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UKFSSART

Hampshire has been sending volunteers to overseas disasters since 1988 and we continue this as part of the United Kingdom Fire Service Search and Rescue Team (UKFSSART).

Crews

Experienced members of our USAR team are specifically trained and equipped for overseas operations. When on international call Hampshire is configured to send one commander and at least one crew of six and probably two.

Equipment

We would also take a large quantity of equipment that is specially packaged for air transport. The equipment includes the full range of rescue equipment used for all types of USAR operations with additional items that allow us to operate in extreme conditions. This includes various specialist tools but also camping equipment, food/water and survival items to ensure the team is completely self sufficient for at least a week.

Arrangements are also in place to ensure that when deployed overseas Hampshire can still provide a USAR response team for UK incidents.

Overseas events

Hampshire has mobilised personnel to the following overseas events:

1988 Armenian Earthquake
1991 Northern Iraq Humanitarian Assistance
1996 Montserrat Volcano (training)
1997 Montserrat Volcano (training)
1998 Kosovo Humanitarian Assistance
1999 Turkish Earthquake
1999 continuing Gambian Fire Service (training)
2003 Bam, Iran Earthquake
2004 Montserrat Volcano (training)
2006 continuing Thika, Kenya (training)