Hong Kong’s urban search and rescue team sets sights on international accreditation after successful Turkey mission
- Team will have to pass evaluations on structure, training programme and performance during simulation exercise to be accredited
- Turkey mission was first overseas operation for team since it was established in 2009
The Hong Kong fire services’ team sent to Turkey on an earthquake relief mission in February will ramp up its training standards to obtain international accreditation for their rescue capability in three years, authorities have said.
“Our urban search and rescue team was founded with the goal of becoming an internationally recognised ‘medium’ rescue team,” Yiu said. “This mission in Turkey proved to be a good start and contributed to our experience.”
Yiu was speaking as the 49 team members who travelled to Turkey, as well as 10 other staff from the Immigration Department and the health and security bureaus, were awarded the inaugural Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance for their rescue of four people and recovery of bodies in the southeastern Hatay province in the country during their nine-day mission.
The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group is a UN-endorsed body that coordinates global rescue missions and develops search and rescue standards for national rescue teams.
