Plenary 3: Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) - improved preparedness through capacity development of national emergency services

Chaired and supported by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC 

Urban search-and-rescue is needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, storms, tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist activities and hazardous materials releases. The events may be slow in developing, as in the case of hurricanes and droughts, or sudden, as in the case of earthquakes and tornadoes. Rescue after structural collapse is one of the most challenging and dangerous disaster response activities. Sophisticated and multidisciplinary search-and-rescue capabilities have been created to address the difficulties of finding, reaching and extricating trapped survivors. The session will include a discussion on how to build and sustain urban search-and-rescue capacities within a national crises management structure. This includes the assessment of the needs associated with USAR capacity development. It further involves showcasing best practices in knowledge transfer and partnership building, and promoting agreed global standards.

SESSION CHAIR:
René HOLENSTEIN, Ambassador, Deputy Head of the Humanitarian Aid Department, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, Berne, Switzerland

MODERATOR:
Simon TSCHURR, Rapid Response, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, Berne, Switzerland

PANELLISTS:
Marwan Bader Ahmad ALSMEIAT, Colonel, Initial Project Manager, JOR IEC-Team, Jordanian Civil Defense, Amman, Jordan
Urs AMIET, Senior USAR Advisor, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, Berne, Switzerland
René HOLENSTEIN, Deputy Head of the Humanitarian Aid Department, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, Berne, Switzerland
Linda HORNISBERGER, MD Vet., Senior Search Expert, Swiss Disaster Dog Association REDOG, Switzerland