‘UAE USAR Team’ Prepares For Reclassification

The reclassification of the UAE Urban Search and Rescue, USAR, Team as part of "Heavy Category" of the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, INSARAG, began today

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 19th Mar, 2019) The reclassification of the UAE Urban Search and Rescue, USAR, Team as part of "Heavy Category" of the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, INSARAG, began today.

The reclassification event began today in the Al Raha Beach Hotel, with the attendance of Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of the Abu Dhabi Police, ADP, and included a movie about the team’s international rapid response operations during crises and disasters.

Major General Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Director of the Central Operations Sector, highlighted the sector’s efforts to reclassify the team, in cooperation with relevant local institutions and international organisations.

He also noted the UAE’s regional and international participation in helping countries face disasters, as well as the leadership’s efforts, in 2005, to establish the team, which received the average classification in 2009 and the heavy classification in 2013.

He then expressed his appreciation for the team, which offers search and rescue support in urban areas.

The event was attended by Major General Salem Shaheen Al Nuaimi, Director of the Command Affairs Sector, Brigadier Mohammed Suhail Al Rashidi, Acting Director of the Criminal Security Sector, and several officers and members.

Mohammed Kadir Maidin, Commander of the International Residents Group, explained that the evaluation process to reclassify the team will involve assessing its adopted procedures and requirements.

Tirea Scavidal, INSARAG Representative, said that the INSARAG’s classification system involves assessing urban search and rescue practitioners, to exchange expertise and ascertain their ability to meet the required standards.

"We, over the next few days, will see clear proof of your hard work, to be successfully reclassified by the INSARAG," he said to the team.

The team conducted several exercises as part of the requirements of the INSARAG, including various search and rescue simulation scenarios that highlighted their medical and logistical expertise, as well as their capacity to organise search and rescue works and the speed of their response.