Meet the Team

The GRS team is made up of team members with various backgrounds and experiences. Members past and present have helped in disasters and joint training with the following countries;

▪ United States of America	▪ Canary Islands	▪ Turkey
▪ Slovenia	▪ Croatia	▪ Bosnia
▪ Kosovo	▪ Mozambique	▪ Japan
▪ Hong Kong	▪ Switzerland	▪ South America
▪ Majorca	▪ France	▪ Ireland

This list is ever increasing with the new deployments we attend.

Scroll below to view some of the teams profile.

Dog Handlers
	David Jones - Team Leader & Chairperson Dave has been at the forefront of disaster and mountain rescue for the past 35 years. He was the first dog handler from the UK to travel abroad in 1986 with his search dog 'Meg'. For this work he was awarded the Pro-Dogs Gold Medal Award. He was the first person to set up a disaster search dog team in the UK. He has assisted in both disaster work in foreign locations and the trainer of many disaster dogs for use by other rescue organisation's all over the world. Dave was also the first person to introduce and supply Mountain Rescue dogs to the Balkans. After 11 years work, in January 2006, he was awarded the Silver Medal. This is the highest award achievable by the Croatian Mountain Rescue Committee. In October 2008, Dave became the first dog handler in Wales to train a Water Search Dog.

	Gavin Roberts - Dog Section Leader Human Remains / Cadaver Dog Handler & Collapsed Buildings Dog Handler & Treasurer Gavin is a founder member of Global. In June 2004, he was awarded with the Level 1 Dog Handler qualification for collapsed buildings & confined spaces. In September 2004 Gavin qualified with Gelert on the Human Remains Project, and in November 2008, Gavin qualified with Wil as a Human Remains Handler.

	Collin Singer Human Remains / Cadaver Dog Handler An experienced dog trainer, handler and instructor, Collin served for nearly 25 years in the Royal Air Force Police. A qualified Provost Marshal's Dog Inspector, throughout his service career he was involved in all aspects of dog handling, working with dog handlers from British Civil Police Forces, HM Customs, HM prison Service, Royal Navy, MOD Police, the United States Air Force, the Greek Cypriot Police Force and other agencies. Collin currently owns Wagtail UK Limited providing specialist detection dogs to a number of agencies worldwide including the MOD and Police Forces in the UK. Wagtail have also exported dogs to mainland Europe and the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Iraq. In September 2004, Collin qualified as a handler on the Human Remains Project with his dog Inkie.

	Louise Elizabeth Wilson Human Remains / Cadaver Dog Handler Louise has studied a Three Year Course in Animal Behavior and Welfare and is Qualified with a Diploma in Higher Education. She works full time with domestic and working dogs at Wagtail UK Limited, based near Chester. She started Volunteering for Global Rescue Services in December 2004 and has qualified with her Dog "Twister" (Springer spaniel) to be a Cadaver Search Handler. She Joined Global to help expand the team and to help in Volunteer rescue work and further her knowledge on Dog training methods.

	Carl Hancock Human Remains / Cadaver Dog Handler & Collapsed Buildings Dog Handler Carl has been a member of GRS for 3 years. He's been awarded with the Level 1 Dog Handler qualification for collapsed buildings & confined spaces. Carl is qualified with Baxter on the Human Remains Project.

	Eilian Williams Trainee Handler Eilian is an experienced dog handler and trainer. An ex member of the British Army, he's trained search dogs in Landmine detection, Arms and Explosives detection and security/tracking. He's got experience of working in Somaliland, Eritrea, Iraq and Belize. He's currently training as a Cadaver Detection Dog Handler.

	Emma Whittle Trainee Cadaver Dog handler Emma joined GRS as a Trainee handler with her dog Jen in 2006. A keen outdoor person, Emma joined us to train as a Cadaver Detection Dog Handler. She has also recently completed the Rescue 3 Swiftwater First Responder Course.

	Peter Gadd Team Member & Water Search Dog Handler Pete has been involved with Mountain Rescue for over 31 years. He's been involved with training and working dogs before with SARDA Wales and has now qualified with Buster on the Water Search Project.

