JANUARY started as a busy period for the Mountain Rescue England and Wales team based in Okehampton, North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (“NDSART”), with two major incidents requiring the evacuation of members of the public in East Devon.

The incidents were a reminder that Mountain Rescue is more than mountains.

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue is so much more than Dartmoor. It is there for the whole community, supporting people across Devon.

The first incident happened on January 14 and 15 in Exmouth when an unexploded World War II device was dredged up in the marina.

A 600-metre cordon was placed around the device before it was disposed of at sea.

Within two weeks, a second major incident and red warnings to life were issued after Storm Chandra on January 26, brought heavy rain and significant flooding across East Devon.

River, Exe, Otter, Culm and Clyst burst their banks, causing widespread damage and disruption.

The team’s Swift Water Rescue Team was deployed at 6am on January 14.

Two teams, Dart 11 and Dart 12, were deployed to various villages and road traffic collisions (RTCs) along the River Otter between East Budleigh and Ottery St Mary.

Both teams conducted river level checks, well-being checks and evacuations of flooded properties and vehicles.

Dart 11 evacuated and rescued an individual with their dog from a flooded property next to the River Otter and attended to an incident in Otterton, to a person reported having chest pains.

NDSART members are highly trained in first aid, search skills, swift water rescue, rope rescue, 4x4 drivers and search dog handlers, but they are all volunteers, and the team depends on donations and grants to continue to operate.

The team are on call 24/7, 365 days-a-year to help those in need. To donate or find out more, visit: www.ndsart.org.uk