From Australia to the World: USAR’s Overseas Response

Curator
5 days ago
6 min read

What is Urban Search and Rescue?

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) is a multi-agency task force comprised of a variety of specialists from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW; previously NSW Fire Brigades, NSWFB), NSW Police Force, NSW State Emergency Service (SES), NSW Ambulance, engineers from NSW Public Works, and several federal government departments. Usually consisting of 72 individuals, predominantly made up of FRNSW members, the task force is led by a senior FRNSW officer responsible for all facets of operations. The task force is divided into four operational teams, so 24-hour operations can be sustained at two independent worksites over the course of deployment.

USAR has attended many major incidents both within Australia and internationally since their formation. Below are some of the international incidents they have attended.

Boxing Day Tsunami, Indian Ocean, 2004.

On 26 December 2004 a 9.1-magnitude earthquake occurred on the ocean floor 60km off the west coast of northern Sumatra in Indonesia. The tsunami, which reached heights of 30 metres, tragically claimed the lives of 230,000 people in a matter of hours, destroyed 141,000 homes and devastated the local fishing and agriculture industries. The earthquake’s affects were so substantial that they could be felt in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and as far away as the Seychelles, and Somalia.

In response, the NSW Fire Brigade (NSWFB, now Fire and Rescue NSW) sent a combined Australian Medical Teams to Indonesia, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Four NSWFB Officers deployed to provide the logistical support required to maintain the teams during the deployments.

Destruction in Kalmunai, Sri Lanka, December 2004 [Courtesy Fire and Rescue NSW]

Yogyakarta Earthquake, 2006.

On 27 May 2006, a devastating earthquake struck the island of Java, Indonesia, causing widespread destruction in and around Yogyakarta. The magnitude-6.4 earthquake resulted in significant loss of life, extensive injuries, and severe damage to homes, hospitals and essential infrastructure. Tens of thousands of people were displaced, and the rapid establishment of emergency medical services became critical to supporting the affected communities.

As part of Australia’s humanitarian support, the NSWFB provided specialised logistical capability to assist the Australian Medical Assistance Team deployed to the region. Two NSWFB fire officers were sent to help establish and maintain self-sufficient emergency health services, ensuring the medical team had reliable access to water, shelter, food, hygiene facilities and essential rescue equipment. They deployed a substantial 12-tonne cache of NSWFB equipment, airlifted into Indonesia, which included generators, lighting, ready-to-eat meals, portable toilets and showers, water purifiers, mosquito nets, decontamination gear and satellite communications equipment. The officers also coordinated local transport teams, overseeing the movement of equipment and the transfer of casualties between hospitals to keep the medical and triage centre fully operational during the relief effort.

Samoa Islands Tsunami, 2009.

On 29 September 2009 two large earthquakes of magnitude 8.1 and 8 respectively, hit between Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga generating tsunamis up to 22 metres in height. The earthquake lasted for over three minutes which emergency responders and the public at large knew meant that a tsunami was not far behind. With their preparedness training estimating they would only have 15 minutes until the tsunami would hit. This training saved many lives, however tragically, the tsunami would still claim at least 192 victims in total, with 129 from Samoa, 34 from American Samoa, and 9 from Niuatoputapu, Tonga.

In an effort of aid, a USAR logistics team from the NSWFB, along with an Australian Medical Team was deployed to Samoa. Together, the two teams worked collaboratively to provide medical assistance to the communities who had dwindling medical supplies. Once the team had concluded their deployment, they donated equipment and supplies to the local fire service to assist in the local recovery process.

NSWFB officers assist with recovery work in Samoa, 2009 [Courtesy Fire and Rescue NSW]

Christchurch Earthquake, New Zealand, 2011.

On 22 February 2011 a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit the town of Lyttleton, 20 kilometers south of Christchurch CBD, causing widespread damage across the greater Christchurch area. This was the second earthquake to hit Christchurch within six months, with the first occurring on 4 September 2010 at a magnitude of 7.1. Luckily this first earthquake resulted in no lives being directly lost, however, the earthquake in September became the second worst natural disaster in New Zealand’s history. As a result of the second earthquake, 185 people lost their lives, 6,659 people sustained major injuries, and over 10,000 homes needed to be rebuilt.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) deployed a Heavy USAR Task Force, arriving shortly after the earthquake. Led by Chief Superintendent Gary Picken, this was the first time a Heavy USAR Task Force had been deployed internationally, where they conducted 24-hour search and rescue operations. Led by Chief Superintendent John Denny, a national team arrived to relieve the first rotation eleven days later, made of USAR technicians from FRNSW and other Australian fire services. This team continued the USAR work and performed ‘beyond the rubble’ recovery operations beyond the city outskirts.

