Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ISAR

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ISAR, part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team. @UK_ISAR_TEAM Providing an international USAR response to disasters.

[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ISAR @fire_scotISAR]

This account is for all things ISAR in SFRS. We’ll be keeping you up to date with our training and exercising, honing specialist skills which can be used around the globe. @fire_scot #WeAreSFRS

[National Fire Chiefs Council @NFCC_FireChiefs]

Welcome home, UK ISAR.

The 68-person team, supported by six specialist search dogs have safely returned to the UK following their deployment to Venezuela in response to the devastating earthquakes.

Thank you to every member of the team.

Read more: https://t.co/upTSdVAooJ

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

#UKISAR Coordinator and Venezuelan Team Leader, Russ Gauden, was presented with the "Hero of Venezuela" before departing Venezuela.

Presented by the Venezuelan Government, this prestigious honour recognises the bravery, dedication, and significant contributions of international rescue teams and their search dogs during major humanitarian crises.

The certificate reads:

"Highest recognition of the Nation for the dedication, nobility, and heroism of those who, overcoming all difficulties, dedicate their work to humanitarian assistance and aid within our territory."

This award is a tremendous honour for everyone involved in the deployment and reflects the commitment, professionalism, and compassion shown by the entire UK ISAR team throughout the mission.

We are deeply grateful for this recognition, and our thoughts will remain with the people of Venezuela as they continue their recovery.

#UKISAR #InternationalSearchAndRescue #USAR #HumanitarianResponse #DisasterResponse #Teamwork #Venezuela

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

Prior to #UKISAR departing Venezuela, members of the team attended a small ceremony and were presented with the “Hero of Venezuela” Award.

This honour is awarded by the Venezuelan government to recognise the bravery and significant contributions of international rescue teams and their search dogs during major humanitarian crises.

This is a great achievement for everyone involved, and a reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and compassion shown throughout the mission.

Our thoughts will always remain with the people of Venezuela during their continued recovery and rebuilding. 🧡

[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ISAR @fire_scotISAR]

Three of our personnel are continuing search and rescue operations in Venezuela as part of the UK ISAR response. Working alongside colleagues from across the UK and around the world, they're showing outstanding dedication, resilience and teamwork in the face of immense challenges

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

Our #UKISAR search and rescue dogs and their handlers who are currently deployed to Venezuela following the earthquake.

These dogs play a critical role in locating survivors through live scent detection, helping teams quickly identify and reach people trapped in collapsed structures.

From left to right: Bailey, Davey, Scout, Luna, Fozzie, Millie.

Supported and funded by @FCDOGovUK

#EarthquakeResponse #Venezuela #InternationalResponse #K9

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

Today #UKISAR teams have deployed to worksites across Venezuela.

Alongside our highly trained search and rescue specialists today, are three invaluable members of the team—our Search and Rescue Dogs, Scout, Bailey, and Millie.

Together, #UKISAR continues to work around the clock, bringing hope to the people of Venezuela and providing assistance to those who need it most.

UK ISAR is supported and funded by @FCDOGovUK

#UKISAR #SearchAndRescue #RescueDogs #VenezuelaEarthquake

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

#UKISAR is continuing to support the search and rescue effort alongside international Urban Search and Rescue teams, with Rapid Assessment Teams actively deployed across all worksites.

Teams are assessing conditions, identifying potential operational areas, and establishing priorities to support ongoing operations, ensuring help reaches those who need it most.

Working together, sharing expertise, and supporting one another remains at the heart of the response.

Teams on the ground are continually adapting to changing conditions, making informed decisions, and coordinating efforts to maximise the effectiveness of the ongoing humanitarian response.

Every assessment, every decision, and every coordinated action is contributing to the wider humanitarian response, bringing hope and vital assistance to communities during an incredibly challenging time.

Supported and funded by @FCDOGovUK

#SearchAndRescue #HumanitarianResponse #UKISAR #VenezuelaEarthquake

[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ISAR @fire_scotISAR]

Three of our personnel have been deployed with @UK_ISAR_TEAM providing specialist rescue support in Venezuela following the earthquakes. They will provide specialist technical expertise where it is needed most during search and rescue operations.

https://t.co/Vx1gcFDRAW

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

#UKISAR teams are deployed in Venezuela supporting international partners with urban search operations in collapsed structures, with a continued focus on locating survivors.

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

Search and rescue teams continue to work around the clock as efforts to locate survivors remain ongoing.

Supporting these operations are highly trained live scent detection dogs, whose exceptional ability to detect human scent helps rescuers search challenging and time-critical environments, including collapsed structures and disaster zones.

Support and funded by @FCDOGovUK

#SearchAndRescue #EmergencyResponse #WorkingDogs #DisasterResponse

[UK in Venezuela 🇬🇧🇻🇪 @UKinVenezuela]

El Reino Unido se solidariza con Venezuela.

Al recibir al Equipo Internacional de Búsqueda y Rescate del Reino Unido (@UK_ISAR_TEAM), que llegó hoy a Venezuela, el Jefe de Misión de la Embajada Británica expresó su solidaridad.

"Los terremotos del miércoles fueron una tragedia. Mis pensamientos y oraciones están con todos los venezolanos. Hoy estamos recibiendo a 68 especialistas británicos en búsqueda y rescate, junto con equipos especializados y perros de búsqueda", dijo.

