About Foyle Search And Rescue
THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE, IN AND AROUND THE RIVER FOYLE
Foyle Search And Rescue Description
Foyle Search and Rescue is a registered, voluntary based search and rescue charity, operating in Derry /Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Foyle Search and Rescue was set up by local people in 1993 in response to the alarmingly high number of drownings in the river (30 within 18 months) and has adopted the role of preventing suicide and supporting families in the City. Foyle Search and Rescue strive to reduce the numbers of suicides through drowning and also improve volunteering numbers, capability, inclusion and cohesion within these areas. As an organisation we work closely with other public and community bodies to improve the service that is provided on prevention, intervention, postvention and educational scales.
Our volunteers are from the local community and selflessly give up hours of their personal time every week to help those in need. We patrol the river on Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights, identified peak times of need, from 9. 30pm to 3. 00am, engaging with people in distress, maintaining lifebelts and saving lives. We operate an emergency pager crew who are on call 24hrs per day and also have a body recovery team who search for any person missing in the river and recover the body with the greatest dignity. We facilitate the North West Bereaved by Suicide Support Group for families and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide and are also involved in education on water safety and suicide awareness within our local community. We are a unique Charity in what we do and we are not restricted to helping one group of people – we help everyone who needs us regardless of age, gender, religion, race or background.
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Foyle Search & Rescue would like to thank Jet Products in Sion Mills for there continuing support of our Charity. This is very much appreciated at this time of high activity where our PWC are essential to our operations.
PUBLIC SEARCH SAFETY NOTICE Your own personal safety is of the highest importance. Please take notice of the following FSR safety Guidelines when searching:
1. Always stay in a group.... 2. Carry a mobile phone. 3. Be careful along the rivers edge & DO NOT enter the Glar/mud. You may become stuck & need rescued. 4. DO NOT cross over or lean over, any railings riverside, under any circumstances. 5. DO NOT cross over onto, or walk along, Rail Tracks. 6. In the event of finding any items of clothing etc, please do not touch or remove. Please contact the PSNI on 101 who will in turn alert Foyle Search & Rescue. 7. Please wear appropriate clothing & footwear for the weather conditions. 8. We highly recommend that if searching wear high Vis clothing to be easily identifiable. 9. Please be mindful of the fact that the River Bank is extremely hazardous after dark. Under NO circumstances should you search on your own! 10. You can search safely by staying in well illuminated areas, avoiding areas where there are no paths or street lighting.
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Vessel Reported in Distress: Today Thursday 1/11/18 Foyle Search & Rescues Pagers were activated at 05:18am by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to reports of a vessel in distress on the river. It was initially ascertained that the vessel had lost power was adrift and had 5 persons on board. Members of FSRs Emergency Response Teams were en route in freezing conditions to the last reported location of the vessel. ERT prepared on arrival for a transfer of crew and planned to place the vessel under tow. Foyle Search & Rescue Land crews responding in conjunction with the PSNI re established contact with the vessels coxwain. It was then ascertained that the vessel had drifted in to a safe harbour was sound and had moored up with all 5 crew on board accounted for safe & well. FSR Emergency Response Teams were then stood down.
Appreciation to all of Foyle Search & Rescue Volunteers who contributed their time & energy to Safety cover during this evenings fantastic event in the city. Ensuring the Safety of the Public on shore and Boats,crews. Canoes/Kayaks and fireworks display personnel on water. Thank You !
CALL OUT: At 04:05 am this morning Foyle Search and Rescue were tasked by the PSNI to an incident. Our volunteers were assisted soon after by the Irish Coastguard Helicopter. This is now a Search operation for a missing person.
Shore Training FSR volunteers completed their mandatory Shore training for October today at our base. This months theme was First Aid and assisting Responders with advanced skills. Thank You to all our EFR assistant instructors & everyone who participated. Images FSR Media.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr John Boyle visited Oakgrove Integrated Primary School this week and spoke to P2 Pupils prior to a Water Safety presentation by Foyle Search & Rescue volunteers. The theme was PEOPLE WHO HELP and the school had been visited earlier in the week by the PSNI,NIAS and NIFRS. Our Message when near water is to stay SAFE with four main points.. 1. STOP & THINK (is it safe to swim ) 2. STAY TOGETHER (Always go with an adult)... 3.LEARN TO FLOAT( Practise floating in the swimming pool) 4. IF YOU SEE SOMEONE IN TROUBLE CALL 999. The children enjoyed a mix of visual presentation,show and tell and had a lots of fun using the lifebuoy and throw lines and learning all about the Safety Flags and Life Guards. Thanks to the staff at Oakgrove for there invitation to attend this event and courtesy shown during our visit,we look forward to returning in 2019. Image used with Permission.
