West Mercia Search and Rescue
West Mercia Search and Rescue, (formerly: West Midlands Search and Rescue) commonly abbreviated WMSAR, is a voluntary search and rescue organisation, working alongside West Mercia Constabulary, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service.The organisation responds to calls from any of the emergency services when required day or night. Actioning is normally through pager response from the emergency services.
WMSAR was formed from former members of Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue (MISAR).[1] It is principally based in Shropshire and Worcestershire with plans to expand in Herefordshire.[2]
The organisation is a registered charity [3] and its purpose is to provide back-up personnel to the official Emergency Services in a range of situations, including in particular searches for missing persons, and support at public events and during times of adverse weather conditions, natural disaster or civil emergency. WMSAR is a member of the Association of Lowland Search and Rescue (ALSAR), an organisation with more than 900 members nationwide providing assistance to Police authorities in searches for missing persons. WMSAR is a member of the West Mercia Local Resilience Forum County Volunteer Emergency Committee (CVEC).[4]