Por su parte, el Primer Ministro del Reino Unido, Keir Starmer señaló: "mis pensamientos están con el pueblo de Venezuela tras los devastadores terremotos ocurridos esta semana.

El Reino Unido se solidariza con todas las personas afectadas, en particular con quienes han perdido a sus seres queridos, sus hogares y sus medios de vida.

Estamos destinando £2 millones en fondos de ayuda humanitaria de emergencia, y trabajamos estrechamente con nuestros socios internacionales para garantizar que la ayuda vital llegue lo antes posible a quienes más la necesitan".

El Reino Unido 🇬🇧 está con Venezuela 🇻🇪.

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.

Our #UKISAR team is now on the ground, working alongside the Venezuelan authorities and international partners to help search for and rescue those in need.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela and with all those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. Wishing our team a safe deployment as they carry out this vital humanitarian mission.

🇬🇧🤝🇻🇪 #UKISAR #USAR #EarthquakeResponse #SearchAndRescue

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

#UKISAR teams are now deployed across five operational work sites in Venezuela following the recent earthquakes.

Working in coordination with local authorities and international partners, our specialists are conducting structured search operations across affected areas.

Our highly trained search dogs are being used to detect signs of life within collapsed structures and unstable environments, supporting teams in locating potential survivors as quickly and safely as possible.

This is a complex, multi-site response, with every team fully focused on delivering specialist urban search and rescue capabilities where they are needed most.

Supported and funded by @FCDOGovUK

#UKISAR #SearchDogs #USAR #EarthquakeResponse #SearchAndRescue

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

Today we share the heartbreaking news that our #UKISAR search and rescue dog, Vesper, has passed away following a short period of illness.

Vesper was far more than a working dog. She was the trusted companion and search partner of @MerseyFire dog handler Niamh Darcy, and a beloved member of the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service family.

Originally bred as part of a police dog programme, Vesper's gentle nature meant she was destined for a different path. In 2020, Niamh recognised her potential and welcomed her into our search and rescue team. From that moment on, Vesper excelled in every challenge placed before her.

As part of #UKISAR, Vesper played a vital role in deployments across the world, including the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco. Her extraordinary ability to locate signs of life in the most challenging environments helped bring hope to countless people in their darkest moments.

In 2024, Vesper's courage, dedication and service were recognised nationally when she was crowned winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award at Crufts. It was a fitting tribute to a dog whose impact reached far beyond our Service.

We are immensely proud of everything Vesper achieved and grateful for the lives she helped save.

Her legacy will live on through the people she helped, the teams she worked alongside, and the memories she leaves with all who knew her.

Thank you Vesper 🐾❤

[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ISAR @fire_scotISAR]

5 members of our team have recently returned from @UK_ISAR_TEAM national exercise held @LincsFireRescue Waddington Training Centre. A fantastic challenge to assist with preparing for deployment abroad.

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

UK ISAR has delivered its International Operations Preparedness course.

A scenario-based programme preparing new members for overseas deployment under @Insarag standards, focused on safety, conduct, cultural awareness and operational readiness.

Read more: https://t.co/WNP1ZZoUex #INSARAG #USAR #EmergencyResponse

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

Three missions. One purpose.

#UKISAR has had teams operating across multiple environments, with a deployment supporting flood response in Mozambique, a team delivering capacity building in Nairobi, and personnel undertaking specialist Cold Weather training in Sweden. Together, this reflects the breadth of work taking place to protect lives and strengthen rescue capability wherever it’s needed most.

In Mozambique, responders have assisted flood-affected communities, helping reach people who were isolated and difficult to access using specialist equipment and boat-based operations.

In Nairobi, a specialist team has delivered a 10-day capacity-building programme focused on developing local trainers and strengthening national rescue capability that will last long after the deployment ends.

And in Sweden, personnel have undertaken Cold Weather training, building the skills and resilience required to operate safely and effectively in extreme winter conditions.

Supported and funded by the @FCDOGovUK, this combined approach shows #UKISAR’s commitment not only to respond, but to prepare, partner, and leave a lasting impact.

#UKISAR #SearchAndRescue #Mozambique #Kenya #Sweden #CapacityBuilding #ColdWeatherTraining #HumanitarianResponse #Preparedness #FCDO

@UKinMozambique
@UKinKenya

[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ISAR @fire_scotISAR]

UK ISAR are the official UK Government response to International disasters, funded and supported by FCDO (Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office).

[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ISAR @fire_scotISAR]

Our team recently took part in Exercise Tartan Serpent at our National Training Centre. This simulated a gas explosion in a small village where we completed worksite triage, technical search, breaking and breaching, shoring and casualty care. Excellent partnership work from all.

[UK ISAR @UK_ISAR_TEAM]

#UKISAR has been deployed to Mozambique to support flood rescue operations following devastating flooding caused by extreme rainfall.

Funded and supported by the @FCDOGovUK , UK fire & rescue specialists and a medical team are now operating in Maputo Province and Xai-Xai, working with local authorities to rescue people trapped by floodwaters.

More info @NFCC_FireChiefs :
https://t.co/cudFkTAZmF