergency Dial 112 or 999 and ask for 'Mountain Rescue'
How do I contact Mountain Rescue in a non emergency?
Email us at info@semra.ie
How do I enquire about joining the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association?
Email us at info@semra.ie
Area Of Prime Responsibility
What do you mean by 'Prime Responsibility'?
The Irish Mountain rescue Association and the Irish Coast Guard have assigned areas of the country to particular Mountain Rescue Teams.
What is SEMRA's area of prime responsibility?
The Mountains of the South East of Ireland, including:
- Blackstairs
- Comeraghs
- Galtees
- Knockmealdowns
- Slieve Blooms
Note that this area includes one of Ireland's 'Munros' - these are mountains that exceed three thousand feet.
About The Team
What size is the team?
The team size normally comprises 40 to 50 members.
Where is the team based?
The team is based in the major population centres of the South East, including Carlow, Clonmel, Dungarvan, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford.
What is a typical team member?
- There are no typical team members!
- They are drawn from all occupations.
- They are all aged over 18 years.
- They can be either female or male!
- They must be appropriately fit.
- They must be committed to the team's and their own development.
How necessary is the team?
- The team responds to about 15 to 30 Callouts Per annum.
- These callouts can last from one hour to more than a week.
- SEMRA also supports other MR Teams in Ireland.
Funding
What does it cost to run the team?
The budget of the team is about €40,000 per annum. This includes issues such as:
- Administration
- Training
- Equipment purchase & renewal
- Development
- Vehicle costs and maintenance
- Insurance
How is the team funded?
The team is funded through a combination of :
- Members' own funding of their and team activities.
- Government support received via the Department of Transport.
- Public contributions.
- Various Public bodies.
What Happens In A Callout?
What are the key stages in a callout?
- Alerts are received from the Gardai via a paging system.
- The appropriate response is identified and agreed between the Team, Gardai and other stakeholders.
- The response is executed.
- The response is continually monitored, adapted and updated as required.
- A search and / or recovery may be initiated.
- First Aid may be administered and an evacuation approach agreed.
- The casualties will assisted or recovered.
- All rescuers will be de-briefed.
- At the final conclusion the operation will be stood down.
Like all Official Search and Rescue services in Ireland SEMRA operates closely with An Garda Siochana (Irish Police Force) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
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