In our website ‘News’ report on our attendance at the Thursday 6th August Greater Manchester Emergency Services Day 2015, we mentioned that during the day we were visited by three interested persons from ‘Handsfree,’ a Trafford Park, Manchester, based Vehicle Installation Technology Company.

They were particularly interested in our Volkswagen Crafter LWB Incident Control Vehicle, radio call sign ‘Bolton Mobile 6,’ and spent much time with our Deputy Team Leader Chris Greenhalgh, who explained its IT and Communications kit fitment.

It was quickly established that Chris Horrocks, Head of the Emergency Services Division at Handsfree was well known to Chris and our Team Leader Garry, when as a serving GMP Missing From Home Co-Ordinator at the time, he worked alongside the team in a search for a missing person in May 2006 in the Ashley area of north Cheshire.

After spending some time in the company of our Deputy Team Leader and Team Leader, asking many questions on the work of the team, all three from Handsfree made the very kind offer of supporting Bolton MRT by donating some equipment including free fitment, for our Incident Control Vehicle, namely a reversing camera system.

Today at our Ladybridge Hall Base / HQ, our Deputy Team Leader Chris Greenhalgh met with Nick Rudd, the Chief Engineer from Handsfree, who had very kindly agreed to come to our Bolton Base / HQ and fit a fantastic latest technology reversing camera system to our Incident Control Vehicle.

Not only did Nick supply and fit the reversing camera system, but aware that in discussions between Handsfree and our Deputy Team Leader Chris Greenhalgh, Chris had also mentioned we wished to fit a reversing warning exterior tone system to this same vehicle, Nick had kindly also brought along from Handsfree, such a system, which he also duly fitted.

Commencing mid morning today, all the installation work was completed very quickly and by early afternoon, our Incident Control Vehicle was fitted with both these fantastic pieces of donated equipment from Handsfree.

The reversing camera system presents a crystal clear and very sharp image, which is actually displayed within the rear view mirror fitting, with the camera itself forming an integral moulding within the roof mounted rear light fitting and will be a tremendous feature on our Incident Control Vehicle.

Similarly the ‘vehicle reversing’ exterior tone warning system will greatly enhance the safety aspects of persons around the vehicle whilst it is manoeuvring.

During the latter part of this kit fitment, by Chief Engineer Nick Rudd of Handsfree, Nick was joined by his colleague Chris Horrocks, who came along both to view the on going works and to be given a tour around our Ladybridge Hall Base / HQ by our Deputy Team Leader Chris Greenhalgh.

The entire membership of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team would like to extend its sincere thanks to all at Handsfree of Trafford Park, Manchester, for this truly fantastic and very supportive vital equipment donation, which has also included very generously completely free fitting.

Handsfree is a Fleet Communication / Driver Safety / Vehicle Technology Installation company, with premises at 6 Lumsdale Road, Cobra Court, Trafford Park, Manchester, M32 0UT. www.handsfree.co.uk/

The team is now arranging to present Handsfree with a plaque of appreciation as a goodwill gesture of our gratitude in regards to this much appreciated kind and very generous support shown to Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.