Emergency volunteers honoured for supporting York flood victims

MIRT Team Leader Alex Sutcliffe with her award for work during last Christmas's floods Credit: North Yorkshire County Council

The Major Incident Response Team (MIRT), which is part of North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council’s emergency response, has had its work during last years Christmas floods recognised with a York and District Medal.

MIRT is a team of about 25 volunteers some working, some retired and from a wide variety of backgrounds.

The team is managed by Alex Sutcliffe who joined as a volunteer ten years ago, after spending 16 years working in the NHS.

What is MIRT?

  • MIRT was born out of the 1980s, the “decade of disasters” that saw incidents including the Lockerbie air crash, Zebrugge ferry sinking, Kegworth air crash, King’s Cross fire, Marchioness sinking and Bradford City fire.

  • In the wake of these disasters, a government report found that while immediate emergency response was generally good, there was a need for public sector services to support people caught up in or affected by such traumatic events.

  • The County Council took up the challenge and as pioneers formed MIRT in 1991.

  • The service is provided on a 24-hour basis and can be called in by local authorities or the emergency services.

  • The team offers practical and emotional support.

  • Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, including social care, health and the voluntary sector, but there are no specific requirements.

  • The team is responsible for setting up rest centres for North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council during emergencies.

  • If it is necessary to evacuate a community for flooding, or any other dangerous situation, MIRT will set up a rest centre and look after the emotional welfare of anyone who comes into the centre.