Sean McCarry OBE elected to top position for UK and Ireland

The Association of Lowland Search and Rescue (ALSAR) is thrilled to announce the appointment of their new Chair, Sean McCarry OBE. Sean, the esteemed founder and leader of the Community Rescue Service (CRS), has assumed this pivotal role.

At ALSAR's recent Annual General Meeting and Conference, held in Coventry, Sean received unanimous support from the delegates representing the 34 search and rescue teams comprising 2,157 members and 53 search and rescue dogs. ALSAR operates across the entire UK and Ireland, providing essential emergency response services in lowland areas to assist various police agencies responsible for public safety, particularly during emergencies. The governing body oversees standards, policies, and procedures, ensuring a uniform and highly professional response in all regions, answering to both UKSAR and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

The Lowland Rescue Teams boast an impressive fleet, including 110 emergency vehicles, 64 drones, 98 bikes, 50 rescue boats, and 7 Sonar teams. In 2022 alone, they were deployed 1,665 times, dedicating a total of 69,700 hours to search operations, resulting in an impressive cost savings of £13,600,000.00 to the public.

Sean McCarry has been a prominent figure in the search and rescue field for over four decades, recognized not only as one of the most experienced National Search Managers in the UK and Ireland but also on a global scale within the search and rescue community.

Having previously served as Vice Chair of Lowland Rescue and as a trustee, Sean expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, stating, "I am delighted, privileged, and honored to be unanimously elected to this vital and challenging position. Lowland Rescue teams offer world-class voluntary search and rescue services in the lowland environments of the UK and Ireland, operating 24/7, regardless of weather conditions. I am immensely proud to lead this outstanding organization."

He continued, "All Lowland Rescue teams play a crucial role in providing lifesaving emergency responses in collaboration with their respective police services, with the shared goal of ensuring the safety of our communities. I will work closely with my fellow trustees and senior leadership team to provide unwavering support and recognition as they carry out this essential work."

The Association of Lowland Search and Rescue holds full membership in UKSAR, while the Community Rescue Service is a member of both the Northern Ireland Search and Rescue Policy Group and Practitioners Group.