History of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
In 1995 the National Emergency Management Committee (which is the precursor to the current Australian Emergency Management Committee) considered and endorsed a proposal that Australia should develop a multi-agency USAR capability such as that which exists in the United States and United Kingdom. Following this, a workshop was held at Emergency Management Australia (EMA) where ten recommendations were endorsed. To implement the recommendations, a steering committee (the National USAR Steering Committee) was formed.
In 1996 USAR was defined as:
An integrated multi-agency response, which is beyond the capability of normal rescue arrangements, to locate, provide initial medical care and remove entrapped persons from damages structures and other environments in a safe and expeditious manner.
This was later (2002) redefined:
USAR is a specialist technical rescue capability for the location and rescue of entrapped people following a structural collapse.
The Thredbo landslide (1997) and the Newcastle Earthquake (1989) highlighted the need for a national coordinated approach to train personnel to perform specialist rescue tasks beyond the capabilities of local resources.
In 2002 the National USAR Steering Committee was renamed the National Urban Search and Rescue Working Group (NUSARWG) which focused on a strategic approach to the implementation of national USAR priorities.
In 2003 the National Counter Terrorism Committee (NCTC), tasked USAR continues to be an area in which there are opportunities for national capabilities development; and
In 2004 the USAR Capability Guidelines for Structural Collapse Response was released as a part of the Australian Emergency Manual Series. This manual provides guidelines necessary for developing a complete and effective capability for response to major structural collapse incidents requiring USAR operations.
In 2005 the USAR Capability Development Project (USARCDP) was endorsed and Australian Quarantine and Inspection service developed guidelines for USAR taskforces.
In 2006 USAR equipment was purchased by EMA and delivered to the States and Territories as the first stage of the USARCDP.
In 2008
- Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offers Australian USAR aid to China after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake rocked Sichuan province;
- USAR national policy arrangements were endorsed by the Australian Emergency Management Committee; and
- Australia gains international accreditation as a USAR Heavy Taskforce. This allows for the international deployment of Australian USAR Taskforces if requested by another country.
Past USAR operations
The following emergencies/disasters have been instrumental in providing the foundation and direction of today’s USAR developments and capabilities:
Australian events
Hangar collapse Canberra Airport 2003
Lake Cargelligo Water Tank collapse 2002
West lakes Golf Club roof collapse 2002
Newcastle Earthquake 1989
Thredbo Landslide 1997
Granville Rail incident 1977
Darwin - Cyclone Tracy 1974
Information on the above disasters can be sourced from www.ema.gov.au/disasters
Overseas events
Sichuan Province Earthquake 2007
Kashmir Earthquake 2005
Bali Bombing 2002
World Trade Centre collapse 2001
Indian earthquakes 2001
Turkey and Taiwan earthquakes 1999
San Francisco earthquake 1995
Kobe earthquake 1995
Oklahoma City bombing 1995
Seoul Shopping centre collapse 1995
Amsterdam plane crash 1992
Information on the above International disasters can be sourced from www.emdat.be