Hampshire Search and Rescue
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| Formation | January 3, 2003 |
|---|---|
| Type | Registered charity |
| Registration no. | 1174085 |
Area served | Hampshire, England |
Members | 125 |
Key people | Chairman: Phil Harvey
Secretary: Stephen Baker Treasurer: Tim Leather |
Employees | 0 |
Volunteers | 125 |
| Award(s) | Queens Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) |
| Website | http://www.hantsar.org |
| Last update 22nd of January 2023 | |
Hampshire Search and Rescue (HANTSAR) is a Lowland Search and Rescue team based in Hampshire, United Kingdom and primarily provides a search and rescue capability to Hampshire Constabulary for high risk and vulnerable people who go missing. HANTSAR also supports the Hampshire Resilience Forum to provide resources to civil emergencies in the county. HANTSAR is a registered charity and in common with most UK SAR teams, HANTSAR members are all volunteers.
History[edit]
The organisation was originally set up in 2003[1] [2] by Catherine Crouch, a retained firefighter based at Lyndhurst, with assistance from Sgt. Colin White of Hampshire Constabulary. The first Chairman was Ian Bennett. Team meetings were originally held in the control building at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) in Lee-on-the-Solent. HANTSAR's first search was later that year. Sgt. Andy Turner, also of Hampshire Constabulary, became the team's main point of contact in the police and helped to get the team known within the police.
The organisation has grown in size since its formation, from around 24 operational members in 2004 to over 80 in 2022. 
HANTSAR is a full member team of the Association of Lowland Search and Rescue - ALSAR, commonly known as Lowland Rescue.[3]
HANTSAR volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year and can operate anywhere on the land and in the inland waterways of the county.[4]
Callouts and other support given to the community[edit]
HANTSAR is called out by Hampshire Constabulary when needed for a missing person search. Sometimes the team is asked to assist Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service with drone surveillance of fires. In addition to this the organisation can be utilised by the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) to provide other types of assistance. HANTSAR can also be called upon by sister Association of Lowland Search and Rescue - ALSAR teams to assist in other counties.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, HANTSAR provided assistance by distributing vital medical supplies to surgeries and care homes in the Portsmouth area; COVID testing lorry drivers at Portsmouth International Port and helping at various NHS vaccination centres as vaccinators and marshals.
In August 2022 HANTSAR was formally tasked by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum to take on the role of managing Spontaneous Volunteer Reception Centres in the event of civil emergencies.[5]
HANTSAR played a role in training and helping to set up Isle of Wight Search and Rescue (WIGHTSAR) between 2009 and 2011. The team was also asked to cover missing person searches in Surrey from early 2009 until Surrey Search and Rescue (SURSAR) was formed in 2011.
Training and equipment and specialist teams[edit]
HANTSAR members train regularly in subjects such as navigation, use of radios, search techniques, missing person behaviour, first aid, search planning and search management. Training takes place at various outdoor locations in the county and occasionally in classrooms or via online meetings. Training is carried out to Association of Lowland Search and Rescue - ALSAR national and accredited standards. The organisation has its own fully equipped Incident Control Unit vehicle and a four-wheeled drive support vehicle. Specialist teams include a water search and rescue team, a medical team, and a drone team.
Recognition and awards[edit]
HANTSAR received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service QAVS [6]in 2011 and was presented with the award by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Dame Mary Fagan, at an event in Crosfield Hall, Romsey on 3 September that year.
Following the support given to the local community during the COVID pandemic, the charity was nominated for and won a national health heroes award for "Most Inspired Health and Care Support by a UK Charity"[7] [8]. A group of members travelled to London to be presented with the award on 24 March 2022.
in common with their sister Association of Lowland Search and Rescue - ALSAR teams, certain qualifying members were honoured to be awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee [9] Medal in 2022, the medals being presented at a ceremony at the police training college at Netley in July 2022 by the Hon. Hugo [10] Cubitt DL.
Highlights[edit]
| Year | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Searches/Incidents | 14 | 30 | 19 | 31 | 18 | 27 | 43 | 33 | 66 | 38 | 33 | 48 | 53 | 62 | 54 | 75 | 81 | 96 | 82 | 83 | 0 |
| Other Support | 1 | 2,3 | 4 |
1 - Supported the NHS by providing transport to critical NHS staff during heavy snow in 2018. Hampshire Search and Rescue (HANTSAR) on Twitter: "Our 4x4 team is out in the rural areas of Winchester and Salisbury this morning. Conditions are challenging with deep snow, snow drifts and broken down cars. #newrouteneeded #247Volunteers #snowpatrols"[11]
2 - Provide PPE deliveries to the Care community for Portsmouth City Council[12]
3 - Provided a COVID testing service to cross-Channel lorry drivers at the Portsmouth International Port to meet the testing requirements of the European Union.[13]
4 - Supported the COVID vaccination program for Solent NHS Trust as part of the national vaccination programme.[14]
Fundraising and Events[edit]
HANTSAR relies on donations from the public, participation at local community events, partnerships with businesses and occasional grants to fund its operations.
HANTSAR can provide first aid cover and marshals and stewards for events such as running races, carnivals and firework displays. 
References[edit]
- ↑ "Meet the team of selfless volunteers helping to find missing people across Hampshire". The News (Portsmouth). 16 July 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ↑ "HAMPSHIRE SEARCH AND RESCUE - Charity 1098332". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ↑ "Member Teams". www.lowlandrescue.org. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ↑ "Organisation". Volunteer North Hampshire. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ↑ "International training for Hampshire and Isle of Wight search and rescue firefighters". Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ↑ "Awardees". Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ↑ "Volunteers Scoop National Award – Basingstoke Observer". www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ↑ "Search and rescue volunteers scoop national award for supporting vaccination rollout". Andover Advertiser. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ↑ "Platinum Jubilee Medal revealed". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ↑ Cubbit, Hugo (2023-01-24). "Person Page". thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ↑ HANTSAR. "Tweet Mar 3, 2018". Twitter. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ↑ Callingham, Fiona (2020-04-22). "Portsmouth council calls for more PPE equipment and stricter government guidelines". Portsmouth Evening News. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ↑ George, David (2020-12-29). "Thousands of Portsmouth lorry drivers rapid-tested for Covid-19 to prevent trade gridlock". Portsmouth Evening News. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
- ↑ HANTSAR.pdf (skillsforhealth.org.uk)
External links[edit]
- Official website
- Charity Commission. Hampshire Search and Rescue, registered charity no. 1174085. Search this book on
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