Search and rescue

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For other uses, see Search and rescue (disambiguation).
Search and rescue
A Canadian Forces CH-149 Cormorant helicopter hoists a man from a Canadian Coast Guard cutter

Search and rescue (SAR or S&R) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.[1]

The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, typically determined by the type of terrain the search is conducted over. These include mountain rescue; ground search and rescue, including the use of search and rescue dogs; urban search and rescue in cities; combat search and rescue on the battlefield and air-sea rescue over water.

Definitions

There are many different definitions of search and rescue, depending on the agency involved.

  • Canadian Forces: "Search and Rescue comprises the search for, and provision of aid to, persons, ships or other craft which are, or are feared to be, in distress or imminent danger."[1]
  • United States Defense Department: A search is "an operation normally coordinated by a Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) or rescue sub-center, using available personnel and facilities to locate persons in distress" and rescue is "an operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs, and deliver them to a place of safety."[3]

History

One of the world's earliest well documented SAR efforts ensued following the 1656 wreck of the Dutch merchant ship Vergulde Draeck off the west coast of Australia. Survivors sent for help, and in response three separate SAR missions were conducted, without success.[4]

In 1983, Korean Air Lines Flight 007 with 269 occupants was shot down by a Soviet aircraft near Sakhalin. The Soviets sent SAR helicopters and boats to Soviet waters, while a search and rescue operation was initiated by U.S., South Korean, and Japanese ships and aircraft in international waters, but no survivors were found.[5]

Types of search and rescue

Rescue helicopter "Christophorus 8"
Rescue rope training
Search and Rescue students give the "I am all right" signal to let the SAR instructors know that they are ready for further instructions at the pool on board Naval Station San Diego.

Mountain rescue

Main article: Mountain rescue

Mountain rescue relates to search and rescue operations specifically in rugged and mountainous terrain.

Ground search and rescue

Ground search and rescue is the search for persons who are lost or in distress on land or inland waterways. Traditionally associated with wilderness zones, ground search and rescue services are increasingly required in urban and suburban areas to locate persons with Alzheimer's disease, autism, dementia, or other conditions that lead to wandering behaviour.[6] Ground search and rescue missions that occur in urban areas should not be confused with "Urban SAR", which in many jurisdictions refers to the location and extraction of people from collapsed buildings or other entrapments.[7]

Some ground search teams also employ search and rescue dogs.

Urban search and rescue

Main article: Urban search and rescue

Urban search and rescue (US&R or USAR), also referred to as Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR), is the location and rescue of persons from collapsed buildings or other urban and industrial entrapments. Due to the specialized nature of the work, most teams are multi-disciplinary and include personnel from police, fire and emergency medical services. Unlike traditional ground search and rescue workers, most US&R responders also have basic training in structural collapse and the dangers associated with live electrical wires, broken natural gas lines and other hazards. While earthquakes have traditionally been the cause of US&R operations, terrorist attacks and extreme weather such as tornadoes and hurricanes have also resulted in the deployment of these resources.[8]

Combat search and rescue

Main article: Combat search and rescue

Combat search and rescue (CSAR) is search and rescue operations that are carried out during war that are within or near combat zones.[9]

Air-sea rescue

Main article: Air-sea rescue

Air-sea rescue (ASR) refers to the combined use of aircraft (such as flying boats, floatplanes, amphibious helicopters and non-amphibious helicopters equipped with hoists) and surface vessels to search for and recover survivors of aircraft downed at sea as well as sailors and passengers of sea vessels in distress.[10]

International divisions of search and rescue responsibility

International waters

International waters are divided into various regions according to the SOLAS convention.[11] In the Arctic, SAR responsibilities are since May 2011 governed by the Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement.

United Nations

International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) is a UN Organization that promotes the exchange of information between national Urban Search and Rescue Organizations.

SAR by nation

Australia

A rescue air crewman aboard Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service Lifesaver 1 in action.
National

The Australian search and rescue service is provided by AusSAR, which is part of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).[12] AusSAR operates a 24 hour Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) in Canberra and is responsible for the national coordination of both maritime and aviation search and rescue. AusSAR is also responsible for the management and operation of the Australian ground segment of the Cospas-Sarsat distress beacon detection system. AusSAR's jurisdiction spans Australia and as well as covering 52.8 million square kilometres of the Indian, Ocean and Southern cceans.[12] AusSAR's RCC is staffed by SAR specialists who have a naval, merchant marine, air force, civil aviation or police service background. The RCC also coordinates medical evacuations, broadcasts maritime safety information and operates the Australian Ship Reporting System (AUSREP).[12] In coordinating search and rescue missions, AusSAR will call on assistance from organisations as appropriate,[13] such as the Defence forces, Border Protection Command, trained aviation organisations (Civil SAR Units), emergency medical helicopters, state Police services and trained Air Observers from the State Emergency Service.[14] There are also other organisations, such as the non-profit Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service that is based at a number of sites around Australia and contracted by various authorities to deliver search and rescue services.

State
BSAR searchers at Mount Dom Dom.

