The aid organisation ISAR Germany has once again been certified by the United Nations for international rescue missions. Following an operational test in the Swiss Army's training village in Epeisses near Geneva, I.S.A.R. President Dr Daniela Lesmeister accepted the certificate on Wednesday, which was presented by UN representative Winston Chang. After 2007 and 2012, this was the third mission test that I.S.A.R. has successfully completed.
For Daniela Lesmeister, passing the operational test is a "sign of the high quality of the work of the ISAR Germany rescue team". She also recognised the work of the I.S.A.R. members from all over Germany, almost all of whom work on a voluntary basis. "Every year, they spend countless hours preparing for the worldwide aid missions in joint exercises. This commitment is priceless and cannot be honoured enough. I am proud of the team," says Lesmeister.
Around 50 members of I.S.A.R. Germany had been taking part in the operational test in Epeisses since Monday. An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 was simulated. Numerous buildings were destroyed and, according to the script, many people were injured and trapped.
I.S.A.R. Germany had the task of searching for trapped people using rescue dogs and localisation equipment. The trapped people then had to be freed from the rubble. Around the clock, two teams took it in turns to work their way through the concrete ceilings and walls, provide medical care to the injured still under the rubble and then remove them from the collapsed buildings. The injured also had to be roped down for this.
The exercises took place under the supervision of inspectors appointed by the UN organisation INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group). They also scrutinised the interaction with other aid organisations and the UN as well as the operational management of ISAR Germany. The basis for this is INSARAG's set of rules for international missions to search for and rescue people after disasters.
INSARAG Secretary Winston Chang said he was proud that his organisation now had more members than ever before, with 49 teams from all over the world. "Sharing knowledge and learning from others is the spirit that has guided INSARAG from the beginning and will continue to guide us in the future," he explained. Chang commented with a smile on the huge cheers that erupted from the ISAR team following the announcement of the audit result: "It seems like Germany has just won the World Cup again."
Teams from Germany, Switzerland, France and the UK took part in the operational test in the training village of Epeisses near Geneva. The event was hosted by Swiss Humanitarian Aid and the Swiss Army. In Germany, apart from the I.S.A.R., only the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) is certified by INSARAG for international disaster operations; the THW was also successfully reclassified during this major exercise near Geneva.
Photos: Stefan Sobotta
Winston Chang, INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group of the United Nations) hands over the reclassification certificate to Dr Daniela Lesmeister (President ISAR Germany).
Group photo of the ISAR team after successful reclassification together with the classifiers.