Pembrokeshire firefighter assists search and rescue in Turkey

Watch manager at Haverfordwest station, Phil Irving, and head of response, Steve Davies, both from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, have travelled out to Turkey this week.

They join a team of 77 UK international search and rescue experts, made up of firefighters and staff from 14 Fire and Rescue Services, who arrived in Turkey on Tuesday, 7 February.

They will be providing specialist skills and equipment to help locate and rescue survivors and were deployed through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The team are equipped with specialist search equipment including seismic listening devices, concrete cutting and breaking equipment and propping and shoring tools. 

Chief Fire Officer, Roger Thomas of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our thoughts go out to the many thousands across Turkey and Syria who have tragically lost loved ones following these earthquakes, and to the emergency responders working to locate and rescue survivors.

"We know that those rescue efforts are taking place in challenging winter conditions, compounding what is already a very difficult operation.

"Two of our operational crew members have now flown out to Turkey to join the UK team of search and rescue specialists.

"I have no doubt that group manager Steve Davies (Southern Division) and watch manager at Haverfordwest Station, Phil Irving, who are highly skilled in Command and Control and have experience of managing in these complex environments will make invaluable contributions to the search and rescue efforts.”

People and emergency teams search for people in the rubble in a destroyed building (Image: PA)

Deployed from South Wales are crew manager Emma Atcherley of Cardiff Central Station, firefighter Luke Davison of Malpas Station and firefighter Robert Buckley of Ely Station.

Station Commander and ISAR Lead for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Darren Cleaves, said: “UKISAR is made up of 14 teams from Fire and Rescue Services across the UK and they respond to international disasters 24/7, 365 days a year.

"As part of the UK team, three firefighters from South Wales have deployed to Turkey and have already commenced operations. They’ll be utilising their specialist knowledge and experience to support search and rescue efforts on the ground.

"We are proud to be able to respond to emergencies and disasters around the world alongside our UK colleagues and our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy.”

More details and updates on the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service's deployment will follow this week.

A man walks through the rubble of destroyed buildings in Antakya (Image: PA)

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