State Police in many states operate state-based search and rescue squads, such as the Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad, which provides specialist expertise, advice and practical assistance in land search and rescue on most terrain including snow and vertical cliff search and rescue.[15] There are also state-based volunteer search and rescue groups such as the Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad[16] in New South Wales and Bush Search and Rescue Victoria[17] in Victoria. These state-based groups draw searchers from bushwalking, mountaineering and specialist rescue clubs within their State. A few groups respond on horseback as mounted search and rescue. The State Emergency Service is a collection of volunteer-based emergency organisations established in each state or territory which are responsible for many rescue efforts in urban and rural areas and in any rescue that results from flood or storm activity. In rural areas the SES conducts most bush search, vertical and road traffic rescues. In urban areas they assist the police and fire services with USAR.[18]

Azerbaijan

Search and rescue operations in Azerbaijan are managed by the Ministry of Emergency Situations onshore in cooperation with the State Civil Aviation Administration in air and the State Maritime Administration offshore.[19]

Belgium

Search and rescue duties along the Belgian part of the North Sea are executed by the Belgian Air Component. From its Koksijde Air Base it operates 5 Westland Sea King Mk.48 helicopters.[20]

Brazil

Search and rescue duties in Brazil are the responsibility of the Divisão de Busca e Salvamento (D-SAR) (English: Search and Rescue Division), of the Brazilian Air Force.[21]

Canada

Canadian Forces CC-115 Buffalo fixed wing SAR aircraft from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron.
CH-146 Griffon in SAR markings
HMCS Saskatoon and CH-149 Cormorant SAR helicopter
Boeing-Vertol CH-113 Labrador SAR helicopter, the predecessor of the CH-149 Cormorant
C-130 are also used by the Canadian Forces for SAR operations
Main article: Canadian Forces Search and Rescue

Search and rescue duties in Canada are the responsibility of the Canadian Forces and Canadian Coast Guard in conjunction with provincial and municipal governments and private organizations. The Department of National Defence (DND) has overall responsibility for the coordinated search and rescue system. SAR operations are organized by Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCC). The JRCC are manned 24 hours a day by SAR Co-ordinators from the Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Forces. Authority for the provision of maritime SAR is assigned to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans by the Canada Shipping Act and the Canada Oceans Act.[1] The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other police forces also coordinate ground search and rescue (GSAR) operations, often using volunteer GSAR teams operating in specific districts under provincial coordinating bodies.[22]

The Canadian Forces has five assigned SAR squadrons:

Plus three Combat Support Squadrons with SAR roles:

Some municipalities and provinces have their own SAR units:

There are also volunteer non-profit associations that conduct SAR in Canada:

Cyprus

A Cyprus Air Force AW139 SAR helicopter during a search and rescue demonstration

The Cyprus Republic Search and Rescue (SAR) system is organized by the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC Larnaca).

The JRCC (Greek: Κέντρο Συντονισμού Έρευνας και Διάσωσης) is an independent agency of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus that started its operations on a 24h basis on 7 August 1995 as a unit of the Cyprus Air Force Command.[45]

On 1 March 2002, the JRCC took full responsibility for investigating, organizing, coordinating and executing every SAR incident-operation in the Republic of Cyprus Search & Rescue Region (SRR).[45] JRCC Larnaca operated as a military unit until 26 July 2010, when JRCC was transformed to an independent agency under the Ministry of Defence with the Minister being responsible for its operational aspects. Logistic and technical support is the responsibility of the Ministry of Communications & Works.[46] Its primary mission is to organize the Cyprus Republic Search And Rescue system, to co-ordinate, control and direct SAR operations in its area of responsibility (which is identical to the Nicosia FIR), in order to find and rescue people whose lives are at risk, as a result of an air or naval accident, in the least possible time.[47] This is achieved by coordinating all the different agencies involved such as the Cyprus Police Aviation Unit, the Cyprus Port and Naval Police, the Cyprus National Guard Naval Command, the Cyprus National Guard Air Force Command, the Cyprus Civil Defence and other secondary units.[48]

The JRCC reports directly to the operational control of the Minister of Defence and it is staffed by qualified personnel of the Cyprus National Guard, mainly from the branches of the Navy and the Air Force.[46]

Denmark

Royal Danish Air Force S-61A with its rescue swimmer

Search and Rescue operators in Denmark are primarily: Danish air force Squadron 722, Danish navy air squadron, naval home guard and the Danish Maritime Safety Administration, coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, operated by the navy and air force in the Danish Naval Commands facilities near Aarhus. Internationally the Danish works mainly with Germany, Norway and Sweden. With the two latter, the annual exercises Baltic SAREX[49] and Scan-SAR[50] are conducted.

SAR services in Denmark started in 1957 with seven Sikorsky S-55s. Their piston engines produced only 550 hp (410 kW) and they had limited fuel capacity, so their operational range was short. To increase the operational area, Pembroke twin-engined fixed-wing aircraft were employed for search. These aircraft would localize the distressed person(s) and the S-55s would then rescue them. The SAR service was started for respond to fighter-plane crashes as 79 aircraft crashed, with 62 dead, in the period 1950-1955.,[51] but civilian SAR duties are also conducted.

In 1962 eight ship-based Aérospatiale Alouette IIIs were received. These were primarily meant for the ships patrolling the North Atlantic, but also supported the S-55s. In 1964 - 1965 the seven S-55s were replaced with eight Sikorsky S-61A helicopters.[52] This helicopter was originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, but the Danish variant had the heavy dipping sonar equipment removed and extra fuel tanks added, giving the helicopters longer range. In 1977 radar was installed and in 1990 FLIR was added. Further avionics and navigation systems, including GPS, have also been added over time.

