Search & Rescue (SAR)

PREAMBLE

<-- Port Au Prince, Haiti 2010: German USAR & ERT SAR leave UN compound / OSOCC

When a hazard becomes a man-made disaster (like the Japanese nuclear accident following the earthquake and tsunami in February 2011) or a natural disaster (like the October 2005 South Asian earthquake in Pakistan) - there is a rush to respond to try to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity with various forms of Humanitarian Aid. Local in-country resources may become overwhelmed and if the disaster is so large that they cannot cope by themselves then their Governments may request International Assistance from the International Community.

A series of mechanisms and responses go into place including the monitoring and stand by of International Search and Rescue Teams and other Humanitarian Groups. The response needs to be fast to provide as much ife saving support as possible at this acute phase. Teams may also deploy following official Bi-Lateral arrangements (and occasionally a few other mechanisms, such as official in-country contracts and official support of their deployment through recognised / sovereign channels.)

These well trained International Search and Rescue teams deploy to assist countries overwhelmed by the disaster and needing help - very soon after it happens in the 'Response Phase' (or more specifically the "Rescue Phase" of the "Response Phase") of the Disaster Management Cycle. The teams that are recognised as part of the Internationally Coordinated structure of teams under the United Nation's ~ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) subscribe to the standards of International Search And Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG). (The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) coordinates the international humanitarian response to a crisis or emergency pursuant to Resolution 46/182 of the United Nations General Assembly).

Teams must maintain a high level of training, fitness, operational competency and deployment readiness and are classified as light, Medium or Heavy Teams. (Only Medium and Heavy Teams are supposed to deploy interntionally. Light teams usually come from in-country and are trained and deployable as the 'first responders' following a disaster.

There are other International aid agencies and Humanitarian groups who send specialists in disasters to provide teams to the affected country to work with local, national and international authorities to decide how best the world can support the country during their acute time of need. This response may take place over many months or years but that would enter into other phases such as the relief or recovery phase as the 'Rescue Phase' rarely lasts longer than a week or even a few weeks..

International responders may include NGOS / INGOs ./ INGVOs *, Military, Private and Public Companies and Governments or International organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union.

International Search and Rescue Teams (which also often include some Civil Defence Teams), under INSARAG Guidelines provide a compliment of 5 components in Disaster Response.

    1. Management (Team leader/Deputy; Liaison Officer/Deputy; Planning; Safety/Security; Public Information.)

  1. Search (Dog Handler; Search Technicians.)

  2. Rescue (Rescue Team Leader; Rescuer; Structural Engineer; HAZ-MAT specialist.)

    1. Medical (Medical doctor; Paramedics [(Senior Medical / EMTs etc.] ALS, ATLS, etc - Consider Vet Medical)

  3. Logistics (Team leader; Communications; Logisticians. Moving team to and from home base tool repair / maintenance; BoO setup and camp management;

Other humanitarian response will provide provide equipment, medicines, food, NFIs (Non-Food Items) shelter and personnel to help the country cope with the disaster and eventually recover from its effects.

Search and Rescue Teams provide an essential life saving function at the acute phase and their specially trained members put themselves at measured risk whilst assessing the situation on an ongoing basis to reduce the negative impact on responders whilst saving lifes and alleviating suffering.

Related training and information may be found here as part of the Search and Rescue Courses.

* NGO = Non Governmental Organisation: i.e., non-profit, voluntary citizens' group like a regoistered charity and not Govt.

INGO = International Non Governmental Organization

INGVO = International Non Governmental 'volunteer' Organization

International Search and Rescue training has a strong focus on USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) or Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) due to the frequency of deployments being in response to Earthquakes or Landslides and trapping people in or under such structures.