The Search and Rescue Squad is the

Search and Rescue Search and rescue (SAR) 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, typically determined by the type of terrain the search ...

unit of

Victoria Police Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of the Australian States and territories of Australia, state of Victoria (Australia), Victoria. It was formed in 1853 and currently operates under the ''Victoria Police Act 2013''. , Victo ...

and 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 Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

. 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 The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister of ...

, 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

Bush Search and Rescue Victoria CIMG3256

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 Bush Search and Rescue Victoria (BSAR) is a volunteer search and rescue group active in the state of Victoria (Australia) and is affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria. Bush Search and Rescue participates in land-based search and rescue activiti ...

and the

State Emergency Service The State Emergency Service (SES) is the name used by a number of organisations in Australia that provide assistance during and after major incidents. Specifically, the service deals with floods, storms and tsunamis, but can also assist in oth ...

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 is a scuba diving and industrial breathing equipment design and manufacturing firm. It started in or before 1920 in France. Finally Honeywell bought them out. In 1961 the company's founder and owner, Maurice Fenzy, invented a divers' ''adjus ...

' 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.

References

{{reflist Police units of Australia Rescue agencies Victoria Police 1957 establishments in Australia