In 1977 the naval air squadron was re-established as an independent squadron in the navy and had their Alouette IIIs replaced with Westland Lynx helicopters. Their primary operational area was still the North Atlantic, but they continued their support role, although this was reduced with the introduction of the S-61s. In 2006, the first of the S-61s was replaced by one of 14 new AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin helicopters.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rescue helicopters in Denmark.

In 2007 the Danish Defence held a public display in Horsens, to raise awareness about rescue services and maritime safety. Maritime SAR is important because Denmark has a relative long coast line to its land mass.[53][54]

In 2008 the SAR forces in Denmark were equipped with eight EH-101, one or two Lynx, 34 naval home guard vessels and 21 rescue vessels[53] as well as the naval vessels at sea. The EH-101s operate from bases in Aalborg, Skrydstrup and Roskilde. When the sea water temperatures are low a helicopter is also deployed to the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. The Lynx operates from Karup. Maritime vessels are spread out through the entire coastline and on islands. The S-61s and EH-101s have a crew of six: Two pilots, a navigator, a flight engineer, a physician and a rescue swimmer.

Estonia

SAR training by the Estonian Border Guard.

The Estonian Border Guard (Piirivalve) is the Estonian security authority responsible for the border security. It is the main support organisation for search and rescue missions in Estonia, and operates a small fleet of SAR vessels and helicopters.[55]

Finland

In Finland the responsible authority for land and inland water SAR is the Fire and the Crisis and the Border Guard in the maritime area. These organizations alert and decide on the most suitable response for the location and situation. The country also has several volunteer organizations such as the volunteer fire department (VPK),[56] the Finnish Lifeboat Institution (SMPS)[57] and the Red Cross Finland (SPR).[58]

Germany

A cruiser of the DGzRS and a SeaKing helicopter of the German Navy

Search and Rescue in German waters is conducted by the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service with air support by the German Navy and the German Air Force. All incoming requests are coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Bremen. The DGzRS is a non-governmental organization entirely supported by donations.[59]

Besides the offshore Search And Rescue services, the German Air Force provides 8 SAR Command Posts on a 24/7 basis with the Bell UH-1D Huey.[60]

Further, the Technisches Hilfswerk is a key component of the German disaster relief framework. It is, among other things, regularly involved in urban search and rescue efforts abroad.[61]

Hong Kong

Hong Kong GFS AS332 L2 Super Puma SAR helicopter
HK GFS EC155 helicopter
Royal Air Force Westland Wessex HC2 SAR helicopter off Hong Kong
Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force Aérospatiale SA 360 Dauphin SAR helicopter

SAR operations are conducted by the Government Flying Service (GFS) and before 1993 by the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. The GFS conducts maritime SAR within the 400-nautical-mile (740 km) radius of the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (FIR).[62]

As of 2010, the GFS fleet consists of nine aircraft including:[62]

  • 2 BAe Jetstream 41 - for aerial SAR surveillance
  • 3 Eurocopter Super Puma (Super Puma L2) - inshore and offshore SAR
  • 4 Eurocopter EC155 B1 - inshore SAR

Other civilian search and rescue units in Hong Kong include:

  • Civil Aid Service - works in conjunction with the Hong Kong Fire Services Dept and the air support from the Government Flying Service
  • Hong Kong Fire Services/Hong Kong Marine Police - various vessels and rescue divers - with air support from the GFS
  • Mountain Search and Rescue Company of Civil Aid Service Hong Kong[63]
  • Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre is responsible for coordinating other civil agencies in regards to marine SAR operations in waters around Hong Kong
  • Countryside Volunteer Search Team

Iceland

Icelandic Coast Guard Eurocopter AS-365N Dauphin 2 helicopter

The Icelandic Coast Guard Service is responsible for and supervises search and rescue of aircraft that are considered to be in danger, have crashed or are missing. The Coast Guard Service is responsible for control on the location if the accident took place on the ocean. Isavia is responsible for alerting services. The Icelandic Coast Guard operates Maritime surveillance aircraft, SAR helicopters and patrol vessels.[64]

The Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg) a volunteer organization with more than 100 rescue units which are located in almost every part of the country. All the units contain groups of specially trained individuals.[65]

A specialized INSARAG External Classification certified rubble rescue squad operates under the Icelandic Association of Search and Rescue. It was the first rescue squad to arrive in Haiti following the earthquake of 2010.[66]

Ireland

Irish Coast Guard Sikorsky S-61N SAR helicopter
A search and rescue demonstration by an Irish Coast Guard Sikorsky S-61 helicopter and a RNLI lifeboat.

