Long Serving Member Singled for Award by Police & Crime Commissioner
Dave Simmonds was recognised for his service to search and rescue today as one of the Police & Crime Commissioner’s ‘silent stars’.
In a ceremony at the Police and Fire Headquarters in Portishead, Dave was presented with the Pride Award along with 9 other people that have shown real dedication to the community of Avon and Somerset.
PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “I always look forward to the Pride Awards as I get to meet the silent stars that often do not get the recognition they so richly deserve. It is an honour to see the dedication, bravery and hard work of the many people living amongst us and award them for their extraordinary commitments.
“It is always humbling to see the unsung heroes of Avon and Somerset who continually go that extra mile to make their communities safer and stronger. I am proud to say that all of these winners have made a lasting impact on the lives of Avon and Somerset residents and I am grateful to every single one of them for their efforts.”
Dave was one of the founding members 44 years ago of what was to become Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue. In November 2018 Dave retired from operational duties and became a life time member. In his career he has attended thousand’s of callouts and always had time to help new team members.
At the ceremony Dave said, “It’s an honour to be singled out but there are lots of other people in the team who have also served and who have helped me achieve what I have got today.”
To read the full story click here to go to the Avon & Somerset PCC website https://www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk/News-and-Events/News-Archive/2019/January/PCC-recognises-silent-stars-with-Pride-Award-Ceremony.aspx
Here is Dave’s citation, submitted to help him gain the award:
David ‘The Boy’ Simmonds.
“Dave was probably the youngest member to be founder member of the ‘Avon Rocks Rescue Team’ back in 1974. He therefore became known – and always has been known as ‘The Boy’.
Bristol City Council had an increasing problem of people self-harming from Clifton Suspension Bridge and surrounding cliffs, and the growing outdoor pursuit use of rock climbing in the Gorge, needed a specialised response. Dave, stood up and volunteered his services – as a committed youth leader, teacher and outdoor pursuit instructor.
He has been volunteering ever since! In 1990 the Avon team joined forces with the very similar organisation in Cheddar Gorge – the Cheddar Gorge Rocks Rescue team; and became the Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue Team (ASSAR). The search and rescue team was adopted by Avon & Somerset Police as their main resource for searching and finding missing people in rough terrain, cliff rescue from gorges and quarries. This still applies today and the team has added flood and water rescue to its competencies after the flooding incident in Gloucestershire on 2007.
Dave has been active though out this time as a SAR volunteer, always on call – 24/7 365; always happy to respond, day or night when called, to add his expertise and experience to any situation. Dave has developed considerable skills in diplomacy, welfare coaching of other volunteers as well as the required SAR and first aid skills.
It is difficult to quantify exactly who has benefitted from Dave’s voluntary contribution to the community – he must have attended literally thousands of ‘call outs’ in his 44 year service. He has saved many lives from those in peril, and he has also returned bodies to grieving family and friends – all essential work, which Dave has always undertaken with a gladness of heart and a ‘can do’ spirit.