Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. 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 includemountain rescue; ground search and rescue, including the use ofsearch and rescue dogs (such asK9 units);urban search and rescue in cities;combat search and rescue on the battlefield andair-sea rescue over water.
International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) is a UN organisation that promotes the exchange of information between national urban search and rescue organisations. The duty to render assistance is covered by Article 98 of theUNCLOS.
There are many different definitions of search and rescue, depending on the agency involved and country in question.
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One of the world's earliest well-documented SAR efforts ensued following the 1656 wreck of theDutch merchant shipVergulde Draeck off the west coast ofAustralia. Survivors sought help, and in response three separate SAR missions were conducted, without success.[5][better source needed]
On 29 November 1945, a Sikorsky R-5 performed the first civilian helicopter rescue operation in history, with Sikorsky's chief pilot Dmitry "Jimmy" Viner in the cockpit, using an experimental hoist developed jointly bySikorsky andBreeze. All five crew members of an oil barge, which had run aground onPenfield Reef, were saved before the barge sank.[6]
In 1983,Korean Air Lines Flight 007 with 269 occupants was shot down by a Soviet aircraft nearSakhalin. 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.[7]
In July 2009,Air France Flight 447 was lost in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. An international SAR effort was launched, to no avail. A third effort nearly two years later discovered the crash site and recovered theflight recorders.
In early 2014,Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 crashed under mysterious circumstances. Many nations contributed to the initial SAR effort, which was fruitless. In June 2014, theAustralian Transport Safety Bureau commissioned the MVFugro Equator to lead a three-month survey of the ocean bed. As of 2014[update], the search for Flight 370 had become the largest SAR to date.[8][9]
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Ground search and rescue is the search for persons who are lost or in distress on land or inland waterways. People may go missing for a variety of reasons. Some may disappear voluntarily, due to issues likedomestic abuse. Others disappear for involuntary reasons such as mental illness, getting lost, an accident, death in a location where they cannot be found or, less commonly, due toabduction. Ground search and rescue missions that occur in urban areas should not be confused with "urban search and rescue", which in many jurisdictions refers to the location and extraction of people from collapsed buildings or other entrapments.[10]
In some countries, thepolice are the primary agency for carrying out searches for a missing person on land. Some places have voluntary search and rescue teams that can be called out to assist these searches.
Search and rescue agencies may contain small specialist teams for executing operations where there are specific environmental risks. Examples include swift water rescue, flood response, technical rope rescue, confined space rescue, over-snow rescue, and thin ice rescue.
Mountain rescue relates to search and rescue operations specifically in rugged and mountainous terrain.
Cave rescue is a highly specialised form of rescue for rescuing injured, trapped or lostcave explorers.
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 specialised 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. Whileearthquakes have traditionally been the cause of US&R operations,terrorist attacks and extreme weather such astornadoes andhurricanes have also resulted in the deployment of these resources.[11]
Combat search and rescue (CSAR) is search and rescue operations that are carried out during war that are within or near combat zones.[12][unreliable source?]
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Maritime search and rescue is carried out at sea to save sailors and passengers in distress, or the survivors of downed aircraft. The type of agency which carries out maritime search and rescue varies by country; it may variously be thecoast guard,navy or voluntary organisations. When a distressed or missing vessel is located, these organisations deploy helicopters, rescue vessels or any other appropriate vessel to return them to land. In some cases, the agencies may carry out anair-sea rescue (ASR). This refers to the combined use of aircraft (such asflying boats,floatplanes,amphibious helicopters and non-amphibious helicopters equipped with hoists) and surface vessels.[13] Another type of Maritime search and rescue isSubmarine rescue. TheInternational Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR Convention) is the legal framework that applies to international maritime and air-sea rescue.[14]
The Australian search and rescue service is provided by three authorities; the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) at theAustralian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the State/Territory Police Jurisdictions. In a very broad sense, the JRCC respond to national and international registered aircraft, off shore marine incidents and beacon activations. The ADF are responsible for Australian and foreign military personnel, vehicles, vessels and aircraft while within the Australian SRR. Police are responsible for coastal marine incidents, lost persons, unregistered aircraft, inland waterways, ports and identified beacons.[15] The JRCC operates a 24-hour Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) inCanberra and is responsible for the national coordination of both maritime and aviation search and rescue. The JRCC is also responsible for the management and operation of the Australianground segment of theCospas-Sarsat distress beacon detection system. The JRCC's jurisdiction spans Australia and as well as covering 52.8 million square kilometres of theIndian,Pacific andSouthern Oceans[15] constituting about 11% of the Earth's surface.[16]
