International Search and Rescue Advisory Group

Last updated
INSARAG
International Search and Rescue Advisory Group
INSARAG-Logo.png
Agency overview
Agency executive
  • Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, Secretary of INSARAG
Parent agency UNOCHA
Website www.insarag.org

The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) is a network of disaster-prone and disaster-responding countries and organizations dedicated to urban search and rescue (USAR) and operational field coordination. It aims to establish standards and classification for international USAR teams as well as a methodology for international response coordination in the aftermath of earthquakes and collapsed structure disasters. The INSARAG Secretariat is located in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Contents

History

German aid organization "@fire" classified by the INSARAG as the world's first earthquake rescue "USAR Light" team Atfire iec-light-classification 2021 DSC05711.jpg
German aid organization "@fire" classified by the INSARAG as the world's first earthquake rescue "USAR Light" team

INSARAG was established in 1991 following initiatives of international USAR teams that responded to the 1988 Armenia earthquake and the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. [1] The United Nations was chosen as the INSARAG Secretariat to facilitate international participation and coordination. INSARAG Secretariat is hosted in the Emergency Response Section (ERS) of the Response Support Branch (RSB) (which was called in the past "Field Coordination Support Section of the Emergency Services Branch") of OCHA in Geneva. [2]

INSARAG activities are guided by UN General Assembly Resolution 57/150 of 16 December 2002 on "Strengthening the Effectiveness and Coordination of International Urban Search and Rescue Assistance" and by the INSARAG Hyogo Declaration adopted at the first INSARAG Global Meeting in 2010 in Kobe, Japan.

INSARAG participated in relief efforts for the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.

INSARAG led the response to the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. [3]

Mandate

On 25 April 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the country of Nepal, killing more than 5000 people, and injuring thousands more. The UK responded to a request for international help, sending search and rescue teams, emergency medics and logistical support. Here, Gary Carroll and his dog Diesel from the UK's International Search and Rescue team go to work in Chautara, Sindhupalchok District - north east of Kathmandu, Nepal. Gary Carroll, search and rescue team dog handler (16691220304).jpg
On 25 April 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the country of Nepal, killing more than 5000 people, and injuring thousands more. The UK responded to a request for international help, sending search and rescue teams, emergency medics and logistical support. Here, Gary Carroll and his dog Diesel from the UK's International Search and Rescue team go to work in Chautara, Sindhupalchok District – north east of Kathmandu, Nepal.

The INSARAG Mandate entails:[ citation needed ]

Membership

Any country or organization with a stake in urban search and rescue may join INSARAG. Countries that wish to join identify a national focal point that acts as an interface with the INSARAG Regional Group and the Secretariat. Organizations wishing to join apply to the Secretariat through their national focal point. Member countries with USAR teams deploying internationally are strongly encouraged to apply for an INSARAG External Classification (IEC), however, this is not a requirement to be a member of INSARAG.

INSARAG members are part of a worldwide knowledge-sharing network on collapsed structure rescue and operational field coordination. They are invited to annual meetings of the relevant INSARAG Regional Group and to participate in INSARAG working groups. The members are expected to have access to the Virtual OSOCC (Virtual On-Site Operations Coordination Centre) and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) on the internet, which provide alert notification in the event of a sudden-onset disaster and real-time information updates and coordination during ongoing disasters. The USAR Directory, managed by the INSARAG Secretariat, provides an overview of INSARAG member countries and their USAR teams.[ citation needed ]

Leadership

On 12 November 2019 the INSARAG family gathered in Argentina for their annual meeting. Z191112a-1 (49054367091).jpg
On 12 November 2019 the INSARAG family gathered in Argentina for their annual meeting.

As of February 2023, the leadership was composed of a Secretary and regional sub-Secretaries, as follows: [4]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs</span> United Nations body managing response to complex emergencies

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a United Nations (UN) body established in December 1991 by the General Assembly to strengthen the international response to complex emergencies and natural disasters. It is the successor to the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator (UNDRO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team</span> Singapore Civil Defence Force unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban search and rescue</span> Location, extrication, and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in structural collapse

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The Central Emergency Response Fund is a humanitarian fund established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 15, 2005 and launched in March 2006. With CERF’s objectives to 1) promote early action and response to reduce loss of life; 2) enhance response to time-critical requirements; and 3) strengthen core elements of humanitarian response in underfunded crises, CERF seeks to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban Search and Rescue California Task Force 2</span>

Urban Search and Rescue California Task Force 2 or CA-TF2 is a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force based in Los Angeles County, California. CA-TF2 is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Urban Search and Rescue Florida Task Force 1 (FL-TF1) is a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force based in Miami-Dade County, Florida and sponsored by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department. The mission of FL-TF1 is to respond to natural and man-made disasters to provide search and rescue as well as both medical and communications support.

