Civil Defence Scotland | Civil Defence Scotland Homepage

"Those who call for help are many... It is you they are calling"

ICRC Delegate, Marcel Junod, (Warrior without Weapons)

Welcome to the official Civil Defence Scotland website.

What is CDS?

Civil Defence Scotland, (CDS), is a registered Scottish charity No SC041357 and is an independent non-government volunteer organisation. CDS was formed in 2009 after the merger between REACT UK Water Rescue Team, Emergency Search Dogs (World Rescue) and HART Services Technical Line Rescue Unit.

What Do We Do?

Our mission is to promote, develop and maintain CDS as a professional corps of skilled emergency response and community support volunteers for the protection and preservation of human and animal life amongst communities affected by emergencies and disasters, both man-made and natural, in any part of Scotland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Who Do We Assist?

CDS currently provides swiftwater/flood rescue assistance and 4x4 vehicle support through the Tayside Strategic Co-ordination Group to Dundee City Council, Angus Council, Perth & Kinross Council and Fife Council Emergency Planning Unit.

CDS also provides 4x4 vehicle assistance to the NHS Tayside Community Midwife service and the WRVS.

CDS is a DEFRA registered asset on the National Flood Rescue Enhancement Project.

CDS provides rescue boat and first aid cover at open water swimming events for the Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association on the River Tay and at Loch Earn.

Who Funds Our Organisation?

CDS does not receive any local authority or government funding. We are supported entirely by donations from the public, product donations and sponsorship from the business community.

If you would like to help to support our organisation and assist us to purchase equipment and train our volunteers, then please consider making a secure online donation by clicking on our PAYPAL donate button below:-

CDS Volunteers John Bell & David Morrow being presented with their HEARTSTART Emergency Life Support certificates by CDS Training Officer John Greenfield.

Our volunteer personnel receive professional swiftwater training from RESCUE 3 UK, who are the foremost providers of this form of training worldwide. Boat handling training from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Lowland search technician training, which is compliant with the ACPO guidelines from UKSLI / ALSAR and all are trained to a minimum of emergency life support first responder level.

CDS volunteers undergo regular afloat training in order to keep their skills at the highest possible level.

CDS water rescue section personnel training in swift water at Grantully, Perthshire.

CDS rescue boat recovering open water swimmers from the Tay at Perth.

CDS 4x4 support section mobilised in Auchterarder High Street February 2010

CDS technical rope rescue section training in casualty recovery.

CDS Paramedic John Greenfield (In white helmet) at technical ropes training course at the Fire & Rescue Service Training centre, Plymouth.

Click on red flashing button for SEPA Flood Risk & Flood Warnings

Click on the logo above for current weather warnings from the Met Office

CDS is an affiliate member of the Inland Flood Rescue Association - click logo to visit the IFRA website

The International Civil Defence badge is worn by members of Civil Defence to show they are part of a worldwide network of committed people, prepared to serve in their own country or overseas as part of a practical response to disaster relief.