BASED on reviews and lessons learned from cooperation with international search and rescue teams during the Mandalay earthquake, and in accordance with the guidance of the Head of State, preparations are underway to upgrade the Search and Rescue Team formed under the Fire Services Department into a Medium Team internationally recognized by (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group), enabling it to operate on par with international counterparts. Therefore, the government has already procured and supplied the necessary search and rescue vehicles, machinery, and equipment.
Together with these vehicles and equipment, a demonstration ceremony of earthquake disaster response and search and rescue capabilities by the National Search and Rescue Medium Teams was held at the Central Fire Station of the Fire Services Department in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
It was attended by State Security and Peace Commission Member, National Natural Disaster Management Committee Chairman, and Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, Vice-Chairman and Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Soe Win, and Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman U Than Tun Oo.
The Union ministers and party observed the displayed modern international-standard search and rescue vehicles and equipment. Director-General U Myat Thu of the Fire Services Department briefed attendees on the status of preparation, organization, and training of two Medium Teams equipped with designated vehicles and equipment.
The National Search and Rescue Medium Teams conducted a scenario-based demonstration simulating international deployment for humanitarian assistance. The demonstration began with an earthquake-stricken country receiving reports of structural collapse, after which local USAR teams arrived on site, conducted initial rescue of visible casualties, assessed hazards and findings, and marked structures using the international INSARAG Marking System, including systematic worksite and victim marking.
The Myanmar Fire Services Department’s Myanmar Urban Search and Rescue Team (MUSAR) received the request for assistance and deployed to the affected country. The team passed through the Reception and Departure Centre (RDC), serving as the airport-based reception and information gateway for international responders, coordinated with the USAR Coordination Cell (UCC) for precise sectoring and tasking of operational areas, and carried out administrative arrangements for systematic operations of the MUSAR Team. These included site management, equipment, medical supplies, food management, Base of Operations (BoO), rescue of MUSAR Team for trapped victims that cannot be rescued with the Local USAR Team level, medical treatment, report to OSOCC and withdrawal procedures.
The Medium-level USAR Team is capable of conducting both Canine Search and Technical Search operations for trapped, buried, or missing persons in disaster-affected areas. Such teams can operate continuously for 24 hours per worksite over a period of up to seven days. The medical component of the Medium USAR Team is able to provide effective emergency medical care to rescued victims, and the team is capable of conducting search-and-rescue operations up to ASR Level 4 (Assessment of Search and Rescue).
In accordance with the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group’s (INSARAG) Guidelines, the establishment of Urban Search and Rescue Teams will not only enable more effective and successful domestic search and rescue operations but will also allow Myanmar to deploy humanitarian assistance teams to regional and international natural disaster incidents representing the country. — MNA/KTZH
