72. The UK International Search and Rescue Team, The Worshipful Company of Firefighters, The Old Library, Lloyd’s of London, 16 November 2023



I was invited by the Master Firefighter to an evening of presentations about the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UKISAR) which had made headline news this year following its deployment after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco.

Presentations were given by two key figures in the organisation – the lead co-ordinator, Nick Searle, National Fire Chiefs Council Strategic Lead for UKISAR and David O'Neill, Assistant Commissioner, Special Projects, London Fire Brigade, who led the deployment to the recent incident in Turkey.

They outlined how the ISAR is organised in the UK, the training and equipment available, the logistics of deploying to actual incidents and its future. There were also descriptions of search and rescue incidents from those who were actively engaged in them.

They can be deployed within 8-10 hours and can be self-sufficient for 10-12 days.  They have two separate work units and include six dogs.

The event was held in the iconic surroundings of Lloyd’s of London, jointly with the Institution of Fire Engineers.

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