Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has begun a formal reclassification of the UAE Search and Rescue Team under the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue category, a move designed to align national disaster-response capability with internationally recognised United Nations benchmarks and to position the team for rapid overseas deployment during large-scale emergencies.The process, announced by the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, places the UAE Search and Rescue Team under external evaluation protocols set by the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, known globally as INSARAG. The classification framework is regarded as the gold standard for assessing the readiness, coordination, equipment and training of urban search and rescue units responding to earthquakes, building collapses and complex disasters.
Officials said the reclassification focuses on meeting the Heavy USAR criteria, the highest operational level under INSARAG, which requires teams to sustain self-sufficient operations for extended periods in challenging environments. This includes advanced technical rescue skills, medical capacity, logistics support, canine search units and command structures capable of integrating with international emergency coordination mechanisms.
The UAE Search and Rescue Team has previously taken part in international humanitarian missions, often deploying at short notice following major disasters. The current assessment aims to formalise those capabilities within a UN-validated structure, ensuring interoperability with other certified teams and smoother coordination with global relief agencies during multinational responses.
INSARAG classification involves a multi-stage process, including document reviews, field exercises and on-site simulations observed by international experts. Teams are tested on mobilisation speed, operational planning, safety management, information sharing and the ability to work continuously in demanding conditions. Achieving Heavy USAR status signals that a unit can handle large-scale urban disasters independently while operating within the UN’s global coordination system.
Civil defence officials in Abu Dhabi described the initiative as part of a broader effort to standardise emergency preparedness across the UAE, reflecting the country’s growing role in international humanitarian assistance. The reclassification also aligns with national resilience strategies that emphasise readiness for natural and man-made disasters, both domestically and abroad.
Within the region, few search and rescue units have attained or pursued Heavy USAR classification, making the UAE’s move notable in the context of Middle East disaster-response capacity. Analysts say the push reflects lessons drawn from global emergencies over the past decade, where the effectiveness of early urban search and rescue operations has often determined survival rates in the critical first days after a disaster.
Training has been central to the UAE team’s preparation for reclassification. Personnel undergo intensive programmes covering structural collapse rescue, hazardous materials handling, medical triage and the use of specialised equipment such as acoustic detection devices and search cameras. Canine units are trained to international standards, while command staff receive instruction in UN-mandated coordination protocols used during multinational responses.
The authority said the process also evaluates support systems beyond frontline rescuers, including logistics, communications and welfare arrangements. Heavy USAR teams must be capable of deploying with their own supplies, accommodation, power generation and medical support, reducing the burden on affected countries during emergencies.
International humanitarian experts view INSARAG classification as increasingly important as climate-related disasters and urbanisation raise the complexity of emergency response. Dense cities, high-rise buildings and interconnected infrastructure require specialised skills and coordination that go beyond traditional civil defence operations.
For Abu Dhabi, the reclassification effort underscores an ambition to embed international best practice into domestic emergency services while contributing to global disaster relief. The authority said the initiative strengthens partnerships with UN agencies and peer organisations, enhancing knowledge exchange and joint training opportunities.
While the assessment process can take months to complete, officials indicated that the UAE Search and Rescue Team is working closely with international evaluators to address any gaps identified during simulations and reviews. The outcome will determine whether the team is formally listed as a Heavy USAR unit within the INSARAG global directory, a status that allows rapid activation through UN emergency coordination channels.
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