In case of an act of terrorism, a natural disaster or the collapse of
a stadium, it is government's responsibility to provide adequate urban
search and rescue capabilities during the 2010 World Cup. Despite this,
the current number of trained specialists able to deal with these types
of incidents falls far short of the amount needed, a search and rescue
expert has said.
'We need to get moving. We don't have enough staff for 2010,' explained
Ian Scher, founder of Rescue South Africa.
Following a training programme this year funded by the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID), 26 new local trainers and 60 technicians
were taught essential search and rescue skills. While an improvement,
Scher explained that even more personnel were needed.
'Between 400 and 500 people need training around the country,' he said.
Scher called for a 'buy in' from national government and an increase in
funding. 'We should have four teams in the country. Two in Gauteng, one
in the Cape and one in Natal,' he said. 'It all depends on the government
and if they fund us.'
According to Lance Williams, executive manager of the government's National
Disaster Management Centre, the issue of funding for search and rescue
operations is a 'grey area'.
'Typically it is financed through the relevant local municipalities, like
the fire brigade,' said Williams. 'We approached Treasury for R2 billion
funding for the provinces but we were turned down.' He said the National
Treasury was of the opinion that municipalities already received an equitable
share and that they needed to prioritise in their spending.
'We have to get the stakeholders together and prioritise. And it needs
to happen sooner than later,' said Williams. He added this was likely
to happen next year and said he hoped the National Treasury would be convinced
and make money available to search and rescue teams.
Nonetheless, Williams said the National Disaster Management Centre would
help Rescue SA in the procurement of 'big ticket' rescue equipment.
Rescue SA has been operational in South Africa since 1999. 'Since then
we've been to emergencies all over the world including Iran, Goma, Pakistan
and the floods in Mozambique,' said Scher.
Scher added that Rescue SA offered their skills free of charge. 'It's
a public service, we all work for free with staff seconded from fire departments
across SA.
Whenever there is a need for urban search and rescue they call us,' he
said.
Several months ago Rescue SA, through government's help, approached USAID
for funding. 'USAID undertook to arrange the training. They picked trainers
from Fairfax Country and Los Angeles County,' said Scher.
After funding had been arranged, six trainers and two team leaders came
to SA and provided a course for those interested in increasing their knowledge
about urban search and rescue. 'We identified suitable people in the emergency
services whose day to day job is firefighting,' said Scher.
Adele Swanepoel of the Potchefstroom fire department has been a fire fighter
for nine years and was the only woman participating in the training programme.
'I was one of the people trained to be a trainer,' she said. 'Searching
for patients and rescuing them is very complicated and if you don't do
it the right way people will die.'
The training carried out by the American team was then followed by courses
given by the newly trained SA search and rescue instructors. 'They (Americans)
brought good information to the table. When we finished we had learnt
a lot,' said Scher.
According to Scher, Rescue SA is the only fully capable urban search and
rescue team in sub-Saharan Africa. 'We would be the first team to respond
on the continent,' he said. 'It's extremely important that South Africa
is seen as assisting as good citizens in the world.'
