Delcom have supported GAFIRS (Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service) for a number of years.

About GAFIRS:

GAFIRS is an Independent Inshore Rescue Service, founded in 1969, the service provides free maritime rescue cover in the Solent, Patrols from Portsmouth Harbour to Titchfield Haven - but on many occasions gets tasked outside of patrolled area. Additionally the service is also available to the county’s emergency services to respond to inland and other incidents. All of the crew are volunteers and give freely of their time to aid the service. GAFIRS equipment consists of several inland powered rescue boats and ribs (motorboats), as well as other craft including rescue ski’s and kayaks. The rescue teams and equipment are all commanded from the GAFIRS HQ, located on the edge of the Solent and also where GAFIRS main rescue boats (‘Gosport Rescue 1’ and ‘Gosport Rescue 2’) are launched from. In addition to the marine equipment GAFIRS are also equipped to deal with land based search and rescue, via a range of land based equipment inlcuding a specially kitted out Land Rover.

Aside from much needed search and rescue services; GAFIRS also provide another equally important service. Through it’s own cadet scheme and education delivered via members of the team, GAFIRS provides lifesaving training and advice to both children and adults. Whether it be basic medical courses, cadet lifesaving training or raising awareness via open days at it’s base; GAFIRS is providing a variety of important services to the Gosport & Fareham community – and beyond. 

Radio Equipment & Networks:

In terms of radio equipment; GAFIRS have a substantial land based radio network –  a multi channel system, operating from a number of repeaters dotted around the county, the GAFIRS radio system provides radio coverage as far as Bournemouth and is used for land based incident control & management, as well as search and rescue operations. Often used by other agencies as well as GAFIRS, the system can quickly be reconfigured for use on any land based requirement.

In addition to the land based radio system GAFIRS also have a variety of VHF marine 2 way radio equipment installed in their rescue craft. Specialist and hardy equipment is required for this task, hence why the majority of equipment used is ICOM. In addition to GAFIRS on-shore radio network, ship to shore communications are also possible on the network, via handheld two way radios in the boats.

Control Room:

Every radio network needs a control location and GAFIRS have quite an impressive one. Operating from their base lifeboat station located on the Solent, GAFIRS control room has a variety of 2 way radio, equipment installed in a custom built console within the control tower of the station.

Delcom & GAFIRS:

GAFIRS are now operating the country’s most comprehensive private search and rescue 2 way radio network. Well equipped, GAFIRS are renowned for having a varied team who are all specialists in their respective fields (e.g. medical). Delcom have supported GAFIRS for a number of years and provide assistance via technical consultancy and equipment provisioning – as well as by providing regular service, 2 way radio programming and equipment repair services. As a company we are proud to be associated with GAFIRS and feel privileged to be able to support the excellent work that the organisation is doing.

 

For more information on the range of ship to shore communications and marine 2 way radio products that Delcom offer please take a look at our online shop our contact us today.

 

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