The JRCC is staffed by SAR specialists who have a naval,merchant marine, air force,civil aviation or police service background. The JRCC also coordinates medical evacuations, broadcasts maritime safety information and operates the Australian Ship Reporting System (AUSREP).[15] In coordinating search and rescue missions, the JRCC will call on assistance from organisations as appropriate,[17] 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 theState Emergency Service.[18] There are also other organisations, such as the non-profitWestpac 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 Police in many states operate state-based search and rescue squads, such as theVictoria 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.[19] There are also state-based volunteer search and rescue groups such as theNSW SES Bush Search and Rescue inNew South Wales andBush Search and Rescue Victoria[20] inVictoria. These state-based groups draw searchers from bushwalking, mountaineering and specialist rescue clubs within their State. A few groups respond on horseback asmounted search and rescue. TheState 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.[21]
Search and rescue operations in Azerbaijan are managed by theMinistry of Emergency Situations onshore in cooperation with theState Civil Aviation Administration in air and theState Maritime Administration offshore.[22]
Search and rescue duties along the Belgian part of theNorth Sea are executed by theBelgian Air Component. From itsKoksijde Air Base it operatesNH-90 helicopters.[23]
Search and rescue duties inBrazil are the responsibility of the Salvarmar Brasil (MRCC Brazil), of theBrazilian Navy and Divisão de Busca e Salvamento (D-SAR) (English: Search and Rescue Division), of theBrazilian Air Force.[24]
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Air and marine Search and rescue duties in Canada are the responsibility of theCanadian Armed Forces andCanadian Coast Guard in conjunction with volunteer organisations. The Department of National Defence (DND) has overall responsibility for the coordinated search and rescue system. SAR operations are organised byJoint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCC). The JRCC are staffed 24 hours a day by SAR Co-ordinators from the Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Armed Forces. Authority for the provision of maritime SAR is assigned to theMinister of Fisheries and Oceans by theCanada Shipping Act and theCanada Oceans Act.[1] Ground and inland water search and rescue (GSAR) is the responsibility of provinces and territories with theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other police forces coordinating operations, often using volunteer GSAR teams operating in specific areas under provincial coordinating bodies.[25]
The Canada Shipping Act, most recently passed in 2001, is the framework document that funds international SAR activities.[26]
The Canadian Armed Forces have 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:
InCroatia the SAR Service is part of theCroatian Navy and theCroatian Coast Guard with their headquarters inRijeka.[52]
TheCyprus Republic Search and Rescue (SAR) system is organised by theCyprus 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 theCyprus Air Force Command.[53]
On 1 March 2002, the JRCC took full responsibility for investigating, organising, coordinating and executing every SAR incident-operation in the Republic of Cyprus Search & Rescue Region (SRR).[53] 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.[54] Its primary mission is to organise 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 NicosiaFIR), 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.[55] This is achieved by coordinating all the different agencies involved such as the Cyprus Police Aviation Unit, theCyprus Port and Naval Police, theCyprus National GuardNaval Command, theCyprus National GuardAir Force Command, theCyprus Civil Defence and other secondary units.[56]
The JRCC reports directly to the operational control of the Ministry of Defence and it is staffed by qualified personnel of theCyprus National Guard, mainly from the branches of theNavy and theAir Force.[54]
There are also search and rescue teams inNorthern Cyprus. Search and rescue operators inTurkish Republic of North Cyprus are primarily:
Military
Search and rescue operators inDenmark are primarily:Danish air force Squadron 722,Danish navy air squadron, naval home guard and theDanish Maritime Safety Administration, coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, operated by the navy and air force in theDanish Naval Commands facilities nearAarhus. Internationally the Danish works mainly withGermany,Norway andSweden. With the two latter, the annual exercisesBaltic SAREX[63] andScan-SAR[64] are conducted.
SAR services in Denmark started in 1957 with sevenSikorsky S-55s. Theirpiston 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 localise 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.,[65] but civilian SAR duties are also conducted.