SAR services are provided by a civilian body: the Irish Coast Guard.[67] It has responsibility for the Irish Search and Rescue Region.[67]

The waterborne element of Search and Rescue is provided by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution from 43 lifeboat stations including inland stations at Enniskillen and Lough Derg,[68] the coastguard inshore rescue boats,[69] and community rescue boats at eleven stations: Cahore, Tramore, Bunmahon, Bantry, Derrynane, Banna, Ballybunion, Kilkee, Schull, Limerick City, Corrib/Mask.[70]

Mountain Rescue in Ireland is provided by 12 voluntary teams based in different regions of the country.[71]

The Irish Defence Forces are assigned from time to time to carry out search and rescue operations.[72] Ireland's special forces, the Army Ranger Wing have been used for search and rescue operations in difficult or dangerous operations on land and at sea.[73][74] The Irish Naval Service frequently assists the other agencies in search and rescue. Its patrol ships at sea and the communications center at Haulbowline maintain a 24 hour watch on all distress frequencies.[75] The Irish Air Corps are used for rescue and provide top cover for search and rescue over land or sea.[76]

Israel

Helicopter of Magen David Adom

SAR in Israel is the responsibility of the IDF Home Front Command Search and Rescue (SAR). The unit was established at its current strength in 1984, combining all the specialist units that were involved with SAR until that time.[77]

The SAR unit is a rapid mobilization force and has an airborne transport and deployment capability for its personnel and equipment. The unit is composed of reserve personnel, with a regular cadre based at the Bahad 16 Unit training facility. With a focus on urban SAR, the unit operates specialized equipment, including a locally developed device for locating persons trapped under rubble by detecting seismic and acoustic emissions given off by the victims. The SAR unit also uses Search and rescue dogs specially trained to locate people buried under debris.

Israeli SAR resources

Italy

Italian AgustaWestland AW139 for sea rescue.
Italian AS365 Dauphin rescue helicopter

Italian SAR operations are carried out by the Guardia Costiera,[78] backed up by naval aviation and the air force, including 15 ° Stormo,[79] the Italian Red Cross,[80] the Corps of the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue, the national Corps of Firefighters and other organizations. These organizations are coordinated by Control Rooms and Secondary Coordination Centres, which are connected together, creating the National System for Search and Rescue (SAR).

Jordan

Jordan’s Civil Defense Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR) has achieved the UN classification as a heavy USAR team. The team's role mainly earthquake rescue.[81]

Macau

Macau's maritime SAR is conducted by two units:

The Macau Marine Department and responsible for maritime SAR within Macau's waterways. The Macau Search and Rescue Coordination Centre is under the Vessel Traffic Control Centre of Macao of the Maritime Administration of Macau.[82]

Malta

The responsibility for SAR at sea in the Malta Search and Rescue Region falls under the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM). It is carried out by maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and vessels under the co-ordination, command and control of the Rescue Co-ordination Centre.[83]

The AFM, in close collaboration with the US Coast Guard, also runs a Search and Rescue Training Centre for International Students [84] in Maritime SAR Mission Co-ordination and Planning.[85] To date more than 30 foreign students from 15 countries including Albania, Cameroon, Croatia, Equatorial Guinea and Kenya have attended these courses.[86][87]

Malta is also in talks with Libya about enhancing SAR cooperation between the two countries.[88]

Netherlands

SAR responsibility in the Netherlands is held by the Royal Netherlands Coast Guard, carried out by vessels and aircraft from various organisations among which mostly the Koninklijke Nederlandse Redding Maatschappij with 40 fast rescue vessels and between 1824 til 2006 answered 36358 distress calls and rescued in that same periode about 79887 people out of distress situations, the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management and the Navy and Air Force.[89]

New Zealand

New Zealand's Search and Rescue Region extends from the South Pole to the southern border of the Honolulu region, including Norfolk, Tonga, Samoa, and Cook Islands.[90]

Smaller searches are controlled by the local police, who call on LandSAR for land-based operations, such as for lost hikers, and the Royal New Zealand Coastguard for coastal maritime incidents. Larger maritime search and rescue events, as well as reports of overdue aircraft, fall under the control of the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ), based in Avalon, which coordinates response from local coastguard, helicopter operators, merchant marine, air force and naval resources.[90][91][92]

Urban Search and Rescue falls primarily within the domain of the New Zealand Fire Service, particularly the three USAR Taskforce groups based in Palmerston North, Christchurch, and Auckland. These teams draw together numerous specialists and organisations to achieve an integrated multi-agency response.[93]

Among those organisations that act in a support capacity for NZFS are Response Teams (NZRTs). These are regional rescue groups of professional volunteers that train to a minimum industry standard of USAR Category 1R (USAR Responder), which is also standard for NZFS firefighters. Response Teams are registered with the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM), and assist their local MCDEM Groups and communities in emergencies to supplement full-time emergency services. Their additional capabilities, which vary among different teams, include: high angle rope rescue, storm response, swift water response, medics, welfare, and rural fire support.[94] Many Response Teams deployed to assist in the rescue and recovery effort of the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake.

