Muscat: Oman’s National Search and Rescue Team, affiliated with the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA), has successfully completed all response procedures for a simulated international deployment in less than five hours, surpassing the internationally recognized benchmark of 12 hours. The achievement reflects the team’s high level of operational readiness and efficiency.
The accomplishment came during a practical exercise conducted by the Authority to assess the team’s response speed as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen preparedness, enhance operational capabilities, and ensure readiness to respond to emergencies at both the national and international levels.
The National Search and Rescue Team is among the world’s elite rescue units holding the INSARAG Heavy Classification, the highest classification awarded by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG). The certification underscores the Authority’s commitment to implementing international best practices and standards in urban search and rescue operations.
The exercise began with the activation of the team’s emergency call-out system, followed by a series of field and administrative procedures.
These included preparing equipment and vehicles, conducting medical examinations, completing operational documentation and deployment requirements, and registering the mission through the INSARAG online coordination system.
The exercise concluded with the team’s deployment to the Royal Air Force of Oman air base in preparation for departure to the simulated disaster location.
The successful exercise demonstrates the National Search and Rescue Team’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively to international requests for assistance, highlighting the professionalism of its personnel and reflecting the advanced capabilities of Oman’s search and rescue system in accordance with the highest international standards.
