Preparedness required for ensuring best coordinated use of international urban search and rescue assistance by earthquake affected countries

Abstract

Strong earthquakes are frequent catastrophic disasters occurring worldwide and often lead to structural collapse of buildings. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) is the specialised process of locating, extricating and providing immediate medical treatment to victims trapped in collapsed structures. This research project aimed to identify the key preparedness efforts necessary by an earthquake affected country to ensure best coordinated use of international USAR assistance.

Firefighters and police search dog handlers’ experiences working closely with paramedics in urban search and rescue incidents – a qualitative focus group study from Oslo

“…Furthermore, themes have been identi ed and highlighted based on the number of times statements have been coded and the sincerity with which they have been voiced. Finally, EWs preconceptions about the need for USAR preparedness in Norway and the model for building a capacity similar to USAR Oslo is supported by United Nations (2), the evaluation report after the quick clay landslide at Gjerdrum (11), and two extensive master thesis (4,5). These preconceptions are not controversial; indeed they are aligned with the demand that emergency services collaborate in complex rescue missions, something Norwegian authorities have regarded as a prerequisite (1,24).…”

“…While the ndings are interesting, they are not directly relevant as they were based on questioning health professionals only about their perception of received education on USAR. Other publications address international humanitarian efforts on organizational and nancial topics (3,5), again, not directly relevant to the topic of this study.…”