In 1962, eight ship-basedAérospatiale 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 SikorskyS-61A helicopters.[66]
In 2007, theDanish Defence held a public display inHorsens, 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.[67][68]
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,[69] as well as the naval vessels at sea. The EH-101s operate from bases inAalborg,Skrydstrup andRoskilde. When the sea water temperatures are low a helicopter is also deployed to the island ofBornholm in theBaltic Sea. The Lynx operates fromKarup. Maritime vessels are spread out through the entire coastline and on islands. The S-61s and EH-101s have a crew of six: twopilots, anavigator, aflight engineer, aphysician and arescue swimmer.
TheEstonian 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.[70]
In Finland local rescue services (i.e. fire departments) are responsible for land and inland water SAR, the Border Guard is responsible for maritime areas. These organisations alert and decide on the most suitable response for the location and situation. The country also has several volunteer organisations such as the volunteer fire department (VPK),[71] the Finnish Lifeboat Institution (SMPS)[72] and the Red Cross Finland (SPR).[73]
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TheSociété Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (SNSM) provides sea rescue on the French coast and at seas. In 2016, they helped 7,500 people in 5,200 rescues. The service has 41 all-weather rescue boats, 34 first-class rescue boats and 76 second-class lifeboats.[74][75][76]In France, Search and rescue operations are led by different entities according to the rescue area. For sea rescue, the French navy use airborne unit (e.g. Flottille 33F in Brittany) and specialised boats (e.g. "L'abeille Bourbon"). In Mountains, French gendarmerie is equipped with EC-145 'chouka'. In the other areas, French civil protection agency "Securité Civile" works with paramedics, fire unit and hospital mobile unit using EC-145 'Dragon'.
Search and Rescue in German waters is conducted by theGerman Maritime Search and Rescue Service with air support by theGerman Navy, theFederal Police and theGerman Army Aviation. All incoming requests are coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center inBremen. The DGzRS is a non-governmental organisation entirely supported by donations.[77]
Besides the offshore Search And Rescue services, the German Army Aviation provides 3 SAR Command Posts on a 24/7 basis at Holzdorf Air Base with the Airbus H145 LUH SAR (Light Utility Helikopter Search and Rescue) and at Nörvenich Air Base and 2 at Niederstetten Army Airfield.[78]
Further, theTechnisches 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.[79]
SAR operations are conducted by theGovernment Flying Service (GFS) and before 1993 by theRoyal 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).[80]
As of 2020, the GFS fleet consists of nine aircraft including:[80]
Other civilian search and rescue units in Hong Kong include:
The Icelandic Coast Guard is responsible for coordinating all maritime and aviation search and rescue activities in the Icelandic Search and Rescue Region (SRR), that has the sise of 1.9 million square kilometres. The Icelandic Coast Guard operates JRCC ICELAND in combination with the Coast Guard's operation centre, the maritime traffic service and the coastal radio stations. If aircraft crash site is located on land the control of the rescue operations is diverted to the Icelandic Police, which is responsible for SAR operations on land. The Icelandic Coast Guard (JRCC ICELAND) is the Cospas-Sarsat SAR Point of Contact. ISAVIA, which operates the Air Traffic Control in Iceland, is responsible for the aviation alerting services. TheIcelandic Coast Guard operates maritime patrol aircraft, SAR helicopters and patrol vessels.[82]
TheIcelandic Association for Search and Rescue (Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg) (ICESAR) is a volunteer organisation with about 100 rescue teams located all around the island. ICESAR is a great support to SAR operations both on land and sea. All the rescue teams contain groups of specially trained individuals.[83]
A specialised INSARAG External Classification certified rubble rescue squad operates under the Icelandic Association of Search and Rescue. It was the first rescue squad to arrive inHaiti following theearthquake of 2010.[84][failed verification]
TheNational Search and Rescue Agency of Indonesia known in Indonesian asBadan Nasional Pencarian dan Pertolongan abbreviated "BASARNAS", is a government agency responsible for conducting search and rescue duties nationally inIndonesia. BASARNAS may also be assisted in conducting SAR in Indonesia by theTNI,Mobile Brigade Corps, and localFire brigade units.[85]
