MONTH IN LIFE

THEY have been deployed 31 times in 31 days, each time to try to help a person in crisis, each crisis a desperate moment for their family and friends.

The men and women of the Community Search and Rescue teams were thanked once again today by the PSNI for their assistance during a search for a missing person who was found safe.

But there are times they do not get thanked, moments when everyone is simply too busy moving on to the next crisis to take a minute to reflect.

And while thanks is not something the volunteers of the community team seeks, it is richly deserved.

In tribute to their dedication to the work they carry out without pay or privilege, we reveal their hectic schedule over the past month.

Friday, November 30

Volunteers deployed at lunchtime to the Newtownards area to search for a high-risk missing person who was later located safe.

Teams were tasked in mid-afternoon to Portstewart. The missing person voluntarily went to the local hospital.

Community Rescue Service volunteer saves life of man in the Lagan.

Saturday, December 1

A Search and Rescue boat was launched and foot teams deployed at 3am to reports of a person who intended to enter the River Bann. They were brought to safety and taken to hospital.

Team sent to Strabane at 5am to search for another high-risk missing person who was found in a friend’s house.

Sunday, December 2

The first call came at 9pm to North Antrim to help search for a missing person who was located safe at 10.30pm.

Monday, December 3

Volunteers deployed to Lisburn at 2.30am following reports of a missing person who was located safe as teams arrived on the scene.

Tuesday, December 4

Teams deployed to the Cookstown area to search for a missing person. Intensive searches were carried out and teams stood down after midnight.

Wednesday, December 5

Volunteers redeployed to the Cookstown area to resume the search. A body was located in the early afternoon believed to be that of the missing person.

Other members deployed at 10am to the Bangor area to search for a missing 16-year-old. Searches continued into the evening when teams were stood down while police carried out investigations.

Thursday, December 6

Team tasked to the north coast to assist in searching for a missing person who was later located safe.

Sunday, December 8