I dips me lid....

**p38arover** · 18th March 2016, 06:56 PM

To the people who get involved in searches for missing people.

Today, as a member of WICEN, I assisted in providing comms for some VRA and Bush Walker search teams who, with many other people, were searching for a 77-yo Medlow Bath woman who has been missing in rugged bush since last Monday week.

Well, for me it was easy despite the 80km/h winds and rain squalls - I could get into my Rangie after we'd set up the radio relay station to support VRA search teams down in the valleys (we did have to relocate once - to the street where the missing woman lives/lived).

I have to take my hat off to the SES, RFS, VRA, and police who were out searching the bush. Groups would come out of the bush thoroughly soaked and cold and it's not flat land where we were.

This is the first search I've been associated with and the number of people involved was astonishing and the financial cost (to the govt, the council, the police, the volunteer orgs and to individuals) must be enormous.

SES, VRA, and RFS cars were from all over NSW.

Setting up at Point Pilcher out past the Katoomba Airfield.

The terrain:

**cuppabillytea** · 18th March 2016, 08:56 PM

I'll doff my cap to 'em also. Some things don't occur to us in the Big Smoke until we here it on the News.

**p38arover** · 18th March 2016, 09:14 PM

So true.

I know a few people who train every week for SES/VRA/RFS/CFA, etc. are on the forum and we don't hear about or think about them until we see them on the news or need them ourselves.

**cuppabillytea** · 18th March 2016, 09:32 PM

Once a few years ago, we were watching the New Years Eve Fire Works from our old house in Balmain East. We were having a BBQ/Party as we were soon to be moving out. The Nor'easter had blown in really hard and was lifting the aluminium titles off the roof and flinging them about the street, which was full of spectators. I called the SES and they were there in no time flat. They got up on the roof and screwed down all of the loose tiles that were left and the ones we had gathered from the street. Job done we asked them to join us for a Chop, Prawn or beverage. "No thanks." they said "We're on duty." and off they went.
Such dedication from Volunteers is outstanding I reckon.

**LandyAndy** · 18th March 2016, 10:57 PM

Good on you Ron.You would be very good as a volley for them knowing your lifes work and attention to detail.Good to see you using your skills to help others in retirement.
Andrew

**p38arover** · 19th March 2016, 07:01 AM

I appreciate your words but what I did was nothing.

I chatted with a few people from various groups as they passed by our location to get their vehicles and move to the next location. Quite a few had been there for 5 days.

Like digger on this forum, a few were police who also worked as volunteer firies or rescue. You'd think they would have had enough in their job without this sort of work.

Maybe the best job (other than ours) was that of the two coppers who stopped for a quick chat when they rode up out of the bush on police Yamaha 450 dirt bikes!

**korg20000bc** · 19th March 2016, 08:24 AM

Good stuff.
For an interesting take look at the instinct to search for lost people- even at risk of your own life - please read Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein.

Ean Austral · 19th March 2016, 10:46 AM

Great stuff Ron, thanks for posting it. The vollies , no matter what group they belong to are the true unsung hero's of this country. Everyday people doing a great service and they deserve far more than they receive.

I have been involved in a few search's at sea , 1 ending in a bad way, but finding people alive is such a great feeling and is the best reward , and I am sure that all involved would take that outcome over anything else.

I tip my hat to them as well.

Thanks again

Cheers Ean

**p38arover** · 19th March 2016, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Ean Austral

The vollies , no matter what group they belong to are the true unsung heroes of this country.

Absolutely! Far more so than any footy player, etc.

**digger** · 19th March 2016, 04:39 PM

Someone with skills such as yours using them for good instead of evil is brilliant as the
Availability of good comms means a mantle of safety for searchers, real time updates etc

That sort of thing (good comms) can make a search anything up to 50% more effective as you arent chasing your tail. Good on ya mate!

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