Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)

Buildings and facilities

With Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s developing capabilities, there has been a need for various new buildings and facilities. The Government has only partially funded building provision so Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) has had to contribute office space and buildings.

The USAR team is the largest of the new capabilities, needing additional space for 13 new full time staff members, a base for a further 23 retained staff, and storage space for six major appliances, two support vehicles and stocks of timber, concrete slabs, steel girders and various other items.

Accommodating staff

The full time staff are housed in the Wessex block at Service HQ which was opened in 2007. Here they have office space and share facilities with the Training Centre.

Accommodating vehicles

All USAR vehicles are housed within a vehicle compound, with the search and rescue vehicle and Modules 1, 2, and 3 all garaged in a purpose built, five-bay appliance room. Within this building is a locker room, storage and maintenance areas. Outside modules 4 and 5 are parked in charging bays as are two mass decontamination disrobe modules. All of the vehicles are on charge 24/7.

Training facilities

2008 saw the completion of Hampshire USAR’s local training facility, funded by the national project. It is situated next to the Wessex Block and consists of a double storey concrete training rig that can utilised for many different USAR scenarios. Next to this is a storage area as well as an under-cover briefing area. USAR also have plans for a dedicated trench rescue training rig with further training facilities at Fort Widley, near Portsmouth.