Following the first two issues of the “Voluntary Civil Protection Work” series designed by the Liechtenstein graphic artist Evelyne Bermann, which paid tribute to the work of the Fire Service (2008) and the valuable work done by the Samaritans (2009), in the third issue the focus is simultaneously on two institutions which serve the population: “Mountain Rescue” (face value CHF 0.85) and “Water Rescue” (face value CHF 1.30).
Liechtenstein Mountain Rescue, founded by the Liechtenstein Alpine Association (LAA/LAV) in 1954 in the aftermath of the catastrophic avalanches at Blons (Vorarlberg) today unites some 30 male and female mountain rescuers in an independent association which is responsible for safety and rescue in the Liechtenstein Alps. Among the situations in which the Mountain Rescue team is deployed are missing-person searches in difficult mountain terrain and rescue after climbing accidents. The Mountain Rescue team is accountable to the Office of Civil Protection and Emergency Management and has strong links with Swiss Alpine Rescue. It is likewise in partnership with REGA (Swiss Air Rescue). It had been evident in previous years that the institutions in the country which normally take responsibility in accident situations of all kinds were up against their limits when dealing with traffic accidents or searching for missing persons and victims of crime in water, so at the beginning of the 1980s the “Bubbles” diving club was asked by the government to assume responsibility for water rescue in Liechtenstein. Since then this service has been rendered by the club’s own water-rescue team, which consists of experienced divers with sound basic training and specialists with years of leadership training. Tasks performed in the last few years have included search and rescue of missing persons in various lakes and rivers in Liechtenstein, salvaging of vehicles from the Rhine and inland waters, supervision and cleaning of groundwater wells and pipelines and also safety measures at all organised events
Liechtenstein 2010 1.30 CHF sg?, scott?
Liechtenstein Post web-site.