Rochdale fire-fighter joins Japan rescue effort

GMFRS team members travelling to Japan - Andy Horridge, Alex Sugden, Mike Buckley, Dave Swallow, Neal Pickersgill, Clive Geoghegan and Peter Stevenson

Rochdale fire-fighter, Peter Stevenson, is heading up the UK Fire Service International Search and Rescue Team (UK-ISAR) in Japan following the earthquake and the devastating tsunami which followed.

Mr Stevenson and six other members of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service departed with colleagues from other Fire and Rescue Services from across the country yesterday.

On arrival the combined team of 63 will immediately join the international search for survivors and provide relief for Japan's own rescue teams.

The team is expected to arrive in Haneda Airport, Tokyo around 10.15am GMT (07.15pm local time) today (Sunday 13 March).

Mr Stevenson, said: "I have no doubt this will be an extremely challenging situation but once again we will be doing our utmost to use our experience, equipment and training to help the people in need. 

“A number of the UK team members have recent experience of dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, and previously events in Turkey, Algeria and Pakistan and I am sure will utilise everything they have learned previously."