Meeting of the INSARAG Regional Group Asia/Pacific
Brisbane, Australia
28/29 November 2006
Chairman’s Summary and Work-plan
The meeting was opened by Mr. Robert Cornall, Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department and Chair of the Australian Emergency Management Committee (AEMC) after introductory remarks by the Chairman Mr. Tony Pearce, Director General, Emergency Management Australia. On behalf of the United Nations, opening remarks were made by Mr. Arjun Katoch, Chief, Field Coordination Support Section, OCHA-Geneva and Secretary INSARAG. The meeting was attended by 49 participants from 23 countries and organisations. A list of participants is attached.
The meeting included the following presentations:
- Review of progress on decisions of the last Asia/Pacific, which was held in New Delhi, India, in November 2005 (Mr. Arjun Katoch, INSARAG Secretariat).
- Reports on worldwide INSARAG activities carried out since the last regional meeting (Mr. Thomas Peter, INSARAG Secretariat)
- Introduction and update of purpose and activities of the INSARAG Regional Antenna in Tunisia (Mr. Moncef Belkhir, Director General Tunisian Civil Protection and Chairman of the INSARAG Regional Group Africa/Europe)
- Report and lessons learned of the Asia Pacific Regional USAR exercise, held in Shijiazhunag, China in August 2006 (Mr. Huang Jianfa, Director, Department of Earthquake and Disaster Management, China Earthquake Administration)
- Report of the INSARAG inter-regional working group on training (Mr. Dewey Perks, USA, Chairman of the INSARAG Training Advisory Group)
- Presentation about rescue dog standards and evaluation criteria and search dog training opportunities (Mr. Wolfgang Hitsch, International Rescue dog Organisation, IRO)
- Introduction of the revised INSARAG Guidelines (Mr. John Lovell, New Zealand, Chairman of the INSARAG Guidelines revision working group)
- Introduction of the concept of GDACS on-line simulation exercises as part of the overall INSARAAG training concept (Mr. Thomas Peter, INSARAG Secretariat)
- Presentation on the INSARAG USAR classification and evaluation concept and lessons learned in previous USAR team evaluation exercises (Mr. Dewey Perks, USA)
- Presentation of the results of the scientific research “The coordinated use of international USAR assistance by earthquake affected countries” (Mr. Brendon Morris, South Africa)
- Updates on ASEAN cooperation on disaster management (Mr. Bandoro, Chairman, ACDM)
- Discussion of the USAR deployment to the Pakistan earthquake (Mr. Arjun Katoch, OCHA)
- DVD presentation about the Banda Aceh Tsunami disaster 26 Dec 2004.
The discussions during the meeting resulted in recommendations for follow-up activities, as described in the work-plan of the Regional Group Asia/Pacific for 2006/2007 given below.
Work-Plan for the period 2006/2007 for the INSARAG Regional Group Asia/Pacific
Capacity Building and training
1. USAR command-post exercises to be held in the region must include thorough previous training and preparation of national participants of the host country in INSARAG methodology and coordination procedures.
Action: All member countries hosting exercises
2. Mongolia offered to host an INSARAG Asia Pacific regional group USAR command-post exercise in summer 2007 in Ulaan Bataar. Further details to be developed between Mongolia and the INSARAG Secretariat, which will assist Mongolia in the preparation and conduct of the exercise. China also offered to assist Mongolia in preparation for the exercise based on its experiences in conducting the regional exercise in 2006.
Action: China, Mongolia, INSARAG Secretariat
3. Countries are encouraged to incorporate INSARAG and UN response coordination procedures into their national disaster management plans in order to facilitate incoming USAR assistance in a disaster. In this connection, New Zealand offered to make available their national disaster response plan that has incorporated INSARAG and UN coordination tools and procedures to serve as reference for other countries. The document will be made available on the Virtual OSOCC.
Action: New Zealand, all member countries
4. China offered to make available their newly constructed USAR training facility in Beijing which is to be opened in the second half of 2007, to be utilized by countries in the region for USAR training.
Action: China and interested member countries
5. Member states and organisations offered training opportunities as per the table given below to be utilized by any USAR team or country requiring that training.
Action: Member countries
USAR team evaluation and classification
6. The regional group agreed that the INSARAG classification should be carried out in a transparent manner approved by the INSARAG Steering Committee by experts in the components of the USAR team to be evaluated, namely: management, logistics, search, rescue and medical. To ensure consistency, quality and sustainability, it was recommended that the INSARAG Secretariat establish a roster of experts for the required components in consultation with member countries. Dedicated training for these experts should be considered.
Action: INSARAG Secretariat and member countries
7. New Zealand stated that it would like a classification of their international USAR team to be conducted in 2007. It will confirm to the INSARAG Secretariat by February 2007 suitable dates for the classification.
Action: New Zealand, INSARAG Secretariat
8. The Chairman INSARAG stated that Switzerland and IRO plan to hold a meeting in Jan 2007 to discuss dog performance criteria. The INSARAG Secretariat is requested to assist in identifying interested countries to participate. The meeting should identify minimum dog performance standards for international USAR and determine organisations or countries to be accepted as certifying entities for search dog performance within INSARAG.
