Four of our Urban Search and Rescue members recently attended an Asia-Pacific Regional Earthquake international earthquake response exercise in Bali, Indonesia.

District Manager, Jeff Maunder; National and International Response Manager, Ian Duncan; USAR Operations Manager, Craig Monrad; and Specialist Response Manager, Aaron Waterreus represented New Zealand at this year’s event, the first face to face exercise for three years due to COVID.

Ian said the annual tabletop exercise is run by INSARAG (the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group) and is a way to not only keep search and rescue coordination practices current, but also to re-engage with international networks.

‘There was a large contingent of national responders from BASARNAS (Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency) and other agencies, as well as international USAR emergency management teams and humanitarian partners participating. The aim of the exercise was to look at how international USAR teams and other aid providers can operate within a nationally led response.

‘BASARNAS set the initial coordination for the earthquake exercise using all of their domestic agencies and the incoming international teams had to integrate into a system that was already set up. The main outcomes for all taking part were a better appreciation of the national and international systems and how each works and how things could be improved for the future.

‘These exercises are imperative to help us practise and strengthen our emergency preparedness and response coordination for when we need to support a disaster-affected country.’

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