Other resources:

  • Westpac Rescue Helicopter (New Zealand) - charitable organization
  • New Zealand Land SAR Search Dogs - the official NZ search dogs group providing land search & rescue services under NZ Land SAR, wilderness and avalanche rescue dogs.[95]

Norway

The veteran Norwegian rescue ship Biskop Hvoslef

Norsk Selskab til Skibbrudnes Redning, also called Redningsselskapet (English: Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (NSSR)), is Norway's maritime rescue service. They have 43 search and rescue boats based from Oslo in the south to Båtsfjord in the north. Thirteen of these boats are operated by volunteers.[96]

The NSSR was founded on 9 July 1891, with a clearly defined goal: to save lives at sea. The NSSR is a humanitarian organisation which aims to save lives and recover property at sea. It maintains rescue services along the Norwegian coast, and neighbouring sea areas where such services may be necessary. The NSSR also runs an information service and educational programs designed to improve safety for boaters. The first rescue boats, the Colin Archer-class, were introduced in 1893. They were powered by only by sails and oars. NSSR’s boats and crew have saved the lives of over 6,200 people. More than 500,000 people have received assistance.[96]

The search and rescue helicopters are operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF), who fly 12 Westland Sea Kings. The Norwegian Sea Kings are due to be replaced[97] by 2020 by 16 AW101.[citation needed]

Portugal

Three different agencies are responsible for providing search and rescue in Portugal. The Portuguese Navy is responsible for all sea rescues, the Portuguese Air Force[98] for all the rescues originating within the airspace, including aircraft crashes and the Autoridade Nacional de Protecção Civil (ANPC) for all inland rescues. All of the above coordinate closely with each other providing a comprehensive search and rescue service.

Portuguese Search and Rescue Area

The Portuguese area of responsibility comprises the Lisbon and Santa Maria Flight Information Regions (FIR).[99]

Poland

A Polish Navy W-3 Sokół SAR helicopter hoists a crew member

In Poland most search and rescue operations are undertaken by the airborne units of the Polish Armed Forces. The Navy currently has the largest SAR fleet of helicopters and also operates a number of small vessels for the purpose of rescuing crewmen of stricken ships. There is also, however a semi-governmental organisation known as the 'Morska Służba Poszukiwania i Ratownictwa' (Maritime Search and Rescue Service)[100] which provides the vast majority of seaborne services to vessels in distress; the service is currently (as of 2010) in the process of overhauling and replacing a large portion of its fleet of lifeboats.

South Africa

Search and Rescue services are offered by various government departments, non governmental organizations, commercial/private organizations and voluntary organizations organisations in South Africa. There is no single organisation responsible for urban, wilderness, swift water, aviation or maritime/sea rescue.

Aviation and maritime incidents are the responsibility of the South African Search and Rescue Organization (SASAR). SASAR is a voluntary organization that functions under the auspices of the Department of Transport. Its main role is to search for, assist and carry out rescue operations for the survivors of aircraft or vessel accidents. Depending on the nature of the accident, the RCC's (ARCC or MRCC) coordinate the search and rescue missions. These operations are carried out by other government departments, non governmental organizations, commercial/private organizations and voluntary organizations.[101]

Local resources:

Spain

CASA CN-235 Maritime Patrol aircraft of the Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Maritima.
Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Maritima AgustaWestland AW139SAR helicopter

Search and rescue duties in Spain are the responsibility of the national government, in conjunction with regional and municipal governments. The Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Marítima is the main organization, and has overall responsibility for the maritime search and rescue, that also coordinates the SAR efforts with other agencies:[105]

Sweden

Small rescue boat in central Stockholm, Sweden

The Swedish Maritime Administration is responsible for maritime SAR in Swedish waters.[106] The Sjöräddningssällskapet, or Swedish Sea Rescue Society is an organization aiming at saving lives and recovering property at sea, much the same as the Norwegian Norsk Selskab til Skibbrudnes Redning. The society operates 66 search and rescue stations and over 160 ships manned by about 1800 volunteers. of those 1800, more than 300 are on call at any time, and can respond within 15 minutes. In 2011, the volunteers turned out to an emergency 3274 times. The Swedish Sea Rescue Society does about 70% of all SAR work in Swedish waters.[107]

Switzerland

REGA Agusta A109 K2.

REGA (Schweizerische REttungsflugwacht / Garde Aérienne / Guardia Aerea) is the air rescue service which provides emergency medical assistance in Switzerland, notably in mountains but also in cases of life-threatening emergencies elsewhere. They will also return a citizen to Switzerland from a foreign country if they are in need of urgent medical care. Rega was established on 27 April 1952 by Dr. Rudolf Bucher, who thought that the Swiss rescue organisation needed a specialised air sub-section.[108]

Ukraine

In Ukraine search and rescue is conducted by the State Search and Rescue Aviation Service of the Ministry of Emergencies of Ukraine Ukraviaposhuk.[109]

United Kingdom

Royal Air Force Westland Sea King
HM Coastguard Sikorsky S-92 SAR helicopter
See also: RAF Search and Rescue Force

In the UK, maritime search and rescue is coordinated by the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) while aeronautical rescue is delegated through the UK Ministry of Defence to the Royal Air Force, and land-based operations are usually coordinated by the local Police force. The operation itself is carried out with aircraft from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force or Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats and police, military or volunteer mountain rescue or ALSAR (Association of Lowland Search and Rescue) teams. Aeronautical rescue and associated aircraft coordination is carried out by the UK Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) based at RAF Kinloss in the north of Scotland. The centre is responsible for tasking and coordinating all of the UK's search and rescue helicopter and RAF mountain rescue teams.[110][111]

