Dave has been part of the team from its beginning and has been important in developing the teams communications capability. Previously involved with events and emergency communications he has provided support to many organisations in the past including emergency services and other national networks, much of this was using the Red Cross asset SARCom, a resource no longer available.

Dave manages the communications and IT assets and provides planning in relation to communications equipment deployment, particularly important when operating a large or complex network.

Dave is a systems/communications engineer By trade who has almost 15 years experience operating within the voluntary sector as Ambulance Crew, Enhanced First Aider, Mental Health First Aider, Qualified Trainer, Incident Officer and Ambulance Service Community First Responder.

Aniko is a Technician with the Scottish Ambulance Service and Self-Employed Nail Technician. Prior to this Aniko was an Emergency Department Assistant at Raigmore Hospital, a carer, and Ambulance Crew for the Red Cross.

Whilst volunteering with the Red Cross Aniko attended many different events across the country gaining experience in many different environments and working with different organisations.

As well as her clinical training, Aniko is a competent communications operator often providing support to the main communications team.

I was born in Spain but grew up in Australia, Jersey and France. I have also spent time in Singapore, Nigeria, Egypt, the United States and now have settled in Scotland. Over the last 6 decades if worked as a teacher from primary through to secondary schools, a retail manager, an administrator in a print studio and am now crew on a tourist boat. Throughout my years I have always been involved with first aid either as part of my job or as a volunteer for British Red Cross (BRC) or Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI). Currently I specialise in administration, education, and communication for both these charities. 

In 2017 MERT (Medical & Emergency Response Team) was formed and I was asked to be part of the volunteer team. My specialty in the team is to be an Event Liaison Officer working in Joint Operations Cells with the clients’ organising team, and other emergency responders and services.

I can setup radio systems to enable medical assets at events to be heard, spoken to and remotely monitored using the Motorola TrboNet Dispatch System. This enables serious incidents to be attended to effectively whether routine or time critical. 

I have been administrative hospital lead at various international events including Monaco GP, Great North Run, Rock Ness and Belladrum. Being able to speak various languages is a huge advantage at large events enabling me to provide support to foreign nationals whether triaging, treating or signposting. 

We are currently looking to increase our volunteer base available to assist statutory services and our local communities during emergencies and during significant incidents.

Most recently this has included responding to power outages in Aberdeenshire providing welfare checks on vulnerable persons and providing food, water and resilience support to those we have contact with.

Volunteers should be over 18 and will require to complete a disclosure check.  Training will be provided so no previous experience is required.  Our volunteers are from a variety of backgrounds with everyone bringing different skills which creates a team that is flexible and an asset for any situation.

You can contact our team for more information here.