Cardiff and Vale Rescue Association

The Cardiff and Vale Rescue Association (CAVRA) is a voluntary search and rescue organisation, operating within the City of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Mission
CAVRA is a registered charity, and its purpose is to provide back-up personnel to the official Emergency Services in a range of situations, including in particular searches for missing persons, and support at public events and during times of adverse weather conditions, natural disaster or civil emergency.

Vision
CAVRA aims to provide teams of volunteers who have the required skills, experience and local knowledge, as well as the necessary equipment and communications facilities, to be able to be of genuine assistance to the official Emergency Services. It will provide this service at any time of the day or night, without charge, in any situation where one of the official Emergency Services or other approved organisation decides that their efforts would benefit from the kind of support that CAVRA can offer.

Organisation
CAVRA consists of two teams, one based in Sully, the other at Atlantic College, that train regularly throughout its area of operation, using a range of possible scenarios.

Individual members are qualified in First Aid, trained in using the service's own CAVRA radio communications system, experienced in working as team members or leaders in searches in a variety of terrains, and in many cases have specialised skills, like working on steep ground or a medical background. Moreover, all the permanent members have undergone checks by the Criminal Records Bureau.

While on a call-out or on duty, as well as on training sessions, members are recognisable by their overalls and marked protective clothing, and will also carry cards identifying them as members of the team.