In 2006, the government announced controversial plans to effectively privatise provision of search and rescue helicopters in order to replace the aging Sea Kings currently in use, although they have suggested that crews may, at least partially, still be made up of military personnel.[112] In February 2010, Soteria SAR was announced as the preferred bidder for the UK SAR programme.[113] On 8 February 2011, after more controversy, Soteria was disallowed the contract due to irregularities regarding the conduct of their bid team,[114] and a spending review carried out by the new Conservative Government.[115] The program, SAR-H, was re-opened for bids on 28 November 2011. The £1.6 billion contract was awarded to Bristow Helicopters, to take over UK SAR operations by 2017. The new service will operate Sikorsky S-92 helicopters from existing MCA bases at Stornoway and Sumburgh, and at new bases at Newquay, Caernarfon and Humberside airports. AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters will operate from Lee-on-Solent, Prestwick, and new bases at St Athan, Inverness and Manston Airports.[116]

Local resources include:

United States

Main article: Search and rescue in the United States
US Coast Guard Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin SAR helicopter
US Coast Guard Sikorsky HH-60 Jayhawk SAR helicopter

In the United States there are many organizations with SAR responsibilities at the national, state and local level.

In January 2008, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the National Response Framework which serves as the guiding document for a federal response during a national emergency. Search and Rescue is divided into 4 primary elements, while assigning a federal agency with the lead role for each of the 4 elements.[123]

In the U.S., SAR standards are developed primarily by ASTM International and the U.S. NFPA which are then used by organizations such as the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA), the U.S. National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR), and the NFPA to develop training that will meet or exceed those standards.[124] Within ASTM International, most standards of relevance to SAR are developed by Committee F32 on Search and Rescue. Formed in 1988, the committee had 85 current members and jurisdiction of 38 approved standards.[124]

Vietnam

In Vietnam, the National Committee of Search and Rescue is directly under the command of Ministry of Defence. The National Committee of Search and Rescue is responsible for searching, rescueing and disaster relief.[125]

In addition, the Vietnam Firefighting Force is another rescue force which is responsible for rescuing people during fires. The force is under command of the Ministry of Public Security.[126]

Aircraft

Rotary and fixed wing aircraft are used for air and sea rescue. A list of common aircraft used:

