UK ISAR (United Kingdom International Search and Rescue) is a team of highly trained personnel that come together for the purpose of International Search and Rescue.
The team responds rapidly to humanitarian emergencies including sudden onset disasters internationally on behalf of the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Emergency Deployable Team 2 (EDT2) programme.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is the lead authority, with logistics support provided by London Fire Brigade. UK ISAR base of operations and welfare support comes from Hampshire and Isle of Wight, with West Midlands Fire Service leading on command and support.
UK ISAR team members come from the following fire and rescue services: Cheshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Greater Manchester, Leicestershire, Kent, Scotland, Essex, Merseyside Fire & Rescue, Mid and West Wales and South Wales. In addition UK ISAR maintain and develop 9 specialist K9 search dogs for finding live persons trapped beneath rubble and debris. UK ISAR receives support from volunteers in organisations outside of UK Fire & Rescue Services including USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) Medical Teams, Structural Engineers and Vets.
The team responds rapidly to humanitarian emergencies including sudden onset disasters internationally on behalf of the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Emergency Deployable Team 2 (EDT2) programme.
UK ISAR provides a specialised, technical search and rescue response to incidents in disaster affected nations. UK ISAR was one of the first to undertake the United Nations INSARAG classification in 2005 and then went on to be reclassified in 2009 and 2016, and most recent in November 2023.
UK ISAR is currently one of the leading United Nations INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group) classified search and rescue teams.
Over the past three decades, UK ISAR has established itself as the premier international search and rescue team, serving as the official UK Government response funded by FCDO.
UK ISAR is renowned for its expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment to saving lives in the most challenging situations, including sudden onset disasters. The team can deploy within a 6-10 hour timeframe from a designated national point of departure, a capability honed over more than 31 years.
For more information about UK ISAR you can view the UKISAR website.