Ford over the falls

AS part of the Emergency Response team, Search and rescue ERT-SAR group based in Henley, six of the team, including Thame Station Officer, Andy Ford, went to Canada this month to train with a Canadian rescue organisation.
Andy told ThameNews.net all about it:
“We were there to train in High Angle Rope and SwiftWater rescue, and qualify as Instructors so that we can pass on these skills on our return to the UK. The trip was highlighted with visits to some of the specialist units in the Canadian Police, Fire and Medical organisations. The highlight of the trip was a day with the Niagara Falls High Angle River Rescue Team who really looked after us.
“We were taken on a helicopter ride over the area and then on the usual trips along the river on The Maid of the Mist. To finish off were given the opportunity to Abseil down the side of the Horse shoe Falls!!
“We were taken to a viewing area on the top of the falls where the Police had cordoned off the area and set-up. We ‘kitted up’ and climbed over the railings and abseiled down to the rocks below! It was amazing to get a real close-up view of the falls. you could see the underside of the thousands of gallons of water pouring over the edge.I couldn’t resist stopping halfway down and videoing the waterfall from such an unusual viewpoint!
!At the bottom we had to clamber up the rocks and climb back over the railings of the bottom public viewing area and catch the lift back to the top for another go. It was quite surreal standing by the lift in our gear, all-be-it a little damp, being looked at if we were mad by the visitors to the falls in their plastic shower coats.
“It was real experience one that wont be forgotten for a long time.”

The training will prove vital in the role of the team, which included As part of the Emergency Response team Search and rescue ERT-SAR group based in Henley, 6 of our team Andy Ford, Merv Redfern, Will Selley, Michael Eddie, Anna Todd and ERT Chief Gary Foo, went to Canada this month to train with a Canadian rescue organisation. We were there to train in High Angle Rope and SwiftWater rescue, and qualify as Instructors so we can pass on these skills on our return to the UK. The trip was highlighted with visits to some of the specialist units in the Canadian Police, Fire and Medical organisations. The highlight of the trip was a day with the Niagara Falls High Angle River Rescue Team who really looked after us. We were taken on a helicopter ride over the area and then on the usual trips along the river and on the Maid of the Mist but to finish off were given the opportunity to Abseil down the side of the Horse shoe Falls!!! We were taken to a viewing area on the top of the falls where the Police had cordoned off and area and setup. We kitted up and climbed over the railings and abseiled down to the rocks below!. It was amazing to get a real close-up view of the falls. you could see the underside of the thousands of gallons of water pouring over the edge. I could not resist stopping halfway down and videoing the waterfall from such an unusual viewpoint! At the bottom we had to clamber up the rocks and climb back over the railings of the bottom public viewing area and catch the lift back to the top for another go. It was quite surreal standing by the lift in our gear, all be it a little damp, being looked as if we were mad by the visitors to the falls in their plastic shower coats. It was real experience one that wont be forgotten for a long time.”

Andy added: “The training will prove vital in the role of the team on future UK or international rescue deployments and enhances what we are able to do.”

More information can be found on the website www.ert-sar.org.uk.

Photo: Thame Fire officer, Andy Ford, prepares to abseil down Horse shoe falls, in Canada.