The Disaster Management Centre in partnership with World Health Organization successfully concluded the Basic Search & Rescue Training Course based on International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) guidelines from 20 – 29 June 2022.
The INSARAG basic training started in a structured format in the country in 2020 and has been sustained through 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic despite the travel restrictions, public health social measure limitations and the current economic limitations. This year’s training incorporated the lessons learnt from 2020 and 2021 to further refine the programme.
The simulation exercises were conducted in four venues with the participation of 43 trainees over the span of 10 days. The first venue was the Fire Brigade Training School, Colombo which delivered a module on introduction to first response. The second venue, Special Task Force Training School in Katukurunda was utilized for the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) event response training. Rapid Action Boat Squadron’s Headquarters (RABS HQ) established at Gangewadiya and Centre for Disaster Response Training of Sri Lanka Army (CDRT-SLA), Gampola were the third and fourth venues. RABS HQ was equipped for the modules on disaster environment, scene management, search, rescue while CDRT-SLA conducted modules on basic medical rescue and consolidation exercise.
This year the Search and Rescue (SAR) team consisted of trainees from Tri Forces, Police, Special Task Force (STF) and Fire Service Department as usual; with the new addition of trainees from ‘Suwaseriya’ national ambulance service and Ministry of Health, to further broaden the health involvement in complex natural disasters.
Sri Lanka is affected by various hazards, including weather related events such as cyclones, monsoonal rain, and subsequent flooding and landslides. Droughts are also common due to variations in the monsoon seasons. Of these, localized and seasonal flooding are forming the greatest threat to the populations, and the flood risk profile is rising due to the expected increase in the impact and frequency of hydrometeorological hazards. Strengthening Urban-Search and Rescue (USAR) capacity for emergency response enables the development of multifunctional response teams whose members can provide immediate assistance to affected person.
These full-scale simulation exercises provide an opportunity to validate and enhance preparedness and response plans, procedures and systems for natural disaster situations in Sri Lanka while building capacity among multi-sectoral first responders. These SAR teams will be linked to the national 24 X7 Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) under the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and will be on standby for early mobilization in the event of any disaster.
Note: INSARAG is a global network of more than 90 countries and organizations under the United Nations umbrella. INSARAG deals with urban search and rescue (USAR) related issues, aiming to establish minimum international standards for USAR teams and methodology for international coordination in disaster preparedness and response based on the INSARAG guidelines. The seven modules utilized in the training were based on INSARAG guidance and were curated to suit the Sri Lankan disaster context. As a next step the INSARAG team will visit and guide the basic training in the country to facilitate internal validation of the course modules.
Day 01: INSARAG basic training opening ceremony at Fire Brigade Training School, Colombo
Photo credits: Disaster Management Centre, Sri Lanka
Day 04: Search and rescue at Rapid Action Boat Squadron’s Headquarters (RABS HQ), Gangewadiya
Photo credits: RABS HQ, Gangewadiya
Day 10: Consolidation exercise at Centre for Disaster Response Training of Sri Lanka Army (CDRT-SLA), Gampola
Photo credits: Disaster Management Centre, Sri Lanka
This activity is linked to
Sustainable Development Goal 3.d:
Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
WHO General Programme of Work 13:
One Billion more people better protected from health emergencies.
WHO South East Asia Regional Flagship:
Scale-up capacity development in emergency risk management in countries.
International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG): https://www.insarag.org/