	Mike Dermody Team Member & Dog Handler Mike started working with dogs at a very young age. His father trained and worked collies which he helped with, sad but true he has been the presenter of TV's 'One Man and His Dog' for the past 18 yrs. In 1995, Mike joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps as a Military Dog Trainer. During his 10 years in service, he also handled numerous types of dog. Operationally he worked Drugs, Tracking and Explosive Search Dogs. In 1995 he joined the Police and in 2002 he joined the Dog Section of Greater Manchester Police. He initially worked a General Purpose Dog and in 2006, trained as a body / victim / forensic recovery dog handler. This took him all over the country working on some quite high profile cases such as the fire in Warwickshire that claimed the lives of 4 fire fighters and the Shannon Matthews case in Dewsbury to name but two. He has recently been awarded a Chief Constables Commendation for his work in Warwickshire as it was Mike and his dog that helped locate the 3 outstanding bodies. As if he wasn't busy enough, he also acts as one of the independent assessors for the UK Fire Service Dog Teams which has taken him all over the country. He also helps his local SARDA handlers with their training both bodying and advising on training methods. GRS are delighted to have Mike on the team as his experience will be an invaluable asset in training new dog handlers.

	Rachel Williams Trainee Dog Handler Rachel is GRS's newest trainee handler. She's a Critical Care Physio by trade, but fancied something different with her new Patterdale Terrier, Stan.

	Clare Foster Trainee Dog Handler Clare is an Outdoor Instructor by trade with extensive experience of working in Outdoor Centres. Clare hopes to transfer some of hr skills to the rescue environment whilst training her new dog.

Water Incident Response Team

	Tim Vollum Water Incident Team Leader Tim has spent much of his life on water and has worked his way through most continents as a river guide. He currently provides Swift Water Rescue courses and Professional River Guide training both in the UK and many other countries. Currently based in Bala North Wales, Tim runs his own outdoor adventure company called Get Wet and is also a member of Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation. Tim is also a Sail & Powerboat Instructor and holds the RYA Commercial Skipper qualification.

	Rob Murray Water Incident Member Rob is one of the directors of North Wales Active. An Outdoor Instructor in a number of disciplines and a keen kayaker for a number of years. He is a retained Firefighter with the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, a member of the North Wales Cave Rescue Team and a Rescue 3 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Technician.

	Jonathan Davies Water Incident Member Jonathan is a kayaking coach from North Wales and has lots of experience of rescues and dealing with incidents on and around water. As a very progressive whitewater paddler, he has paddled in some remote corners of the world and down seemingly impossible rapids. As a relaxed individual he always keen to speak to people, so don't be afraid to say 'hello' when you see him out and about. Find out more about Jonathan's exploits at www.flowfree.co.uk

	Lee Evans Water Incident Member & Water Search Dog Handler As a qualified outdoor instructor, Lee has come on board with the Water Search Project. Lee is assisting with the training of the Water Search Dogs and brings with him experience of maintaining Water Rescue Equipment. Lee has also qualified as a Water Search Dog Handler and has recently completed the Rescue 3 Swiftwater First Responder Course.

	Paul Fox Water Incident Member Paul has joined Global with a wealth of rescue experience. As well as attending some high profile water rescue's within North Wales, he's also an active member of the North Wales Cave Rescue Team & a retained Firefighter with the North Wales Fire & Rescue Services. Paul has recently completed the Rescue 3 Swiftwater First Responder Course.

	Amanda Burnham Water Incident Member Amanda is a highly experienced Freelance Outdoor Instructor. Based in North Wales, Amanda has a wealth of local area knowledge. Amanda has recently come on board with the Water Rescue Team and has also started training her dog on the Water Search.

	Garry Lant Water Incident Member Based in North Wales, Garry is both a Boat Handler and Outdoor Instructor. With previous Search & Rescue experience, Garry has joined to assist with the Water Rescue Unit.

	Ric Foster Water Incident Member Ric is a big paddler and runs his own company Bala Graphics. Very use to big white water and when he's not paddling hard, he's going to be helping with the Water Rescue Team. He's both an experienced Kayaker and Powerboat Helmsman.

	Darren Clarkson-King Water Incident Member Darren spends his life obsessed by water. He has kayaked around the world and has spent a great deal of time in the Himalaya running rapids and guiding people on adventures. Having kayaked down both Everest and K2, he calls Wales his home. Darren runs a bespoke expedition company, www.purelandexpeditions.com. Darren is also a canyon and gorge walking guide.

	Sam Jones Water Incident Trainee Sam has been in the hills since he could walk. He enjoys climbing, fell running and a bit of kayaking. He's also completed the Offa's Dyke long distance walk. He's hoping to go to university shortly to study Disaster Management followed by a career in the Military. Sam has been involved with GRS since it began. He's now a Water Incident Trainee and has recently completed the Rescue 3 Swiftwater First Responder Course.

