Search and rescue stalwart Dean is a County Press community champion

The Isle of Wight County Press’s latest community champion is a familiar face – a search and rescue stalwart who has dedicated so much of his time to saving people in crisis.

Dean Terrett has been volunteering with frontline emergency services for 24 years now.

He qualified as a special police constable in 2000 and spent ten years in the force.

“The number of officers on the Isle of Wight is relatively small, and the police often struggled for resources to go out looking for a high-risk missing people,” said Dean.

“This, as well as losing two of my close friends to suicide, is one of the primary reasons I decided to get involved in land-based search and rescue.”

Dean went on to found Isle of Wight Search and Rescue (WightSAR) in 2011.

Dean Terrett with some members of his team. (Image: Contributed.)

The team started as a small initial response team (IRT) in 2008, as part of Hampshire Search and Rescue.

“Back then, the team would undertake immediate search tasks while other resources travelled to the Isle of Wight by ferry,” said Dean.

In 2011, the team had developed enough that Dean and his team decided to apply for independent status.

Dean Terrett with a search dog. (Image: Contributed.)

WightSAR was assessed by the national body and successfully joined Lowland Rescue as a stand-alone unit in October 2011.

“Over the last 12 years, the team has been involved in countless searches for high-risk missing people and their immediate intervention has been directly responsible for saving many lives,” said Dean.

“The most rewarding part of being a search and rescue volunteer is finding someone safe and reuniting them with their loved ones.

Dean Terrett getting some first hand experience with a Chinook. (Image: Contributed.)

“One of the most incredible things I have ever done with my life is give another human that chance to talk with someone.

“I am an advocate for promoting the importance of mental wellbeing; the highest number of our callouts are associated with this.

“Many people feel they cannot speak out that they are struggling, afraid of the stigma or being judged.

Dean Terrett as a special police constable. (Image: Contributed.)

“The more of us that are aware, the easier it is to look out for the signs within our workplace, our family, and our friends.”

When Dean isn’t out with WightSAR, he’s working a full-time job as a global distribution sales manager.

He said: “My role sees me travel a lot, but I’m very fortunate to have an amazingly talented team around me, looking after everything WightSAR-related while I’m away.”

Some of WightSAR's search and rescue vehicles. (Image: Contributed.)

Earlier this year, Dean was honoured to receive a British Empire Medal for services to search and rescue on the Isle of Wight.

In May, he was invited to the King's garden party at Buckingham Palace alongside partner, Jane.

He described it as an amazing experience, and one he will never forget.

“Today, WightSAR has more than 30 qualified and dedicated volunteers who make themselves available every day, every hour, to support the police and other agencies in searches for high risk, vulnerable missing people on the Island,” said Dean.

“I am hugely proud of what the team has become.

“I hold the highest respect for our volunteers, and make sure they are equipped with the best training and have the clothing and tools in place to perform the task asked of them.

“Every one of them is valued!

“This is reason we have been able to create an efficient and effective team.

Last year alone, WightSAR provided over 1,000 hours of volunteer search resource to locate missing persons on the Isle of Wight.

“Without the dedication and commitment of our amazing volunteers, none of this would be possible.”