Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has welcomed the Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue team to share its Pontardawe fire station.

The Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team responds to emergencies in the mountainous and rural areas of Mid, South and West Wales. Called upon by the Police through the 999 system, they provide a professional Search and Rescue service manned by volunteers and paid for by charitable donations.

Western Beacons Mountain Search & Rescue Team’s Media Officer, Trevor James said: “The securing of a new satellite base, at the Pontardawe Fire and Rescue Station, to house a Western Beacons Mountain Search & Rescue Team vehicle, opens a new and exciting chapter in the history of the team.

"We are looking forward to developing closer ties with our Fire Service colleagues, including the opportunities for joint training around technical rope and swift water rescue. Having the ability to respond from Pontardawe will see a major reduction in our response time across a large portion of our area of primary responsibility.

"This area includes not only the western parts of the Brecon Beacons, but which also extends as far west as Pembrokeshire, much of Carmarthenshire and on into Ceredigion, as far north as Aberaeron. This will undoubtedly save lives.

"It would be remiss not to express sincere thanks to those individuals within both the Mid & West Fire and Rescue Service and the WBMSR team, who have put a great deal of effort into the process of entering into the shared facility arrangement. Without their commitment of time and enthusiasm, it simply would not have happened.”

Group Manager Peter Greenslade, Head of Response for Neath Port Talbot added: "Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service are extremely happy to welcome Western Beacons Mountain Search & Rescue Team to Pontardawe Fire Station

"This is a unique and exciting opportunity for our teams to train and work together and to provide an even better service to the communities that we both serve."

Area Manager Iwan Cray said they are delighted to share the fire station with search and rescue team.