Wednesday: 23 December 2009:
Success story of UAE Research and Rescue Team
The UAE Research and Rescue Team was founded by decision issued by Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Interior to participate in rescue efforts during the earthquake hit Indonesia in 2005.
HH has followed up the foundation plans and arrangements of the Team, where he encouraged participation in any humanitarian efforts to assist others in cases of disasters and crises, efficiently and professionally. The Team should work hard in order to get accreditation by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) of the United Nations.
The Team started its training plans and programmes and gaining experience and to equip itself with the latest apparatus, in preparation for international accreditation.
The team participated successfully in search and rescue works in a number of countries. They participated in earthquake disasters in Indonesia in 2006 and 2007, Afghanistan in 2008 and again in Indonesia in 2009.
During the period (2008 – 2009) the team gained wide field experience due to its intensive participations and several exercises in Australia, Germany, Singapore, Poland, Switzerland, China and Iceland. In some of these events the Team attended as International Observers.
During the period (January – mid 2009) the Team bought equipments and apparatus related to its field work. During the period the Team participated in intensive training with Singaporean Civil Defence. Then the continued its training preparations.
During the period (13 – 18 December 2009) the Team passed the final test stage in the presence of INSARAG Judges Committee and a Visiting International Observers from Japan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Sultanate of Oman, whose Teams are preparing to get international accreditation in the next years.
On 17 December 2009 the Team got the International Accreditation from Mr. Edward Burn, Chairman of Judges Committee, in a ceremony held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Abu Dhabi.