Radiation monitors aid quake mission

LOCAL firefighters are wearing radiation monitors as they search in heavy snow for survivors of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.

The seven Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service firefighters continued their search at 5.30am local time today when the 63-strong UK search and rescue team they are part of returned to Ofunato.

Japan has stepped up efforts to cool reactors at the stricken Fukishima Daiichi nuclear power plant as fears continue over radiation levels.

Water is being dumped on the plant to try to prevent a meltdown of fuel rods.

The local group is led by Peter Stevenson, from Royton, and also includes Neal Pickersgill, Andy Horridge, Clive Geoghegan, Alex Sugden, Mike Buckley and Dave Swallow.

The team later travelled 20 miles north to Kamaishi, where the Japanese authorities estimate more than 1,000 people are missing, and continued search and rescue operations there.

Working in heavy snow, their efforts have been focused on a central industrial area. They were stood down at 6.30pm local time.

The confirmed death toll from Friday’s 9.0 magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami now stands at 5,178 but thousands more remain missing.

Mr Stevenson (49) reported back to the UK Operations Room in Hampshire that the team is fit and well.

The crews will rest through the night and recommence operations at first light. The short-term weather forecast for the area is for low temperatures with heavy snow falling.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said: “I spoke directly to our team in Japan this morning who have confirmed they are fit and well. I thanked them for their continuing efforts.”

Oldhamers can leave messages of support for the firefighters and receive updates on Twitter (@manchesterfire) and the GMFRS Facebook page.