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55-strong UK Search and Rescue Team on its way to Chch
February 24 2011
55-strong UK Search and
Rescue Team on its way to
Christchurch
The advance team of an eventual 55-strong search and rescue team with 11 tonnes of equipment is scheduled to arrive in Christchurch at 4pm on Thursday 24 February. All other members of the team arrive on Friday 25 February.
This team, drawn from the British emergency fire and rescue services, has been deployed to major disasters and earthquakes in particular, for the last 20 years. Deployments include Sumatra, Haiti, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey.
All the personnel are trained in urban search and rescue, and the rescue of people from collapsed structures in particular. They are drawn from across the UK including the West Midlands, Grampian, Hampshire, Leicestershire, West Sussex, Cheshire, Essex and South Wales.
They will be self-sufficient, with their own tents, food supplies and equipment.
The advance team
includes experts in coordinating search and rescue
operations, logistics and disaster management. They will
work with the New Zealand authorities in preparing the
deployment of the second, larger team which will bring heavy
lifting, cutting and search equipment.
The British High
Commissioner, Mrs Vicki Treadell, said “with New Zealand
and Britain being such close friends this is an opportunity
to support and assist each other at this time of
crisis”.
ENDS
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