Fire and Rescue NSW USAR task force in Christchurch, 2011 [Courtesy Fire and Rescue NSW]

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, 2011.

On 11 March 2011 an earthquake occurred approximately 72km east of the Oshika Peninsula, Japan in the Pacific Ocean. The earthquake lasted approximately six minutes and resulted in a tsunami which devastated Japan’s main island of Honshu. The tsunami ultimately affected a 2000km stretch of Japan’s Pacific coastline, where over 18,000 people lost their lives, over a million homes were damaged and approximately 123,000 homes were destroyed.

The tsunami not only impacted the homes of the people of Honshu, but it also damaged the local nuclear power plant. The power supply and cooling of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant became compromised and were disabled, which led to a massive radiation leak. The accident was rated level 7 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, the highest possible nuclear disaster level.

A Heavy USAR Task Force arrived in Japan on 14 March to focus on search and rescue operations in the north-east in the towns of Shizugawa and Rikuzentogure. Major challenges were faced while conducting their operations from the continuation of major earthquakes and tremors, freezing temperatures and snow, and the nuclear disaster.

USAR crew continuing rescue efforts in snowy conditions, 2011 [Courtesy Fire and Rescue NSW]

Cyclone Pam, Vanuatu, 2015.

On 13 March 2015 Vanuatu prepared for the arrival of Cyclone Pam. Upgraded to the maximum rating for a cyclone, a category 5, it destroyed entire villages and left thousands of people homeless. Around 188,000 people were affected by Cyclone Pam, which is more than half of Vanuatu’s population. The island nation was devastated with 95% of crops lost, 70% of health facilities destroyed and more than 50% school facilities decimated.

On 17 March FRNSW deployed a 54-person DART Task Force to Vanuatu’s capital, Port Villa, to assist with recovery and rebuilding operations, focusing on a number of hospitals and schools. Once their work was completed in Port Villa, small teams were sent to neighbouring islands to inspect the damage to infrastructure to provide further support.

USAR task force carrying out roof repairs to Port Villa East Public School, March 2015 [Courtesy Fire and Rescue NSW]

Tonga Volcano Eruption and Tsunami, 2022.

On 15 January 2022, the submarine volcano Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai erupted in the South Pacific, unleashing what is considered one of the most powerful volcanic explosions in modern times. The event triggered a tsunami that struck the Kingdom of Tonga, where about 105,000 people live, and deposited thick ash layers on communities and infrastructure. The economic and social impacts were dramatic. Damage and losses were estimated at roughly $278.5 million, equivalent to around 36% of Tonga’s GDP. This caused food insecurity, lost livelihoods, and infrastructure disruption, affecting many households.

In response, the FRNSW was tasked with delivering specialist support. A DART team of five experts in hazmat, aviation and GIS-based disaster response was deployed aboard the Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra, with day-to-day logistics assisted by the Australian Defence Force. The team’s work included mapping tsunami-waste volumes on four islands using LiDAR-equipped remotely piloted aircraft, sampling materials for laboratory analysis, forging relationships with local Tongan emergency services, and providing guidance, personal protective equipment and containment materials to help local agencies and communities identify, package and safely dispose of asbestos-containing materials.

Fire and Rescue NSW Aviation operations collecting data after the tsunami in Tonga, 2022 [Courtesy Fire and Rescue NSW]

Türkiye-Syria Earthquake, 2023.

On 6 February 2023 Western Asia was struck by two close and successive earthquakes, firstly by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake near the Türkiye-Syria border followed by the second occurring less than 24 hours later in Elbistan, Türkiye. The earthquake caused heavy losses including the death of over 55,000 people, and the destruction of buildings and infrastructure which left hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

The AUS02 Heavy USAR team capability was deployed to Antakya in Türkiye for two weeks where they provided search and rescue capabilities, prevented further damage or harm to the community, and provided technological assistance to assess the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure.