The Search and Rescue Squad is the Search and Rescue

Search and rescue

Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...

 group of the Victoria Police

Victoria Police

Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...

 that provides specialist expertise, advice and practical assistance in land search and rescue. This expertise covers most terrains including snow and vertical cliff search and rescue.

History

The Search and Rescue Squad was formed in 1957 after several unsuccessful searches for missing persons in remote areas of Victoria. Initially the squad consisted of five men with considerable bush experience, who controlled and coordinated bush searches. When not engaged in searches these members performed general police duties.

In 1958 members were trained in diving by the Royal Australian Navy

Royal Australian Navy

The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...

, and from this time onward the squad became responsible for underwater searches. These searches included the search and recovery of deceased persons, stolen property, weapons, court evidence, motor vehicles and other objects. The squad became fully operational in 1962 in response to the increasing demand for its services.

Search operations

The squad's duties include:

• underwater diving
• bush search and rescue
• snow search and rescue
• mountaineering
• navigation
• cliff rescue and airborne operations.
• searching ship hulls for drugs
• investigating diving fatalities
• retrieving submerged cars, exhibits or bodies from rivers and lakes.

Rescue operations

The Search and Rescue Squad provide assistance in land, snow and vertical cliff search and rescue. The Rescue Coordination Centre provides the squad with information on the location and assistance required. It is the squad's responsibility to provide the necessary equipment depending on whether it is a land, water, snow or vertical cliff rescue.

Operational support

The Search and Rescue Squad sometimes works with other Emergency Response Division Squads, such as the Air Wing to assist in searching and transporting members to isolated locations. The squad also coordinates the activities of specialist volunteer groups such as Bush Search and Rescue Victoria and the State Emergency Service

State Emergency Service

A State Emergency Service is an Australian volunteer organisation that provides emergency help during and after declared disasters. The SES is also the primary or secondary agency for emergencies, such as storm damage,flood damage, building damage, traffic hazards and road crash rescue...

 in the field.

Demonstrations and protests

During planned lengthy or potentially violent public demonstrations, Search and Rescue can be deployed to remove large or solid objects that have been positioned to obstruct operational police members. Search and Rescue has also assisted in the removal of forest demonstrators who have positioned themselves in trees or attached themselves to tree-removing equipment.

Training support for operational members

Search and Rescue assists local operational police by providing advice and formal training in bush craft, map reading and navigation.

Equipment

The Search and Rescue Squad has a large range of specialist equipment including:

• Dive operations vehicle, fitted with equipment to cover most operational situations
• Four wheel drive vehicles that carry a full complement of recovery equipment including first-aid kits, winches, axes, chain slings and snatch blocks and chains
• Two over-snow vehicles
• Two boats
• Communications equipment
• Cliff rescue and climbing equipment
• Bushwalking equipment
• Snow and ice climbing equipment
• Skimobiles
• Jetskis

Diving equipment

The squad uses twin-cylinder diving units for most diving operations. A high-pressure compressor is also carried on the dive truck and to other long-term dive sites.

A 'personal issue' wetsuit protects each diver from injury and retains enough warmth to withstand even the coldest water. An inflatable 'Fenzy

Fenzy

Fenzy is a scuba diving and industrial breathing equipment making firm. It started in or before 1920.In 1961 its member Maurice Fenzy invented the first inflatable divers' lifejacket : see Buoyancy compensator #History.They made rebreathers and inflatable divers' lifejackets.-External links:Fenzy...

' assists ascent to the surface through a compressed air cylinder, which automatically inflates the vest. Standard diving accessories include swim fins, facemask, diving knives, weight belt and a lifeline between the diver and the on-land attendant.

External links

• Search and Rescue Squad, Victoria Police, 2 May 2007