This afternoon, seven team members in two of our new Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulance vehicles, visited the purpose built and very impressive newly opened Trafford Park Base / HQ of the Ambulance HART team that is one of two such teams operating within the whole NWAS area. (Cheshire, Merseyside, Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria)

The other such team being co-located with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in Croxteth, Liverpool.

We were made most welcome by Joe Barrett, Head of Special Operations, who outlined the work, role and responsibilities of the HART team, and then went on to give us a conducted tour of their Trafford Park facility, and the numerous specialist vehicles and equipment based there.

All our members were very impressed with the facility, and the careful thought that had very obviously gone into the design of the building.

Equally impressive was the range of vehicles and equipment available to the HART personnel, including training equipment and related facilities.

Our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE also spoke at length with Simon Watson, HART Training Manager, about joint training opportunities and possibilities, particularly given we both co-respond and work together on a number of incidents.

After looking over their facilities, it was the on site HART Team members turn to be impressed with us, when we demonstrated our two vehicles present and the equipment they contained.

The seven team members present would like to thank Joe and Simon, plus all the other HART team members present for their hospitality and genuine interest in mutual working.

A further visit is being planned for the rest of the team membership to visit the HART team at Trafford Park.