UKISAR – UK International Search and Rescue

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Ready to Respond Globally, Any Time, Any Day

For over three decades, the UK’s official international search and rescue team—funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office—has deployed at a moment’s notice to save lives in disasters across the globe.

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.