Completion of International Search And Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Training of Trainers (ToT) Course

The “International Search and Advisory Group’’ (INSARAG) Training of Trainers Course was conducted from 13th September 2021 to 17th September 2021 at Sri Lanka Army Centre for Disaster Response Training ( SLACDRT) – Gampola. The proceedings were began with the opening remarks by Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe (Rtd) RWP RSP MSc ndu psc – Director General, Disaster Management Centre through the zoom technology. The ToT course was organized with the prime aim of enhancing and sharing the knowledge of instructors/other officials who participated from different organizations and establishments and directly involve in disaster relief. The course was successfully organized with the directions of Disaster Management Centre and under the supervision of Colonel Anil Somaweera RWP RSP USP MSc the Commandant - Sri Lanka Army Centre for Disaster Response Training (SLACDRT). The number of trainers attended from various establishments are as fol:

Army - 20
Navy - 05
Air force - 05
Police/STF - 05
Fire Brigade - 05

The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) is a network of disaster-prone and disaster responding countries and organizations dedicated to urban search and rescue (USAR) and operational field coordination. It aim is to establish standards and classification for international USAR teams as well as methodology for international response coordination in the aftermath of earthquakes and collapsed structure disasters.

The consolidation exercise of INSARAG ToT course was conducted at the Sri Lanka Army Centre for Disaster Response Training (SLACDRT) on 17th September 2021 in the exercise area Kotmale reservoir.

The consolidation exercise consists with Landslide Rescue operation and Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) operation. Above mentioned scenarios were demonstrated by the students successfully, applying the theoretical and practical knowledge of the course.

On the same day the certificate awarding ceremony of International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Training of Trainers Course was held at Sri Lanka Army Centre for Disaster Response Training. Director General Disaster Management Centre graced the glamorous occasion as the chief guest. Further Dr. Sapumal Danapala - National Programme Officer – WHO in Sri Lanka and Ms. Haruka Esaki - INSARAG secretariat Asia and Pacific Region joined through the zoom technology and shared their expertise views on the subject at the ceremony. Major General Adeepa Thilakarathne (Rtd) – Director HR in DMC, Brigadier Priyantha Ubeysiriwardana RSP USP – Director Operation in DMC, Group Captain Firzan Hashim (Rtd) Country Director A- PAD, Colonel Anil Somaweera RWP RSP USP MSc Commandant - SLACDRT, Mr. Hiran Thilakarathne – Assistant Director Operation in DMC, Staff Officers and Instructors of SLACDRT attended for the certificate awarding ceremony.