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Canadian Forces (May 1998). "B–GA–209–001/FP–001 DFO 5449 NATIONAL SAR MANUAL" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2008-08-03. Retrieved 2008-07-12. 
  2. ↑ USCG CHAPTER 9 SEARCH AND RESCUE
  3. ↑ U.S. Department of Defense (January 2006). "U.S. Department of Defense DIRECTIVE NUMBER 3003.01" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-07-12. 
  4. ↑ Major, R. H. (editor) (1859) Early Voyages to Terra Australis, Now Called Australia, The Hakluyt Society, London (2001 facsimile edition on Google Books)
  5. ↑ Rear Admiral Walter T. Piotti (Photo [7]), Commander of Task Force 71 of U.S. 7th Fleet, stated in his After Action Report (Department of the Navy, Commander, Surface Combat Force Seventh Fleet. CTF75/N32:kpm,4730,Ser 011, 15 November 1983)
  6. ↑ Barry, Ellen (December 1999). "Alzheimer's Wanders Stir Concerns". Retrieved 2010-01-11. 
  7. ↑ U.S. Department of Homeland Security (May 2009). "Urban Search and Rescue (US&R)". Retrieved 2010-01-11. 
  8. ↑ U.S. Department of Homeland Security (May 2009). "About US&R". Retrieved 2010-01-11. 
  9. ↑ SPG Media Limited/Army-Technology.com (2009). "Term: Combat Search and Rescue". Retrieved 2009-06-03. 
  10. ↑ Algeo, John. Fifty years among the new words: a dictionary of neologisms, 1941–1991, pp. 39, 106–107. Cambridge University Press, 1993. ISBN 0-521-44971-5
  11. ↑ See the map provided by the IMO ocean atlas
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Australian Maritime Safety Authority (June 2009). "Search & Rescue". Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  13. ↑ The first suggestion made to use helicopters in Australian searches for missing people, sea rescues, and general support during bush-fires, floods, etc. was made in a letter to the editor, written from the Brisbane suburb of Balmoral, and published in the Brisbane Courier-Mail at the end of 1953 (Value of Helicopter, (Letter to the Editor, from "Wake Up, Australia"), Courier Mail, (Thursday, 31 December 1953), p.2.)
  14. ↑ "Air Search Observation". 
  15. ↑ State of Victoria (June 2007). "Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad". Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  16. ↑ Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad Inc (November 2009). "A remote area search & rescue service for NSW". Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  17. ↑ Bush Search and Rescue Victoria (October 2009). "Bush Search and Rescue Victoria". Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  18. ↑ State of New South Wales (December 2008). "About the SES". Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  19. ↑ Rashad Suleymanov (2009-10-27). "Azerbaijan State Maritime Administration issues statement on rescuing Russia’s cargo ship". Azeri Press Agency. Retrieved 2010-12-28. 
  20. ↑ Belgische Defensie (2009). "Vliegbasis Koksijde (Dutch language)". Retrieved 2009-11-04. 
  21. ↑ "Busca e Salvamento (in Portuguese)". 
  22. ↑ Royal Canadian Mounted Police (December 2006). "RCMP Search and Rescue". Retrieved 27 October 2010. 
  23. ↑ Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (November 2011). "103 Search and Rescue Squadron". Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
  24. ↑ Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (December 2008). "413 Transport and Rescue Squadron". Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
  25. ↑ Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (August 2010). "424 Transport and Rescue Squadron". Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
  26. ↑ Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (December 2008). "435 Transport and Rescue Squadron". Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
  27. ↑ Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (October 2011). "442 Transport and Rescue Squadron". Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
  28. ↑ Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (April 2012). "417 Combat Support Squadron". Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
  29. ↑ Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (December 2008). "439 Combat Support Squadron". Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
  30. ↑ Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (April 2012). "444 Combat Support Squadron". Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
  31. ↑ Canada Task Force 2 (2010). "Canadian Task Force Two". Retrieved 24 July 2011. 
  32. ↑ Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (2006). "Civil Air Search and Rescue Association National Website". Retrieved 2009-05-11. 
  33. ↑ Technical Search and Rescue (2010). "Technical Search and Rescue". Retrieved 2010-01-18. 
  34. ↑ Halifax Regional Search and Rescue
  35. ↑ North Shore Rescue (2009). "North Shore Rescue". Retrieved 2009-03-21. 
  36. ↑ "Pincher Creek Search & Rescue". Archived from the original on 2004-06-13. Retrieved 28 July 2012. 
  37. ↑ Québec Secours (2009). "Québec Secours". Retrieved 2009-05-08. 
  38. ↑ Nocturne Communications (2004). "River Valley Ground Search and Rescue". Retrieved 2009-04-07. 
  39. ↑ Roberts Bank Lifeboat (January 2010). "Roberts Bank Lifeboat". Retrieved 2010-01-20. 
  40. ↑ "About RCM-SAR". Rcmsar.com. Retrieved 2012-07-11. 
  41. ↑ Search and Rescue Global 1 (June 2010). "Search and Rescue Global 1". Retrieved 2010-06-15. 
  42. ↑ "Search and Rescue Manitoba". September 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-13. 
  43. ↑ Canadian Task Force One (2010). "Canadian Task Force One". Retrieved 2010-01-18. 
  44. ↑ York Sunbury Search & Rescue
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "JRCC Larnaca History" Retrieved on 2013-07-02
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "JRCC Larnaca Subordination-Base" Retrieved on 2013-07-02
  47. ↑ "JRCC Larnaca Mission" Retrieved on 2013-07-02
  48. ↑ "JRCC Larnaca Secondary Units" Retrieved on 2013-07-02
  49. ↑ "Bornholms Marinedistrikt: SAREX '07". Retrieved 2008-07-07.  (Danish)
  50. ↑ "Flyvertaktisk kommando: Scan-SAR '06". Retrieved 2008-07-07.  (Danish)
  51. ↑ "Flyvevåbnets historie". Retrieved 2008-07-09.  (Danish)
  52. ↑ "Danish air force S-61A fact sheet" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2008-08-03. Retrieved 2008-07-09.  (Danish)
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "Temadag om søredning og badesikkerhed". Retrieved 2008-07-09.  (Danish)
  54. ↑ "Pictures from the public display". Retrieved 2008-07-09. 
  55. ↑ "Piirivalve ajalugu ja sümboolika (In Estonian language)". 
  56. ↑ Suomen Pelastusalan Keskusjärjestö (undated). "Turvalliseen huomiseen (Finnish language)". Retrieved 2009-09-21. 
  57. ↑ Suomen Meripelastusseura Ry (undated). "SAR - Search and rescue (Finnish language)". Retrieved 2009-09-21. 
