ISAR Business Plan 2008/11 - West Midlands Fire Service

Introduction - ISAR Commander
I am delighted to introduce the strategic business plan for the West Midlands International Search and
Rescue (ISAR) team 2008 – 2011.
The West Midlands team is part of the wider UK-ISAR team which is dedicated to the provision of a
professional and effective response capability on behalf of the UK government to disasters all over the world.
I am proud to say that our team members are exceptional in their commitment, professionalism and
dedication to the team and the roles we are required to undertake. This level of excellence doesn’t just
happen; the team leaders pride themselves in the extensive and painstaking selection process that we
put all of our personnel through in order that we only select the best of the best.
Primarily our role is that of Search and Rescue in collapsed structures; however, the West Midlands team has
also invested a great deal financially and in training to develop a Command and Control capability that is
second to none, which will support the full UK-ISAR team when deployed. We recognise the need to keep
ahead of the changing face of disasters and for that reason we have and will develop further our skills in
Rope Rescue, Water Rescue, and Wide Area Search.
As a team we believe in cascading to others the skills that we have acquired and we will continue to do this,
especially in those areas of the world that will benefit most. We have and will continue to achieve this by
working in partnership with other influential international organisations as this is not only more efficient but
also more effective in achieving the overall objective.
ISAR BUSINESS PLAN 5
Alan Pellowe
ISAR Commander
West Midlands