UK INTERNATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE (UK ISAR)
WHO WE ARE
Over the past three decades, UK ISAR has established itself as the premier international search and rescue team, serving as the official UK Government response funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
UK ISAR is renowned for its expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment to saving lives in the most challenging situations, including onset disasters. The team can deploy within a 6-10 hour timeframe from a designated national point of departure, a capability honed over more than 31 years.
UK ISAR includes personnel from 14 of the UK’s Fire & Rescue Services, with support from volunteers in organisations outside of UK Fire & Rescue Services including USAR Medical Teams, Structural Engineers and Vets.
WHAT WE DO
UK ISAR is a team of highly trained personnel that come together for the purpose of International Search and Rescue.
The team responds rapidly to humanitarian emergencies including sudden onset disasters internationally on behalf of the UK Government through the FCDO Emergency Deployable Team 2 (EDT2) programme.
UK ISAR provides a specialised, technical search and rescue response to incidents in disaster affected nations. UK ISAR was one of the first to undertake the United Nations INSARAG classification in 2005 and then went on to be reclassified in 2009 and 2016, and most recent in November 2023.
UK ISAR is currently one of the leading United Nations INSARAG classified search and rescue teams.
News
Fire Aid Convoy 8 Delivers UK’s Largest Fire Equipment Donation to Ukraine
UK ISAR played a leading role in the successful transportation of Fire Aid Convoy 8, which has safely travelled from the south of England to the western border…
UK ISAR Flexible Response (Flood) Exercise: Strengthening Disaster Preparedness
The Flexible Response (Flood) Exercise concluded on March 28th after three days of intensive training at Woodhouse Park Activity Centre in Bristol. The exercise tested UK ISAR teams…
UK ISAR Team Honoured by Royalty at Humanitarian Reception
The image features Debra Hirons, UK ISAR Administration Manager, Daniel Franklin, UK ISAR Training Administrator, Bradley Rebbeck from Kent FRS and Mark Cameron from London Fire Brigade, both…
Building Resilience: UK ISAR’s Capacity Building Programme in Malawi – February 2025
Strengthening Flood Response in Malawi Following UK ISAR’s deployment in March 2023 in response to Cyclone Freddy, and the Flood Response Capacity Building Programme in February 2024, the…