  58. ↑ Punainen Risti (undated). "Finnish Red Cross". Retrieved 2009-09-21. 
  59. ↑ "German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS)". Retrieved 2008-08-27. 
  60. ↑ Team www.rth.info (2002). "Bundeswehr (in German language)". Retrieved 2008-05-22. 
  61. ↑ "Search and rescue". Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 "The Government Flying Service". Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. August 14, 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2010. 
  63. ↑ "Civil Aid Service Hong Kong". Safety Training. Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010. 
  64. ↑ Icelandic Coast Guard (undated). "The Icelandic Coast Guard". Retrieved 2008-03-07. 
  65. ↑ Slysavarnafélaginu Landsbjörg (undated). "ICE-SAR A Tale of Great Achievements". Retrieved 2008-03-07. 
  66. ↑ Skógarhlíð (January 2010). "Reports from Haiti". Retrieved 2010-01-23. 
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 Department of Transport (2002). "Irish Coast Guard IRCG". Retrieved 2008-02-24. 
  68. ↑ "RNLI Lifeboat Stations in Ireland". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 6 October 2009. 
  69. ↑ "Coastguard Teams". Irish Coast Guard. Retrieved 6 October 2009. 
  70. ↑ "Community Rescue Boats Ireland". Irish Coast Guard. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009. 
  71. ↑ Mountain Rescue Ireland (2009). "Team Information". Retrieved 2010-01-05. 
  72. ↑ The Role of the Defence Forces
  73. ↑ Army Ranger Wing Roles
  74. ↑ Army Ranger Wing (ARW) carry out Mountain Rescue
  75. ↑ Naval Service Roles
  76. ↑ The Role of the Air Corps
  77. ↑ The Home Front Command (undated). "Combat SAR battalions Shahar and Kedem". Retrieved 18 May 2011. 
  78. ↑ Capitanerie di porto - Guardia Costiera (2006). "Capitanerie di porto - Guardia Costiera". Archived from the original on 2008-07-29. Retrieved 2008-11-11. 
  79. ↑ 15° Stormo
  80. ↑ In primo piano
  81. ↑ "SDC Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria - News Detail". Swiss-cooperation.admin.ch. 2013-05-23. Retrieved 2013-07-21. 
  82. ↑ Maritime Administration (undated). "Maritime Services". Retrieved 2010-01-11. 
  83. ↑ Search and Rescue Training Centre - Armed Forces of Malta (2004). "Search and Rescue (SAR) in Malta". Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
  84. ↑ "Search and Rescue training". YouTube. 2007-11-29. Retrieved 2012-04-08. 
  85. ↑ Search and Rescue Training Centre - Armed Forces of Malta (2004). "Search and Rescue Training Centre - AFM". Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
  86. ↑ U.S. Department of State. (November 2007). "AFM SAR TC Graduation". Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
  87. ↑ Brincat, Erika F. (undated). "Search and rescue training certificates awarded". Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
  88. ↑ MaltaMedia News. (January 2008). "Search & Rescue meeting between Libya and Malta". Retrieved 2008-03-15. 
  89. ↑ NLMARFOR (May 2008). "VGSQ 7 (Dutch language article)". Retrieved 2008-05-30. 
  90. ↑ 90.0 90.1 Civil Aviation Auithority of New Zealand (undated). "AIPA New Zealand GEN 3.6 Search and Rescue". Retrieved 2008-02-24. 
  91. ↑ "About our Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ)". Maritime New Zealand. undated. Retrieved 30 May 2010. 
  92. ↑ Maritime New Zealand (undated). "Contact RCCNZ". Retrieved 30 May 2010. 
  93. ↑ "New Zealand Fire Service - Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)". Fire.org.nz. Retrieved 2012-04-08. 
  94. ↑ "The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management: NZ Response Teams". Civildefence.govt.nz. 2011-01-14. Retrieved 2012-04-08. 
  95. ↑ NZ Land SAR Search Dogs
  96. ↑ 96.0 96.1 Redningsselskapet (November 2008). "Redningsselskapet (in the Norwegian language)". Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  97. ↑ The NAWSARH Project
  98. ↑ Portuguese Air Force
  99. ↑ The Santa Maria FIR
  100. ↑ Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service
  101. ↑ SASAR (undated). "Who are we?". Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  102. ↑ Wilderness Search and Rescue, Western Cape (undated). "Wilderness Search and Rescue, Western Cape". Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  103. ↑ The Off Road Rescue Unit (undated). "The Off Road Rescue Unit". Retrieved 2011-08-26. 
  104. ↑ Rescue South Africa (undated). "Rescue South Africa". Retrieved 2011-08-26. 
  105. ↑ Salvamento Marítimo (undated). "Salvamento Marítimo (Spanish)". Retrieved 18 May 2011. 
  106. ↑ Swedish Maritime Administration (January 2011). "Maritime Search and Rescue". Retrieved 29 April 2011. 
  107. ↑ "Vi räddar liv till sjöss". Retrieved 9 March 2012. 
  108. ↑ REGA official website
  109. ↑ (Ukrainian)The page of the Ukrainian Search and Rescue at the Ministry of Emergencies website
  110. ↑ ARCC Kinloss (2005). "Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre". Retrieved 2008-02-24. 
  111. ↑ Royal National Lifeboat Institution (2009). "Royal National Lifeboat Institution". Retrieved 2009-11-06. 
  112. ↑ BBC (2006-05-09). "Private bids plan for air rescue". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-02-24. 
  113. ↑ "Press Release". Soteria SAR. 9 Feb 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2010. 
  114. ↑ "Search and Rescue (Helicopter) Project". Dft.gov.uk. Retrieved 2012-06-28. 
  115. ↑ "UK Government suspends SAR-H helicopter programme - News - Shephard". Shephardmedia.com. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2012-06-28. 
  116. ↑ "Search and rescue helicopters". Department for Transport. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-31. 
  117. ↑ LAMRT (May 2011). "Langdale Ambleside MRT". Retrieved 7 May 2011. 
  118. ↑ Lincolnshire Urban Search & Rescue (undated). "Lincolnshire Urban Search & Rescue". Retrieved 2009-05-22. 
  119. ↑ Surrey Today (January 2011). "Volunteers needed to aid search and rescue". Retrieved 20 June 2011. 
  120. ↑ SEBEV Search & Rescue (November 2009). "SEBEV Search and Rescue". Retrieved 2009-10-18. 
  121. ↑ South Lakes Search & Rescue (March 2010). "South Lakes Search & Rescue". Retrieved 28 March 2010. 
  122. ↑ "ERT Search and Rescue". 
  123. ↑ [http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/nrf-annexes-all.pdf, Section ESF #9-1]
  124. ↑ 124.0 124.1 O'Toole, Thomas F. (undated). "Committee F32 on Search and Rescue". Retrieved 2008-02-24. 
  125. ↑ CỦA THỦ TƯỚNG CHÍNH PHỦ Số 780/TTg NGÀY 23 THÁNG 10 NĂM 1996 VỀ VIỆC THÀNH LẬP ỦY BAN QUỐC GIA TÌM KIẾM - CỨU NẠN TRÊN KHÔNG VÀ TRÊN BIỂN (Vietnamese language)
  126. ↑ Tổ chức bộ máy lực lượng Cảnh sát phòng cháy và chữa cháy (Vietnamese language)]

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