1 minute read
Real life disruptive events
Real life disruptive experiences
Marco Boulogne is a firefighter and part of an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team. He gave a guest lecture to the minor discriping what he and his
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team dows. The USAR team of Marco can be deployed within 4 hours in the Netherlands and 24 hours abroad. The USAR is being used after disasters were people need to be found under collapsed buildings, structures or any kind of obstacle. The USAR in the Netherlands consists of 62 people divided
in 4 groups of 10, the rest have a more administrative function. A ‘’SAR’’ group consist of 1 commander, 6 rescue workers, a medic and two dog handlers. The teams train every two months. Once a team is on a mission they are mostly under the jurisdiction of local authorities, the United Nation or any other organisation that might pull the strings during or after a disruptive event. Marco told us that the job is
indeed
extremely hard. One time the team is full of joy because they found a person alive, the other time people die in your arms. Searching people can be exceedingly difficult and it mostly takes a lot of time before finding someone. Every hour means less chance of survival. The job is physically and emotionally
very tough. Besides trying to rescue others from the rouble it is always important to watch the surroundings for anything that might fall or break and hurt someone from the team. Safety not guaranteed at all. is The most important thing to me was that you always have to analyse the environment before you go and when you arrive. Before they leave, they are being checked by a doctor mentally and physically. This always helps someone to
be only more
resilient. Not mental but also
physical important.
preparation is One mayor tip Marco gave was bringing a local with the team. The local is worth his weight in gold, he told us.
Marco also told us the maximum amount of time abroad is 14 days.
And after their mission there is time to reflect within the group and drink a beer. This is because they do not want anybody to go home stressed out.
