King Of Morocco Thanks British Firefighters For Their Exemplary Rescue Work, Following The Devastating Earthquake That Hit Morocco

The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, has written to the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UK ISAR) to thank them for the assistance they provided in the country, following the devastating earthquake that took place earlier this month.

The message was shared with Russell Gauden, National Coordinator of UK ISAR, who was asked to convey his gratitude and thanks to the team, as their deployment drew to a close last week.

UK ISAR team of 62 firefighters mobilized

UK ISAR worked relentlessly to access remote areas cut off by road in difficult circumstances

A UK ISAR team of 62 firefighters were mobilized on Sunday, 10 September, after an offer of assistance from the British Government was accepted by the Moroccan Government.

They were deployed to Amizmiz at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, in order to provide search and rescue for many mountain villages and small towns.

UK ISAR worked relentlessly to access remote areas cut off by road in difficult circumstances, working closely with colleagues from Spain and Qatar, as well as Moroccan Civil Protection and Military.

King of Morocco thanks UK ISAR team

The letter said, “The affected families and, in fact, the entire Moroccan people are deeply grateful for your teams’ dedicated work and for giving concrete substance to the lofty values underpinning humanitarian action. The Moroccan people will always remember the dedication, keen sense of duty and mobilization of your search and rescue team in these difficult circumstances.”

The Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Mark Hardingham, said “It’s a real honor for the UK ISAR team to be recognized for their efforts by the King of Morocco. It’s testament to the fantastic work they do in the hardest of times and conditions. We are proud of each member of the team for their commitment to helping communities in the UK and overseas at times of crisis.”

Delivered essential lifesaving interventions

Russell Gauden commented, “Each individual shows their dedication and humanity as volunteers putting themselves in harm’s way to deliver essential lifesaving interventions when called upon.”

He adds, “My personal thanks go out to each deployed team member and support team and strategic support here in the UK, as well as the families of the team. The resilience and the gratitude of the Moroccan people and authorities is something that will stay with me and colleagues for a lifetime.”

UK ISAR is part of NFCC’s National Resilience Work

UK ISAR is part of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) National Resilience Work

UK ISAR is part of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) National Resilience Work and is on permanent standby to mobilize and assist when requested by disaster-affected countries. The UK ISAR team responds primarily to overseas urban search and rescue emergencies on behalf of the UK.

Any UK ISAR team deployed is self-sufficient upon arrival and provides its own food, water, shelter, sanitation, communications and all necessary equipment to undertake search and rescue operations for up to 14 days. This is to ensure no additional burden is placed upon a country already suffering demands on its resources following a sudden onset disaster.

All UK ISAR staff trained to use specialist kit

All UK ISAR staff is trained to use specialist kit and the equipment being taken will ensure the team has the ability and capacity to lift, cut and remove concrete and rubble from collapsed structures.

Previous deployments include in the countries of Iraq, Turkey, Algeria, Pakistan, India, Iran, Mozambique, Indonesia, Haiti, New Zealand, Japan, Bosnia, Nepal - and most recently, the earthquake in Turkey and Syria in February.