Cavers in the Brecon Beacons are to benefit from a new digital safety net after local AM Kirsty Williams responded to their SOS.
The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team’s depot near Pen y Cae has been fitted with state-of-the-art broadband.
The rescue team will now be able to access real-time data, such as accurate local weather forecasts, and make more efficient use of SARCALL, a web-based incident platform that enables the police to contact their members in an emergency. The team also use a messaging service during rescues that was hampered by not having broadband.
SMWCRT explained to Brecon and Radnorshire AM Ms Williams that their nearest broadband connection stopped at the top of a hill 500 metres from their depot in Penwyllt. Ms Williams wrote to Margot James, the Welsh minister for digital, and she in turn contacted Justine Leese from UK Superfast.
The UK Superfast programme provides funding to the government’s Superfast Cymru project. Mr Leese was able to persuade BT Openreach to extend their broadband connection to their depot.
SMWCRT chair Dan Thorne said: “When we are called out we have to mobilise the right resources, to the right location in a timely manner. Some of our rescues last for days and in that sort of time period you need to plan ahead, swapping team members, sourcing food, checking the weather and dealing with our rescue partners. Having fast and reliable access to the internet will help in almost every aspect of planning for a rescue.”
Ms Williams, the Welsh education minister, said: “I’m pleased to see this improved connection being secured. It’s an issue I’ve been pursuing and I’m pleased my letter to the Minister for Digital has prompted some action.”
Established in 1946, the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team is one of the oldest rescue teams in the UK and has 180 volunteers.