End of November, the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG)*, organized an elaborate training exercise in Switzerland simulating an earthquake.
During this exercise, 3 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams gained, respectively renewed, their INSARAG classification.
Emphasis was put on creating a scenario as close to reality as possible. On site, collapsed buildings simulated a deployment location touched by an earthquake. Participants had to immigrate into a fake country, created especially for this training, and build a camp from scratch.
To make the scenario even more life-like, 8 members from the CGDIS Humanitarian Intervention Team (HIT) were present in order to reestablish internet connection, to build a radio network and to assist the other teams when needed.
As part of a VIP day organized during this exercise, the CGDIS directorate of the operational coordination (DCO) as well as executives of the HIT participated in a guided visit of the campsite and were able to establish and strengthen important connections with the participating international USAR teams.
*The INSARAG is an establishment within the humanitarian coordination of the United Nations (UN). Its mission is to coordinate between the various international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams during primarily earthquakes. Therefore, the INSARAG has established guidelines to facilitate collaboration between various USAR teams during such disasters. They also offers classifications and accreditations to verify the achievement of working standards for said USAR teams.
