Providing search and rescue in the south of West Yorkshire
Providing search and rescue in the south of West Yorkshire
The Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team
Unlike other European countries, Mountain Rescue Services within the UK are free of charge, available to all and provided by well trained volunteers who are called out by and assist the police.
The Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team has an average of 60 callouts per year supporting West Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and neighbouring police forces.
The team’s immediate area of response is the southern half of West Yorkshire. Although most incidents involve search and rescue on the moors and hills of West Yorkshire many incidents occur in rural lowland areas such as parks, woods and farmland.
Joining the team
Applications are currently closed to join as a call out member of the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team. However we welcome applications from people wishing to join the team as a supporter. Contact us for more information.
Supporting the team
The Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team is a charity supported by donations and receives no direct funding from any official source. You can support us via donations or other methods.
Contacting us
If you have any general query or would like to request our attendance at an event please contact our secretary. Media enquiries should be made to our press officer.
Calling the team out in an emergency
If you need to call us out for you should dial 999, ask for the Police and then ask for Mountain Rescue. Unfortunately we can’t accept call outs from members of the public by any other method.
Our latest news and callout updates
Fortunate Outcome After 80-Foot Cliff Fall Near Butterley Reservoir
Looking back at the events of Sunday, June 14th, what began as a routine monthly training exercise for Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team (HVMRT) quickly escalated into one of the most complex, multi-agency operations in the team’s history. Several weeks on from the dramatic incident in the Wessenden Valley, the
Annual callout summary: 2025
The Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team finished 2025 on 47 callouts for the year compared to 63 in 2024. The time the team spent on callouts decreased to 163 hours compared to 235 hours in 2024. Callouts included: Other 2025 statistics: We carried out 163 training exercises through the year.
Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team celebrates 60 years of service and dedication
The Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team recently recognised commitment of its dedicated call-out team members, coinciding with the celebration of its 60th anniversary.
Going out? Be AdventureSmart...
The moorland sections of our area are extremely beautiful but are also often bleak and inhospitable. Weather conditions can change quickly and, when low cloud develops, navigation in our featureless landscape can be very difficult. A day’s walking can quickly develop into an epic.
To avoid getting into difficulties ask yourself three questions before you set off on your walk:
- Am I confident that I have the knowledge & skills for the day?
- Do I know what the weather will be like?
- Do I have the right gear?
These questions are at the heart of being #AdventureSmart – a hill safety initiative supported by Mountain Rescue England and Wales.
Read more about moorland and mountain safety in this short guide.