In our modern high-tec society we take for granted the ability to communicate instantly with anybody, anywhere in the world. At our fingertips we have phones, faxes, e-mail, and satellite technology now enables man not only to speak but also see.

However, communications up to the 20th century was basic and largely limited to line of sight, projecting sound and sending messengers (including pigeons). Historically communications were about having early warning systems to protect communities against aggressors, and over the centuries military operations and communications have become closely linked. In Iraq today without sophisticated communications casualties would be considerably greater.

In Britain we developed a chain of bonfires to warn of impending invasion, North American Indians used smoke, natives of La Gomera developed a whistling language, glass and mirrors were used to signal, Nelson used flags at sea, semaphore flags were developed and as a last resort send a messenger. However, you could never be certain that your message was received. This all changed with the inventions of Bell's telephone, and Marconi's wireless telegraphy leading to instant two way communications.

Today emergency services would find it almost impossible to work without speaking to their control centres and each other, and with the development of better equipment and carefully located repeater stations there are few places in Dumfries and Galloway that have blank spots.

The local Galloway Mountain Rescue Team has just received a new package of radio equipment providing them with well-tested and robust equipment to assist in their work. However, 30 odd years ago communications were limited to shrill whistles controlling searches and a developed method of hand signals, obviously restricted to daytime and clear visibility. Very quickly a set of Forestry Commission Pye Bantam radios was obtained and when they worked rescues went smoothly. Radio waves work on the principle of line of sight and two team members can be half a mile apart unable to speak to each other due to the intervention of a large hill. Equally freak atmospheric conditions have enabled Galloway to speak to teams in Fife and beyond.

Prior to taking delivery of the new equipment last month Galloway MRT has had three different sets of radios, and the need to replace the existing set is driven by commercial demands on radio frequencies, and the Government has made millions of pounds selling off some frequencies. This has allowed a thorough review of search and rescue provision in the UK and in June 2002 saw the publication of a framework document, which provides a management plan for an integrated approach to search and rescue utilising an effective communications infrastructure.

The UK SAR Band Plan has evolved over 15 years and its need has been precipitated by a large number of large-scale emergency incidents, Lockerbie being one. Single channel operations are unsatisfactory and the UK SAR Band has been devised to enable multi agency multi channel communications at an incident. In basic terms this allows Mountain Rescue Teams to have their own channel but be able to use other channels when radio traffic is busy.

The package for the 23 civilian teams gives individual radios, two radios to each team vehicle, portable base set and a portable repeater set. The cost has been borne by the Scottish Executive and the Mountain Rescue Committee for Scotland. The MRCofS received a large legacy a few years ago and this was earmarked to assist with the provision of radios, and when the Executive agreed to match this legacy the funding was in place for the present development.

During the past few months radio officers have attended a series of seminars and they will cascade their newfound knowledge to team members through routine training exercises. In the longer term Galloway MRT will be able to use their communication system alongside other agencies, and this can only be beneficial to people who get into difficulties in remote areas.