Maritime SAR services are provided by two civilian bodies – theIrish Coast Guard[86] and theRNLI. The Coast Guard has responsibility for the Irish Search and Rescue Region.[87] TheRoyal National Lifeboat Institution has 43 lifeboat stations including inland stations at Enniskillen and Lough Derg,[88] the coastguard inshore rescue boats,[89] and community rescue boats at fifteen stations: Ballinskelligs, County Kerry; Ballybunion, County Kerry; Ballyheigue, County Kerry; Banna, County Kerry; Bantry, County Cork; Bunmahon, County Waterford; Cahore, County Wexford; Carna, County Galway; Corrib/Mask Lakes, County Galway; Derrynane, County Kerry; Limerick City (River Shannon); Mallow Search and Rescue, County Cork; Schull, County Cork; Tramore, County Waterford; Waterford City River Rescue; Waterford Marine Search and Rescue.[90] There are some 25 otherindependent rescue services.[90]
Mountain Rescue in Ireland is provided by 12 voluntary teams based in different regions of the country.[91]
The IRCG operate a number of contracted Sikorsky Search and Rescue helicopters from bases in Dublin, Waterford, Shannon and Sligo under the €500 million contract, from 2010, a previous fleet ofSikorsky S-61N helicopters were replaced with five newerSikorsky S-92 helicopters.[92][93] One of the new S-92 helicopters is located at each of the four IRCG bases, with one spare replacement aircraft being rotated between bases.[94]
The Irish Coast Guard are launching a tender for a future SAR Aviation Contract,[95] which is one of several tenders for similar services.[96]
TheIrish Air Corps provide top cover for search and rescue over land or sea[97] and is available for maritime and mountain rescue if needed. TheIrish Naval Service frequently assists the other agencies in search and rescue. Its patrol ships at sea and the communications centre atHaulbowline maintain a 24-hour watch on all distress frequencies.
Civil Defence Ireland also operates a range of land and inland water search and rescue services.[98]
SAR in Israel is the responsibility of theIDFHome Front CommandSearch 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.[99]
The SAR unit is a rapid mobilisation 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 theBahad 16 Unit training facility. With a focus on urban SAR, the unit operates specialised 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 usesSearch and rescue dogs specially trained to locate people buried under debris.
Israeli SAR resources
Italian SAR operations are carried out by theGuardia Costiera,[100] backed up by naval aviation and the air force, including Aeronautica Militare Comando 15° Stormo (15th Wing),[101] theItalian Red Cross,[102] and other organisations.
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.[103]
The Kenya Maritime Authority and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority are responsible for Aeronautical SAR within Kenya's waterways and aerospace respectively.[104][105]
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.[106]
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For land rescue, Malaysia has two primary SAR units: theSpecial Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), which reports to theNational Security Council, and theMalaysian Fire and Rescue Department's (FRDM)Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) unit. They are sometimes aided by the jungle experts, theaboriginal police unit namedSenoi Praaq,Royal Malaysian Police (RMP)VAT 69 Commando, theMalaysian Armed Forces'special operations force, and theMalaysian Civil Defence Force.[107] Both SMART and STORM, as with other FRDM'sspecial operations, often participate in international SAR missions.[108][109][110][111]
For maritime SAR, it is the responsibility ofMalaysia Coast Guard and FRDM, along with support from the RMP'sMarine Operations Force and theRoyal Malaysian Air Force'sPASKAU.[112][113]
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The responsibility for SAR at sea in the Malta Search and Rescue Region falls under theArmed 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.[114]
The AFM, in close collaboration with the US Coast Guard, also runs a Search and Rescue Training Centre for International Students[115] in Maritime SAR Mission Co-ordination and Planning.[116] To date more than 30 foreign students from 15 countries including Albania, Cameroon, Croatia, Equatorial Guinea and Kenya have attended these courses.[117][118]
Malta is also in talks withLibya about enhancing SAR cooperation between the two countries.[119][needs update]
SAR responsibility in the Netherlands is held by theNetherlands Coastguard, carried out by vessels and aircraft from various organisations among which mostly theRoyal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution, theDutch Lifeguard Association, theMinistry of Transport and Water Management and theMinistry of Defence (Netherlands).