Action: Switzerland, IRO and INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Guidelines
9. Countries that intend to translate the INSARAG Guidelines into other languages should ensure that technical expressions are accurately interpreted in the given context.
Action: Member Countries
10. The process for updating and maintenance of the Guidelines to be decided by the Steering Committee.
Action: Steering Committee
Study on coordinated use of USAR assistance by affected countries
11. It was agreed that the results of the study that had been conducted by Mr. Brendon Morris should be further considered as reinforcement of existing methodology with in the INSARAG community. It was recommended to identify additional areas for scientific research that might help to determine means for improving national and international disaster and USAR response coordination.
Action: Member Countries. INSARAG Secretariat
Cooperation among regional organizations in the Asia/Pacific region and INSARAG
12. INSARAG Secretariat should organise a meeting for members of Asia/Pacific regional organisations i.e. ASEAN, SAARC and SOPAC in conjunction with the INSARAG Asia/Pacific regional meeting in 2007 to discuss issues and opportunities for cooperation and consolidate the findings in a discussion-paper prior to the regional group meeting.
Action: INSARAG Secretariat
13. Focal points in ASEAN member countries are encouraged to request on-line for user-accounts on the Virtual OSOCC. The INSARAG Secretariat to approve these requests accordingly.
Action: ASEAN member countries, INSARAG Secretariat
14. It was suggested that UNDAC and INSARAG participate in the upcoming ACDM exercise, which will be held in Singapore in 2007. ACDM is requested to coordinate through the OCHA Regional Office in Bangkok.
Action: ACDM, OCHA Regional Office Bangkok
15. ACDM is in the process of developing SOPs for disaster response procedures. ACDM stated that these SOPs will take into account agreed procedures as defined in the INSARAG Guidelines where appropriate.
Action: ACDM
Regional Chairman and next meeting
16. South Korea was selected to take over the Chairmanship of the INSARAG Regional Group Asia/Pacific for the period 2007/2008.
Action: South Korea
17. The next meeting will be held in Seoul in 2007 on a date to be confirmed.
Training opportunities Asia/Pacific 2006/2007
Date / Organiser & Location / Event / Language / Website / Participants / Fee per participant29Jan – 9 Feb 2007 / Singapore
Civil Defence Academy / International USAR Course / English / Rescuers / 2,150 S$
7 May - 2June 2007 / Queensland Fire Rescue, Australia / CAT 2 course / English / Rescue technicians / Tbd[1]
Jul/Aug 2007 / JICA/Japan / Rescue course / Mainly Japanese / tbc[2] / tbd1
2007 / IRO,
worldwide (see website) / Search dog training / German & English / www.iro-dogs.org / Dog handlers / See website
1-4 Nov 2007 / IRO,
Slovenia / Search dog Mission Readiness test / English & German / www.iro-dogs.org / Dog handlers & team leaders / 50 EURO per dog (tbc2, see website)
INSARAG Asia/Pacific Regional Meeting 2006
Participants
ASEAN
Ms. Adelina Kamal
Senior Officer, Enviroment and Disaster Management
ASEAN Secretariat
Tel: +62816955141
Fax: +62217230985
E-mail:
Australia
Mr. Tony Pearce (Chairman)
Director, Emergency Management Australia and
Chairman of the INSARAG Regional Group Asia/Pacific
Tel: +61 2 6256 4631
mob: +0418 546 702
Fax: +61 3 5228 2819
E-mail:
Mr Greg Mullins
Commissioner
New South Wales Fire Brigade
Phone +61 2 9265-2920
Lee Johnson
Commissioner
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service
Phone +617 3247 8100
Diana Williams
Assistant Secretary Emergency Management Policy
Emergency Management Australia
Attorney Generals Department
Phone +612 6256 4682
Mr. James Gustus (event organisation)
Assistant Director
Urban Search and Rescue
Emergency Management Australia
Mobile: +61407220803
Tel: +61 2 6256 4618, Fax: +61 2 6256 4641
E-mail:
Mr Gerry Foster (event organisation)
Urban Search and Rescue Project
Emergency Management Australia
Attorney-General's Department
Bangladesh
Mr. Ian Rector
Chief Technical Advisor
880 2 989 0854
Cambodia
Mr. Chay Pheap
Response for Search and Rescue Department Cambodia NCDM
Mobile: +85511910084
Tel: +855 23 11171, Fax: +855 23 211030
E-mail:
China
Mr. Zhao Heping
Deputy Director General China Earthquake Administration
Fax: +86108801538
E-mail:
Mr. Wang Jian