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Hey, check out the page below Argyle Hair & Beauty, a new salon opened in Argyle Terrace and they are hosting their launch night next Saturday 3rd November at 7pm and have chosen ourselves as their charity for their launch. We would like to thank them so much for their support to us and we would encourage everyone to pop in and say hello to the team in the salon on their launch night and support them. Good luck guys :)
On Friday 2nd November Retro Grade will be hosting a Journey To The 80s in the Nerve Centre, showing a kids movie during the day 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' and 18+ Double bill of 'The Lost Boys' and 'The Fly' Check out their page below for more details on tickets and times. We would like to wish them the best of luck with their event.
All the guys at jika jika are very supportive of fsr and have done some amazing fundraising for us the past few months we would love for everyone to show them some love and give them a vote.
https://www.facebook.com/111931132190740/ posts/2045048548878979/
What an exciting project for the city #foylereeds #foylebubbles
https://www.facebook.com/953729944757359/ posts/1793636004100078/
WITH ONLY 6 DAYS TO GO THE ORGANISERS OF THIS EVENT ARE STILL IN NEED OF 5 PEOPLE WHO WOULD DO A LIP SYNC BATTLE IN AID OF FOYLE SEARCH AND RESCUE..!!! THEY REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS AN AMAZING NIGHT AND IT WILL BE ... IF YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE UP FOR A LAUGH AND GOOD NIGHT AND WOULD LIKE TO BATTLE SEND A PM OR CONTACT Antionette Smith
these people do an amazing job they deserve all the help and support xx
keep up the good work and stay safe while doing an excellent job.
Vital service to this community heroes from the heart each and everyone involved in fsr
To all the Volunteers out on the Derry streets today, a big “Well Done”
It is not an easy task collecting on Flag Days. But in the cold and wet,
that was today, you are to be applauded.
And to Foyle Search and Rescue Team Members, Heros’ All.
They are fantastic people who help people in need and families who are left heartbroken.
These people belong to the special group of people who can truly be called heroes (and heroines)! The fact that they are all volunteers makes them even more special!
The staff could not have been more welcoming for our visit, and a great programme for our young age group. It was great to meet the amazing staff Thankyou again
The best part of this town!
Thank you for all the work you do, you are an amazing charity which Derry could not do without xxx
Outstanding work guys in a difficult fast flow river one of the fastest rivers in Europe and dangerous at all times
No words to say how utterly fantastic folye search and rescue are. No words I can put here can possibly say how much this city appreciates their brave and hard work. To find out all who work endlessly here to save lives at such a dramatic rate are volunteers I just have no words for. How so many wonderful people can come together and offer up their time to save so many people is something that warms my heart. I think Folye search and rescue are doing a very hard and emotional job to bring so many peoples family members home. Thank you for everything you all do, and god bless you. I wish I could give a million stars you deserve it. Keep up the great work in finding Jack. Respect.
My son and I had a fantastic tour and my wee boy even played dress up lol.. these group of volunteers are irreplaceable and we can't do without this service... donations are always used to their maximum.. so let's keep helping them, supporting them and thanking them.
Fantastic group of people who voluntarily take on a very challenging role within our community. Can't speak highly enough of these guys. Had an excellent morning with some of the guys today , very informative session, delivered by the a very friendly welcoming and enthusiastic team
Thanks for everything. Keep up the excellent work !
Brilliant visit to FSAR today thanks to everybody for the visit, presentation and boat trip. Great experience for all our group, everybody really enjoyed it and learned a lot.
An exceptional band of volunteers, each and every one of them deserves ctedit and respect for what they do
An amazing Rescue charity on our doorstep, professionally trained volunteers ready to drop everything to go and help a person in or around the river both near and far..
Amazing love the time people spend on it to help family x
A pleasure to celebrate 25th Anniversary with you guys at THE EVERGLADES HOTEL . A FANTASTIC BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN ON ROOM . Thank you forbooking us for your event .
A fantastic body of volunteers who give their time and compassion selflessly, in the service of all those in times of need. They serve their communities, without prejudice and deliver an lifesaving service fro those in times of crisis. We may be down in Belfast, but have the utmost respect for the guys and girls of Foyle Search & Rescue and the outstanding work they do.
these people do an amazing job they deserve all the help and support xx
keep up the good work and stay safe while doing an excellent job.
Vital service to this community heroes from the heart each and everyone involved in fsr
To all the Volunteers out on the Derry streets today, a big “Well Done”
It is not an easy task collecting on Flag Days. But in the cold and wet,
that was today, you are to be applauded.
And to Foyle Search and Rescue Team Members, Heros’ All.
They are fantastic people who help people in need and families who are left heartbroken.
These people belong to the special group of people who can truly be called heroes (and heroines)! The fact that they are all volunteers makes them even more special!
The staff could not have been more welcoming for our visit, and a great programme for our young age group. It was great to meet the amazing staff Thankyou again
The best part of this town!
Thank you for all the work you do, you are an amazing charity which Derry could not do without xxx
Outstanding work guys in a difficult fast flow river one of the fastest rivers in Europe and dangerous at all times
No words to say how utterly fantastic folye search and rescue are. No words I can put here can possibly say how much this city appreciates their brave and hard work. To find out all who work endlessly here to save lives at such a dramatic rate are volunteers I just have no words for. How so many wonderful people can come together and offer up their time to save so many people is something that warms my heart. I think Folye search and rescue are doing a very hard and emotional job to bring so many peoples family members home. Thank you for everything you all do, and god bless you. I wish I could give a million stars you deserve it. Keep up the great work in finding Jack. Respect.
My son and I had a fantastic tour and my wee boy even played dress up lol.. these group of volunteers are irreplaceable and we can't do without this service... donations are always used to their maximum.. so let's keep helping them, supporting them and thanking them.
Fantastic group of people who voluntarily take on a very challenging role within our community. Can't speak highly enough of these guys. Had an excellent morning with some of the guys today , very informative session, delivered by the a very friendly welcoming and enthusiastic team
Thanks for everything. Keep up the excellent work !
Brilliant visit to FSAR today thanks to everybody for the visit, presentation and boat trip. Great experience for all our group, everybody really enjoyed it and learned a lot.
An exceptional band of volunteers, each and every one of them deserves ctedit and respect for what they do
An amazing Rescue charity on our doorstep, professionally trained volunteers ready to drop everything to go and help a person in or around the river both near and far..
Amazing love the time people spend on it to help family x
A pleasure to celebrate 25th Anniversary with you guys at THE EVERGLADES HOTEL . A FANTASTIC BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN ON ROOM . Thank you forbooking us for your event .
A fantastic body of volunteers who give their time and compassion selflessly, in the service of all those in times of need. They serve their communities, without prejudice and deliver an lifesaving service fro those in times of crisis. We may be down in Belfast, but have the utmost respect for the guys and girls of Foyle Search & Rescue and the outstanding work they do.
these people do an amazing job they deserve all the help and support xx
keep up the good work and stay safe while doing an excellent job.
Vital service to this community heroes from the heart each and everyone involved in fsr
To all the Volunteers out on the Derry streets today, a big “Well Done”
It is not an easy task collecting on Flag Days. But in the cold and wet,
that was today, you are to be applauded.
And to Foyle Search and Rescue Team Members, Heros’ All.
They are fantastic people who help people in need and families who are left heartbroken.
These people belong to the special group of people who can truly be called heroes (and heroines)! The fact that they are all volunteers makes them even more special!
The staff could not have been more welcoming for our visit, and a great programme for our young age group. It was great to meet the amazing staff Thankyou again
The best part of this town!
Thank you for all the work you do, you are an amazing charity which Derry could not do without xxx
Outstanding work guys in a difficult fast flow river one of the fastest rivers in Europe and dangerous at all times
No words to say how utterly fantastic folye search and rescue are. No words I can put here can possibly say how much this city appreciates their brave and hard work. To find out all who work endlessly here to save lives at such a dramatic rate are volunteers I just have no words for. How so many wonderful people can come together and offer up their time to save so many people is something that warms my heart. I think Folye search and rescue are doing a very hard and emotional job to bring so many peoples family members home. Thank you for everything you all do, and god bless you. I wish I could give a million stars you deserve it. Keep up the great work in finding Jack. Respect.
My son and I had a fantastic tour and my wee boy even played dress up lol.. these group of volunteers are irreplaceable and we can't do without this service... donations are always used to their maximum.. so let's keep helping them, supporting them and thanking them.
Fantastic group of people who voluntarily take on a very challenging role within our community. Can't speak highly enough of these guys. Had an excellent morning with some of the guys today , very informative session, delivered by the a very friendly welcoming and enthusiastic team
Thanks for everything. Keep up the excellent work !
Brilliant visit to FSAR today thanks to everybody for the visit, presentation and boat trip. Great experience for all our group, everybody really enjoyed it and learned a lot.
An exceptional band of volunteers, each and every one of them deserves ctedit and respect for what they do
An amazing Rescue charity on our doorstep, professionally trained volunteers ready to drop everything to go and help a person in or around the river both near and far..
Amazing love the time people spend on it to help family x
A pleasure to celebrate 25th Anniversary with you guys at THE EVERGLADES HOTEL . A FANTASTIC BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN ON ROOM . Thank you forbooking us for your event .
A fantastic body of volunteers who give their time and compassion selflessly, in the service of all those in times of need. They serve their communities, without prejudice and deliver an lifesaving service fro those in times of crisis. We may be down in Belfast, but have the utmost respect for the guys and girls of Foyle Search & Rescue and the outstanding work they do.