New Zealand's Search and Rescue Region extends from theSouth Pole to the southern border of theHonolulu region, including Norfolk, Tonga, Samoa, andCook Islands.[120]
Smaller searches known as Category one searches are controlled by theNew Zealand Police Search and Rescue, who call on LandSAR and often the Police Dog Section for land-based operations, such as for losthikers known astramping in New Zealand, police also call on theRoyal New Zealand Coastguard for coastal maritime incidents within 12 nautical miles of the shore. Larger maritime search and rescue events known as Category two searches, such as searches for emergency beacons, reports of overdue aircraft, etc, fall under the control of the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ), based inAvalon, which coordinates response from local coastguard, helicopter operators, merchant marine,air force andnaval resources.[120][121][122][123]
Urban Search and Rescue falls primarily within the domain of theFire and Emergency New Zealand, particularly the three USAR Taskforce groups based inPalmerston North,Christchurch, andAuckland. These teams draw together numerous specialists and organisations to achieve an integrated multi-agency response.[124]
Among those organisations that act in a support capacity for FENZ 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 FENZ firefighters. Response Teams are registered with theMinistry 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.[125] Many Response Teams were deployed to assist in the rescue and recovery effort of the2011 Christchurch earthquake.
Other resources:
On a national level and on sea, two agencies maintain the responsibility of leading search and rescue missions: theJoint Rescue Coordination Centre of Southern Norway and theJoint Rescue Coordination Centre of Northern Norway.
In case of local search and rescue missions, particularly on land and usually missing person cases, each of Norway'spolice districts are responsible of leading search and rescue missions on behalf of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centres. The police can call in both civilian, military and voluntary units with various and specialised competencies for carrying out the search and rescue mission, such as:
Professionals:
Volunteers:
All voluntary organisations associated with search and rescue in Norway that are recognised by the JRCC's and the police, are members of the Voluntary Organizations' Rescue Forum (Frivillige Organisasjoners Redningsfaglige Forum;FORF).
Although the voluntary organisations are represented on a national level, the organisations are usually independent on local levels. They are governed likeconfederacies – e.g.Sandefjord Red Cross is an independent organisation, but is still a subject to the regionalVestfold Red Cross and thereafter the nationalNorwegian Red Cross.
Depending on each local organisation's needs and budgets, the voluntary organisations may have specialised equipment for carrying out missions effectively, such asboats,all-terrain vehicles,snowmobiles,ambulances, andquadcopters with thermal cameras. Depending on geography and other local circumstances, the local voluntary organisations tend to course their volunteers in fields that are relevant to the local and surrounding areas. Some local voluntary organisations have blueemergency lights and sirens on their vehicles, though orange and white lights without sirens are more common.
TheNo. 330 Squadron of theRoyal Norwegian Air Force is the only dedicated search and rescue unit operated by the Norwegian government. The squadron operates a total of 16AgustaWestland AW101, codenamedSAR Queen. Until 2023, the RNoAF used 16Westland Sea Kings.[127] There have been issues with the phasing in theSAR Queen, due to landing sites across the country not being sized for the increased downwash.[128]
All organisations, either professional or voluntary, have access to thePublic Safety Network.
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The agencies responsible for Search and Rescue activities in thePhilippines are:
Three different agencies are responsible for providing search and rescue inPortugal. ThePortuguese Navy is responsible for all sea rescues, thePortuguese Air Force[129] for all the rescues originating within the airspace, including aircraft crashes and theAutoridade 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.
The Portuguese area of responsibility comprises the Lisbon and Santa MariaFlight Information Regions (FIR).[130]
In Poland most search and rescue operations are undertaken by the airborne units of thePolish 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)[131] 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 oflifeboats.