Vice Section Chief Department of International Cooperation China Earthquake Administration
Fax: +861068210995
E-mail:
Mr. Huang Jianfa
Department Director Department of Emergency Management and Response China Earthquake Administration Beijing, China
Mobile: +8613910300366
Tel: + 86 10 88015526
Fax: + 86 10 68210995/ +861068170544
E-mail: /
Mr. Jia Linbo
Senior Advisor China International Search and Rescue Team
E-mail:
Mr. Sun Xiaojing
Section Chief Department of Personnel China Earthquake Administration
E-mail:
Mr. Ding Xiufang
Department Director China Earthquake Administration
E-mail:
Mr. Xu Yajun
Section Chief Emergency Management Office State Council
E-mail:
Germany
Dr. Thomas Ferdinand Hoenicke
Chargae de relations internationales envoye special du vice-president de la BA Technisches Hilfswerk
THW Deutschherrenstr. 93 - 95 D-53177 Bonn Allemagne
Mobile +49 172 240 66 20
Tel +49 228 940 1815
Fax +49 228 940 1144
Indonesia
Mr. Adik Bantarso Bandoro
Head Bureau of Cooperation BAKORNAS
Mobile 62 8161910619
Fax 62 21 3458400 ext 301
Mr. Agus Haryono
Staff of SAR Operation Center of the National SAR Agency (BASARNAS)
Mobile 62 8159962541
Tel 62-21 34832901
Fax 62-21 34832884
IRO
Mr. John Choi
International Rescuedog Organisation (IRO)
Tel 82 11 3503036
Fax 82 31 3209008
Mr. Wolfgang Hitsch
International Rescue Dog Organisation
Moosstrasse 32 5020
Salzburg Austria www.iro-dogs.org
Mobile +43 664 428 2231
Tel +43 662 826 526
Fax +43 662 826 526 20
Mr. Wolfgang Zoerner
President International Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO)
Tel +43 0664 3534857
Fax +43 662 826526
Japan
Mr. Mitsunori Namba
Director Overseas Disaster Assistance Division International Cooperation Bureau (MDFA)
Tel +81 3 5501 8359
Fax +81 3 5501 8358
Mr Hiroyuki Yokoi
Secretariat of Japan Disaster Relief Team Training Team, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Tel +81-3-5352-5476
Fax +81-3-5352-5400
Mr Takashi Yoshida
Director General, Secretariat of Japan Disaster Relief Team, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Tel 81-3-5352-5453
Fax 81-3-5352-5400
Malaysia
Major Mohd Sakri Hussin
Major, Crisis And Disaster Management Directorate Management,
National Security Division,
Prime Minister Department
Mobile +6012 3038289
Tel +603 88882063
Fax +603 88883051
Mongolia
Mr. Togtokh Ganbold
Deputy Chief Commissioner NEMA
Mobile 00976 11 95117855
Tel 00976 11 327373
Col. Batmunkh Uuganbayar
Head of Policy and Planning Division of National Emergency Management Agency of Mongolia
Mobile +976 11 95255502
Tel +976-11-262334
E-mail b_ubayar
New Zealand
Mr. John Hamilton
Director, Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management
Tel +6444737363
Mr. John Lovell
Emergency Management Advisor Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management
Mobile + 64 27 438 26 94
Tel + 64 33 79 02 94
Fax + 64 33 79 52 23
Mr Jim Stuart-Black
National Manager, Special Operations New Zealand Fire Service Manager
New Zealand USAR
Mobile +6421739362
Tel + 64 (0)4 496 3741
Fax + 64 (0)4 499 1716
OCHA
Mr. Arjun Katoch
Chief, FCSS and Secretary INSARAG
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Mobile +41794174165
Tel +41 22 917 1199
Fax +41 22 917 0023
Mr. Thomas Peter
Deputy Chief Field Coordination Support Section OCHA-Geneva
Mobile +41 79 417 4169
Tel +41 22 917 3143
Fax +41 22 917 0023
Mr. Rajan Gengaje
Regional Disaster Response Advisor
OCHA Regional Office in Bangkok
Tel +66 2 288 2572
Fax +66 2 288 1043
E-mail ,
Philippines
Mr Arnel Capili
Regional Director for the Philippine Office of Civil Defense- Region 5 and
Executive Officer of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council
Mobile +63 917 5338877
Tel +63 052 481-1656
Singapore
Mr Ramasamy Puniamoorthy
Director, Civil Defence force Academy
Tel + 65 68483811
Mr. Shaiful Herman Shali
Rota Commander Singapore Civil Defence Force
Tel +6564717484
South Africa
Mr. Brendon Morris
Medical Rescue Consultant
Mobile +31622421528
Tel +31 622 421528
Fax +31 162 522482
South Korea
Mr. Cheolsu Bae
Chief Commander
National 119 Rescue Services, National Emergency Management Agency
Phone 82 31 870 2085
Mr Yongsang Kim
Int'l Program Coordinator Korea Int'l S&R Team UNDAC Member
Mobile 82 10 2215 6634
Tel 82 31 570 2085
Fax 82 31 529 1119
E-mail ,
Pyoung Kang Shim
Head U119 Team
National Emergency Management Agency
Phone 82 31 570 2085
Switzerland
Mr. Toni Frisch
Deputy Director Federal Department of Foreign Affairs