	Richard Butler Water Incident Trainee Richard is an avid skier & skiing instructor. He has completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award and has also taken part in many different activities such as the three peaks challenge. Richard joined GRS at first to help train the dogs, but is now training to become a member of the Water Incident Team.

	Tomos Hughes Water Incident Member Tomos is a First Responder for the Welsh Ambulance Service. He's also had experience of Mountain Rescue. He's come on board with the Water Rescue Team to extend his rescue experience.

	James Roberts Water Incident Member James works full time for the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service as a Fire Safety Practitioner. He's a Crew Manager with his local retained station and a First Responder with the Welsh Ambulance Service.

	Rhodri Jones Water Incident Member Rhodri is a full time Firefighter with Greater Manchester Fire Service. He's a keen sailor and has recently completed his RYA Competent Crew Course. Rhodri has come on board with GRS to utilise his Swiftwater Rescue Technician certificate and to bring a different skill set to the team.

	Dylan Jones Water Incident Trainee Dylan joined Global Rescue Services in January 2010. He has always had an interest in hill walking and fell running and likes to try any outdoor activities. He's completed the sandstone trail and three peaks challenge. Having recently graduated from Sheffield Hallam were he studied Building Surveying, he has been unable to get a suitable job, so for the time being is working on a farm in Oswestry.

Medical Personnel
	John Carrie - Medical Section Leader Team Medic & Water Incident Member John has been working in the Pre-hospital field for the past 9 years. John joined GRS to both provide team personnel with medical assistance and to also assist other Emergency Medical Teams when it comes to Disaster work. He's also a serving member of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation. John has been involved with some of the most high profile Water Rescue's of the past number of years in North Wales. He works for the North West Ambulance Service and has recently completed the Swiftwater Rescue Technicians Course.

	Wayne Roberts WEMT-D BPA PHTLS Wayne is an experienced medic, having served with HM Forces in various parts of the World. He is also a former member of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team and has acted as a First Responder for the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust. He now works for ex+med as a remote area medical practitioner and trainer.

	Dr. Adam Brown MBChB Adam is an Emergency Medicine trainee currently working as a registrar in Bristol. He trained in Birmingham and has travelled and worked in Africa, Central America and New Zealand. He's also a serving member of HM Forces. He enjoys Pre-hospital care and the challenge it provides. The future holds military deployment, further expeditions, and furthering his role within GRS.

	Chris Thresh Team Medic Chris has a vast amount of pre-hospital experience, having served in Saudi Arabia, Northern Ireland, Croatia, Iraq, Italy and Canada whilst on deployment with HM Forces. Chris is also a keen mountaineer and rock climber.

	Paul Howden Team Medic Paul, an avid climber has travelled all over the world whilst serving with the British Army. Paul looks after our Medical Stores whilst on deployment and is a back up medic should his medical skills be needed.

Support Personnel
	Mervyn Jones Team Member Mervyn has been involved in mountaineering and rescue work for more years than he cares to admit. He's the former Secretary and a founding member of GRS. He's also a radio amateur and member of RAYNET (Voluntary Emergency Communications) Mervyn is also our UK contact when abroad. He keeps us all in order and is a focal point for relatives and loved ones whilst we're on deployment. .

	Al Read Team Member Al is a retired Lt. Commander from the Royal Navy. Having served all over the world, Al is able to bring his wealth of experience to the team. He's a keen mountaineer and has led expeditions into uncharted areas of Greenland. He is a Team Leader for Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation, Advanced First Aider, Search Management instructor and teaches technical rope rescue.

	Allen Ince Operational Support Section Leader Allen is an all round mountaineer who loves to push himself. He regularly partakes in Challenge Walks for various charities. As a mechanical engineer his professional experiences come into their own when undertaking the challenges faced when setting up camp in remote locations. He's also a Specialist member of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation.

	Ron Williams Team Member A mountaineer for more years than he cares to admit to. He has been in Mountain Rescue for the past 30yrs, with the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation. He is also a search manager with the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association

	Claire Ronan Team Member A Nurse by trade, Claire has joined GRS to do something different. Her hobbies include Sailing and Diving. Claire is keen to get involved with the Water Search project and holds the VHF Radio Certificate.

	Lyndon Jones Team Member Lyndon has a wealth of experience in the Search & Rescue environment. He's over 25 years experience with SARDA Wales, holding various positions including Call Out Co-ordinator and Head Search Manager. GRS welcomes Lyndon's experience and looks forward to working together.

Meet the Team

Dog Handlers

Medical Personnel

Support Personnel