Other civilian search and rescue units in Poland include:
Search and Rescue services are offered by various government departments, non governmental organisations, commercial/private organisations and voluntary 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 Organisation (SASAR). SASAR is a voluntary organisation 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 RCCs (Aeronatautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) or Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)) coordinate the search and rescue missions. These operations are carried out by other government departments, non governmental organisations, commercial/private organisations and voluntary organisations.[132][133]
Local resources:
Search and rescue duties in Spain are the responsibility of the national government, in conjunction with regional and municipal governments. TheSociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Marítima is the main organisation, and has overall responsibility for the maritime search and rescue, that also coordinates the SAR efforts with other agencies:[139]
TheSwedish Maritime Administration is responsible for maritime SAR in Swedish waters, and operate sevenAgustaWestland AW139 SAR helicopters from five bases along the coast of Sweden.[140][141] Together with theSwedish Sea Rescue Society and theSwedish Coast Guard they are carrying out Sar in Swedish waters. The Coast guard has 31 larger Ships and 3De Havilland Canada Dash 8 aeroplanes for SAR. TheSwedish Sea Rescue Society is an organisation aiming at saving lives and recovering property at sea. The society operates 68 search and rescue stations and some 185 ships crewed by 2100 volunteers, of those 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 is involved 70% of the number SAR missions in Swedish waters.[142]
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REGA (SchweizerischeREttungsflugwacht /GardeAérienne /GuardiaAerea) is the air rescue service which provides emergency medical assistance inSwitzerland, 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.[143]
National Airborne Service Corps (NASC;Chinese:內政部空中勤務總隊;pinyin:Nèizhèngbù Kōngzhōng Qínwù Zǒngduì) is the agency of theMinistry of the Interior of theRepublic of China responsible for executing and providing support for search and rescue, disaster relief, emergency medical service, transportation, monitoring, reconnaissance and patrol inTaiwan.[144]
Coast Guard Administration (CGA;Chinese:行政院海岸巡防署;pinyin:Xíngzhèngyuàn Hǎi'àn Xúnfáng Shǔ) is charged with maintaining coastal waters and the pelagic zone patrols, smuggling and stowaway crackdowns, maritime rescues, natural resource conservation, and public services. The CGA is considered a civilian law enforcement agency under the administration of theExecutive Yuan, though during emergencies it may be incorporated as part of theRepublic of China Armed Forces.[145]
Search and Rescue operators inTurkey are primarily:
Civil governmental and non-governmental organisations
Military
InUkraine search and rescue is conducted by theState Search and Rescue Aviation Service of theMinistry of Emergencies of Ukraine Ukraviaposhuk.[157]
In theUK, land-based searches for amissing person are usually coordinated by the localpolice. There is a network of local volunteer agencies that can be called out to assist these searches, which are part of theAssociation of Lowland Search And Rescue. Other voluntary agencies exist to provide specialist search and rescue services, such as theCave Rescue Organisation andMountain Rescue Committee of Scotland. These organisations are usually called out indirectly by the police. For example, theBritish Cave Rescue Council advises that if someone goes missing in a cave, callers should contact the local police who will then summon cave rescue.[158]Urban search and rescue units are run by thefire services.
His Majesty's Coastguard are in charge of maritime search and rescue missions. The Coastguard is one of the four emergency services that can be contacted on999. Their role is to initiate and coordinate the searches.Lifeboats are provided by volunteer agencies, often by theRoyal National Lifeboat Institution, but also by manyIndependent Lifeboats. Aircraft for anair-sea rescue were originally provided by theRoyal Navy andRoyal Air Force. Under the programmeUK-SAR, they are now operated under contract byBristow Helicopters.[159] The Maritime & Coastguard Agency are launching a tender for their second generation UK search and rescue aviation programme (UKSAR2G),[160] which is one of several tenders for similar services.[96]
Examples of local resources include:
In the United States there are many organisations with SAR responsibilities at the national, state and local level. Most day-to-day SAR missions in the US are run by the County Sheriffs,[163] except in states likeAlaska, where the State Highway Patrol oversees SAR, or in other areas where SAR services are part offire/rescue,EMS, or a wholly separate,non-profit organisation. They in turn, can request help from other departments, as well as state and national resources if they think they need them. A typical Sheriff's Office has a volunteer SAR team that matches the terrain and population of that county. SAR members are typically trained in the Incident Command System (ICS),[164] first aid, and the outdoor skills needed in that terrain and climate. Most of this article is about the federal response to assist large complicated SAR missions.
In January 2008, theUnited States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released theNational Response Framework which serves as the guiding document for a federal response during a national emergency. Search and Rescue is divided into four primary elements, while assigning a federal agency with the lead role for each of the four elements.[165]
SAR standards adopted by agencies having jurisdiction are developed primarily by non-governmental organisations, includingASTM International andNational Fire Protection Association. These standards are adopted also by training and certification organisations such asMountain Rescue Association andNational Association for Search and Rescue to develop training that will meet or exceed those standards.[166] Within ASTM International, standards specific to SAR are developed by Technical Committee F32 on Search and Rescue. Formed in 1988, the committee had 85 current members and jurisdiction of 38 approved standards.[166]
Under command of the Central Government:
Under command of local People's Committee:
Under command of theMinistry of Defense:
Under command of theMinistry of Public Security:
Under command of theMinistry of Transport:
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Rotary and fixed wing aircraft are used for air and sea rescue. A list of common aircraft used:
