China International Search and Rescue(CISAR) team was a professional heavy search and rescue team responsible for search and rescue during earthquake breakout,[1] which existed from 2001 to 2018 until it was superseded by the China Search and Rescue team formed by the Ministry of Emergency Management.
The CISAR team was activated for the first time in 2003 after several years of planning. Initially, the team had roughly 222 members. On 24 February, the team was assigned by the Chinese Central Government to Maralbexi County for search and rescue after an earthquake in Payzawat County, Xinjiang Province.[1] On 22 May, the day after the 2003 MW 6.8 Boumerdès earthquake, the CISAR flew to the epicentre inBoumerdès Province and rescued one person, marking the first time the team worked outside China's borders.
On 28 August 2004, the National Earthquake Response Support Service centre was set up. It was responsible for onsite search and rescue, material management and onsite monitoring following earthquakes and worked in a support role to CISAR.[9]
In November 2009, the CISAR passed the Insarag External Classification (IEC) for UN search and rescue organisations and was authenticated as an international heavy search and rescue team. It became the second UN heavy search and rescue team in Asia and the first in China.[10][11] In 2010, the team expanded its ranks from 220 members to about 480.[12]
When the Ministry of Emergency Management was created, it established the China Search and Rescue team, which replaced CISAR in 2018.[13]:245 As China Search and Rescue, the team is staffed entirely by civilians who are Ministry personnel.[13]:245
Search and rescue ability
The CISAR was typically able to arrive at earthquake sites within 48 hours and rapidly gather supplies and carry out rescue operations. Other tasks carried out by the team included setting up reception centres and carrying out heavy search and rescue operations. The team was tasked with assisting people in disaster areas, offering first aid, preventive healthcare, and offering reconstruction services.[6]
The CISAR participated in more than 20 earthquake and disaster sites around the world, carrying out search and rescue tasks. The team was credited with saving 67 people and clearing 3,000 bodies at various locations. The team also helped find and treat thousands of earthquake victims.[10][1]
Some of the disasters to which the team responded were:
The team was equipped with three RW3 large rescue vehicles, three trailer-type container rescue vehicles, several satellite cluster communication vehicles and command vehicles.[7] The large rescue vehicle was loaded with 280 sets of equipment, including sonic life search instrument, hydraulic power station, gas cylinder respirator, vehicle-mounted generator, etc. Each vehicle could support a detachment of 60 to 70 people.[25]
The CISAR medical detachment was equipped with a variety of advanced medical equipment and devices.[26] The CISAR mobile hospital was able to carry out medical aid in six field emergency units, including the command unit, classified disposal unit, critical illness emergency unit, surgical treatment unit, inspection and test unit, and pharmaceutical equipment unit.[26] According to the experience of the CISAR in earthquake relief, about 80% of disaster victims suffer psychological trauma after strong earthquakes, and the CISAR provided care for those suffering such trauma.[26]
The team consisted of experts from the China Earthquake Administration who are responsible for earthquakes, engineering structures, and dangerous goods, liaisons familiar with the UN's rescue affairs, emergency medical personnel from the General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, and professional rescuers from engineer corps of the People's Liberation Army.[1][7]
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References
1 2 3 4 5 6 Wu, Xuejie (2009). "CISAR development history and rescue tasks". Preparation and Improvement of Contingency Plan for Public Health Emergencies and Relief Medicine Development Conference of China Association for Disaster Prevention.
1 2 3 Zheng, Jingchen (2005). "A discussion of the emergency medical evacuation development of China International Search and Rescue Team". Chinese Critical Care Medicine. 17 (7): 388–390.
1 2 3 Xu, Deshi (2011). "Recall on the establishment of China International Search and Rescue Team". City and Disaster Reduction. 3: 7–11.
↑ Tan, Xianfeng (2004). "China Earthquake Administration set up the National Earthquake Response Support Service". Recent Developments in World Seismology. 12: 35.
1 2 3 4 5 Tan, Xianfeng (2006). "Creation and medical practices of China International Search and Rescue Team". China Journal of Emergency Resuscitation and Disaster Medicine. 1 (2): 107–109.
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