A-PAD SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING PROGRAMME NOVEMBER 2017 SRI LANKA AIR FORCE BASE, KOGGALA

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1 A-PAD SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING PROGRAMME NOVEMBER 2017 SRI LANKA AIR FORCE BASE, KOGGALA Many lives were saved through search and rescue operations carried out by the military, police and volunteers. Those marooned and trapped with no access to medical care, food and water were rescued by these teams and individuals. However, the May 2017 aftermath of the disaster rescue missions also accounted for the lives of eight volunteer S&R personnel. The need for a formalized approach in search and rescue for the volunteers was deemed necessary under the circumstances. The urban flooding too posed a severe threat which requires better professionalism and the identification of appropriate search and rescue equipment for live saving operations. Whilst the military has its search and rescue capacity; enhancing their knowledge via training to achieve international standards in S&R will provide an opportunity to save more lives by promoting efficiency, enhance quality and coordination. This will also enable these teams to be deployed in the region to support other countries. Due to these reasons, the need to train volunteers and the SL Forces to further enhance capacity in Search and Rescue operations is vital. A-PAD Sri Lanka forged partnership with Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) in conducting a professional training with international experts. Disaster Management Centre provided assistance and coordination related to the training. SLAF disposed of its ground and air assets to train the first ever civil-military coordinated exercise under the leadership of the Commander of the Air Force. A-PAD SL with other volunteer groups coordinated the training programme at SLAF Station Koggala. Through the expertise of four A-PAD International trainers from Japan, a training programme was conducted for the Sri Lankan Forces and Volunteers from the 19 to 21 November The objective of the training was to introduce and practice disaster response methodologies for suddenonset disaster aligned with internationally accepted International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) guidelines in the process of preparedness, cooperation and coordination. The training programme consisted of a Preparation Phase to familiarize participants with internationally agreed upon deployment and coordination procedures, based on INSARAG Guidelines. This phase provided a basis on how S&R teams are constituted and the basis for teams to be guided and trained to achieve standards for deployment. The Operational Phase incorporated a two-and-a-half-day training and simulation exercise where the participant groups were confronted with an initial situation where only limited information is provided and tasks which the role players should complete are injected by exercise controllers through various channels such as field assessment, technology, media reports etc. A de-briefing was conducted to review the training and current state of operations to confirm that the deliverables are progressing and provide direction to improve. Civil-military coordinated flood rescue simulation exercise was carried out following competency of individual and collective skills. Ground and air rescue simulation exercises provided live experience for participants and also identified limitations. The combined resource strength between civil and military in saving lives was evident following the training. A-PAD SL Search & Rescue Training Programme 1

2 Multi-stakeholders participated in the training programme. Participants are as follows: 20 Members Sri Lanka Air Force (Regiment Special Forces) 20 Private sector volunteers Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka, Seals Volunteer Emergency Response Team (SVERT), I-CERT (Iron Man 4X4 Community Emergency Response Team), Lion Brewery PLC (Biyagama Export Processing Zone) and A-PAD SL. 04 Members Sri Lanka Navy 02 Members Sri Lanka Army 01 Member Special Task Force Way Forward A-PAD SL in partnership will continue to conduct training programmes to enhance the capacity of Sri Lankan Forces and A-PAD First Response Team. Whilst the current training was limited to flood rescue, training in all disciplines will be conducted systematically. Civil Military cooperation will be further strengthened to create better humanitarian responses with professional training and appropriate equipment. Media and Links 1. A-PAD SL Search and Rescue - (03 Mins) 2. A-PAD SL Search and Rescue - (08 Mins) A-PAD SL Search & Rescue Training Programme 2

3 A-PAD SL Launch of Search & Rescue First Response Team Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Disaster Management handing over certificates to the Team H.E. Kenichi Suganuma, Ambassador of Japan for Sri Lanka, handing over certificates to the Team Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy, Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, handing over certificates to the Team Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy, Commander of Sri Lanka Ai Force, handing over certificates to the Team A-PAD SL Search & Rescue Training Programme 3

4 Mr. Kensuke Onishi, CEO, A-PAD, handing over certificates to the Team H.E. Kenichi Suganuma, Ambassador of Japan for Sri Lanka, handing over certificates to the Team Knowledge development Knowledge development Rope training exercise Rope training exercise A-PAD SL Search & Rescue Training Programme 4

5 Ms. Neki, COO, A-PAD Mr. Chathura Liyanarachchi, Asst. Director, DMC Rope rescue training Rope rescue training Boat rescue training Boat rescue training A-PAD SL Search & Rescue Training Programme 5

6 Group Training Group Training Air Rescue simulation exercise Air Rescue simulation exercise Air Rescue simulation exercise Air Rescue simulation exercise A-PAD SL Search & Rescue Training Programme 6

7 Air Rescue simulation exercise Air Rescue simulation exercise A-PAD SL Search & Rescue Training Programme 7

8 A-PAD SL Search & Rescue Training Programme 8

9 Boat rescue simulation exercise Boat rescue simulation exercise Boat rescue simulation exercise Boat rescue simulation exercise Debrief Debrief A-PAD SL Search & Rescue Training Programme 9

10 A-PAD International Search and Rescue Trainers Equipment been handed over to A-PAD SL A-PAD Sri Lanka launched a Volunteer First Response Team Training Programme conducted at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Koggala, from November 2017 A-PAD SL Search & Rescue Training Programme 1 0