Urban Search and Rescue Pennsylvania Task Force or PA-TF1 is a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force based in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban Search and Rescue Utah Task Force 1</span>

Urban Search and Rescue Utah Task Force 1 is one of 28 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search & Rescue Task Forces in the United States. The task force is based in Salt Lake City, Utah and is managed by the Unified Fire Authority. Activation of the task force is accomplished by the State of Utah, or FEMA for rapid deployment of the Task Force, modular or single US&R resources. The task force is self-sufficient for up to 72 hours and includes physicians, search dogs, heavy rescue technicians firefighters and paramedics, and structural engineers. The Task Force manages 6.3 million dollars in specialized vehicles and equipment that is maintained by personnel trained by FEMA.

The International Rescue Corps (IRC) is a volunteer organisation involved in disaster rescue, based in Grangemouth, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Disaster Response Force</span> Indian specialized force

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is an Indian specialized force constituted "for the purpose of special response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster" under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The "Apex Body for Disaster Management" in India is the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The Chairman of the NDMA is the Prime Minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AKUT Search and Rescue Association</span> Turkish non-governmental organization

AKUT Search and Rescue Association is a Turkish non-governmental organization for disaster search and rescue relief. It was established in 1995 as a grassroots organization by seven leading outdoor athletes of Turkey and officially founded as an association in 1996.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emergency Response Team Search and Rescue</span>

Emergency Response Team Search and Rescue (ERTSAR) is an INSARAG listed international disaster response NGO search and rescue team, with bases in Henley-on-Thames, United Kingdom and Toronto, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plan DN-III-E</span> Military unit

The Plan DN-III-E or Civil Relief and Aid Plan for Disasters is a series of measures implemented primarily by the Mexican Ministry of National Defense, specifically the Mexican Army and the Mexican Air Force organized as a body under the name of Support Force for Disaster (FACD). This acts in response to a disastrous situation that affects or could affect a large group of civilians in Mexico and, in some cases, abroad. It is also known as the 3rd Army mission entrusted to safeguard and protect civilians in case of disaster.

New South Wales Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1 was first established as a USAR capability in the lead up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics. After earlier large-scale collapses including the 1977 Granville Train Disaster, 1989 Newcastle earthquake and 1997 Thredbo landslide, Fire & Rescue NSW was legislated as the combat authority for responding to major structural collapse incidents within the state of New South Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">@fire International Disaster Response Germany</span>

@fire International Disaster Response Germany is a German non-profit, non-governmental civil protection organisation which assists during natural disasters. The organisation was founded in 2002 in Wallenhorst, Germany as a pro bono network of professional and volunteer firefighters. Since 2010 @fire is member of the UN-Organisation INSARAG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SMART (Malaysia)</span> Malaysian disaster relief and rescue task force

The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team or internationally known as SMART, is a disaster relief and rescue task force established under the National Security Council based on the approval of the Cabinet on 18 May 1994. The SMART task force is a United Nations INSARAG certified Heavy USAR in June 2016.

United Kingdom International Search and Rescue Team (UK-ISAR) is a search and rescue team from the United Kingdom that responds to humanitarian accidents or disasters on behalf of the UK Government. The current team structure is classified by the United Nations as a ‘Heavy USAR Team’ under the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) guidelines.

References

  1. ↑ "INSARAG - International Search and Rescue Advisory Group: Overview". OCHA. Archived from the original on 26 October 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  2. ↑ "Structure". www.insarag.org. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
  3. ↑ Luymes, Glenda (10 February 2023). "Turkey-Syria earthquake: Here's why B.C.'s elite rescue team remains grounded". Vancouver Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.
  4. ↑ "CONTACTS". UNOCHA. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
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