Search and Rescue (SAR)
Brief background
Bhutan is vulnerable to myriad natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), landslides, and forest fires. During disasters, often the first responders are constrained in conducting rescue operations due to lack of professional competencies and equipment. Therefore, the Department of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with Royal Bhutan Police and De-suung Head Office has conducted a month-long Search and Rescue (SAR) training for the first responders to enhance professional competencies while carrying out SAR operations. A total of five batches were trained with 221 De-suups (154 Male & 67 female). The first batch of SAR training was started on 12th November, 2020 in Lingmethang, Monggar.
WHAT IS SEARCH AND RESCUE?
SAR is the application of all available resources to locate and assist persons who are, or are feared to be, in actual or potential distress.
Objectives of the SAR Training
- To build a pool of professional SAR responders
- To enhance response preparedness for all types of natural disasters
- To position a minimum of one SAR team in every Dzongkhag, Dungkhag and Thromde with basic SAR equipment
The Training is designed to cover the following:
- Knots & Systems, Rappelling, Hauling
- Wide Angle Rescue
- Swift Water Rescue
- Firefighting/Fire Rescue
- Urban Search and Rescue
- Vehicle Extrication
- Principles and Applications of First Aid
- Psychological First
Expected Outcomes of the Training
After the training, the participants should be:
- Able to conduct SAR operations using various knots, rappelling and hauling techniques,
- Wide and acute angle rescue
- Swift water rescue, firefighting, urban search and rescue
- Vehicle extrication, applications of First Aid and psychological First Aid.
- Competent to conduct SAR operations and assist RB and other first responders during disasters
| Sl no. | Batch | Training Location | Start Date | End Date | No. of Days | Male | Female | Total | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
SAR 1 |
Lingmithnag, Mongar |
11-Nov-20 |
12-Dec-20 |
31 |
61 |
06 |
67 |
completed |
|
2 |
SAR 2 |
Lobesa Firing Range |
15-Mar-21 |
16-Apr-21 |
31 |
24 |
15 |
39 |
completed |
|
3 |
SAR 3 |
Lobesa Firing Range |
09-May-21 |
09-Jun-21 |
31 |
26 |
13 |
39 |
completed |
|
4 |
SAR 4 |
Lobesa Firing Range |
26-Jul-21 |
27-Aug-21 |
31 |
23 |
19 |
42 |
completed |
|
5 |
SAR 5 |
Lobesa Firing Range |
02-May-22 |
01-Jun-22 |
31 |
20 |
14 |
34 |
completed |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
154 |
67 |
221 |
|