UAE dispatches team to identify MH17 victims

[Al Bhatti]

July 23, 2014

UAE dispatches team to identify MH17 victims
Ministry of Interior’s Victim Affairs Office responds to Interpol request

A team from the Ministry of Interior’s Victim Affairs Office has been dispatched to the MH17 crash site in Ukraine following a request by Interpol.

The team will help identify some of the victims of the Malaysian Airlines plane that was shot down in an area of eastern Ukraine held by Russian-backed separatists last week.

The crash led to the death of all the 298 individuals on board the flight.

The team is led by Major Raed Ali Al Muhairi, Director of the Victim Affairs Office. It includes experts and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) from the Emergency and Public Safety Department.

Major General Ahmad Nasser Al Raisi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Police Central Operations and Chairman of Victims Affairs Office Committee, said that the decision to send the team reflects on the Victim Affairs Office’s abilities to respond to emergency situations effectively and promptly whenever needed.

The UAE is the only Arab member of the Interpol’s Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) unit.

Abu Dhabi is one of the few cities worldwide whose DVI team operates around the clock, as other cities have set up their corresponding bureaus to deal with mass casualties only when disasters strike.

Gulf News had previously reported that around 62-70 per cent of disasters that Abu Dhabi’s DVI team usually responds to are plane crashes.

UAE dispatches team to identify MH17 victims | GulfNews.com

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Related thread:

First Arab vice-president at INSARAG

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

what does UAE have to do with the investigation

 

[IR1907]

^^ Trying to mix itself with the big boys.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

no UAE nationals aboard the airliner, no UAE investigators requested by govts of Ukraine, Malaysia, Nederlands or other concerned govts.

how does Interpol suddenly figure into this - another toothless organization with no weight

either way - good luck to the team, but quite strange to bring them into the investigation but the article does make the point about the DVI,

 

[Al Bhatti]

24 July 2014

UAE joins Interpol’s team on identifying MH17 victims

The Interpol’s request underlines the good reputation the UAE and its police and safety forces enjoy in Search and Rescue and professionalism in managing crime scenes.

A UAE team of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) specialists left today to Ukraine on request from the Interpol to join DVI process following the crash of Malaysia Airline’s flight MH17.

All 298 passengers on board were killed in the crash which took place on Thursday in Ukraine.

Major General Dr Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Director of Central Operations and Chairman of Victim Affairs Committee, Ministry of Interior, said the Emirati DVI team had immediately answered the call of duty which it received from the Interpol in implementation of the UAE’s humanitarian approach which the country’s leadership adopts at times of crises and disasters across the world.

The Interpol’s request, he added, underlines the good reputation the UAE and its police and safety forces enjoy in Search and Rescue (SAR) and high professionalism in managing crime scenes.

UAE joins Interpol’s team on identifying MH17 victims - Khaleej Times

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

that's good that they've been trained well and possess the capabilities but im curious as to when their police/safety forces were ever deployed to any disaster zone inside and outside of UAE

 

[Al Bhatti]

Over the past decade at least they sent teams to disaster areas and getting first-hand knowledge on how to manage big scale disasters like earthquakes, plane crashes, war zones etc. now they are one the of the best in the world in handling these situations and are helping other countries.

that's good that they've been trained well and possess the capabilities but im curious as to when their police/safety forces were ever deployed to any disaster zone inside and outside of UAE

------------------------------
Major Ahmed Burqiba now has a desk job but is no stranger to rolling up his sleeves and helping to save lives - in Dubai, other emirates and as far afield as Indonesia

Dubai also sent teams to help survivors after the tsunami in Indonesia, Pakistan's earthquake in 2005 and the earthquake in the southern Iranian town of Bam in 2004. "We worked with teams from all over the world, sharing our experience and skills," says Major Burqibah. "In Indonesia after the tsunami I rescued one man when I heard a faint cry. We got listening devices and found him barely alive on a boat. It was a great feeling to know we helped save a life."

Rescue team is ready for action 24/7 | The National
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June 2, 2014

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Abdul Jalil Al Ansari

UAE official sheds light on search and rescue
Official who is first vice-president at a UN advisory group says work requires inner motivation and self-development

The first Arab to hold a vice-presidential position at an international search and rescue group believes the work requires inner motivation and the ability to make sacrifices in order to help others.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Abdul Jalil Al Ansari is chief of the search and rescue at Abu Dhabi Police’s General Directorate of Central Operation, as well as head of the UAE Search and Rescue Team. He is also the vice-president of the United Nations’ International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).

In a statement sent by Abu Dhabi Police, Lt Col Al Ansari was identified as “one of the unknown soldiers who works silently and let their actions speak for them”. Earlier this year, he was also awarded the Best On-Site Officer.

“Search and rescue tasks are voluntary and cannot be tailored to fit a specific person. [In addition to inner motivation], workers should also possess the ability to take the right decision at the right time, excel at teamwork and continue developing themselves,” Lt Col Al Ansari said.

Lt Col Al Ansari graduated from the Police College in 1998, and joined the criminal security department at the Ministry of Interior in 1999. Afterwards, he worked with the Directorate General of Guards and Special Tasks. Following this, he began work with the emergency and rescue section, and is the longest-serving officer there.

The official explained that Search and Rescue was established in 2001 as a specialist team that offers quick responses during emergencies. It was created after an accident between a bus and a truck between Abu Dhabi and Dubai left five pilgrims dead and injured 26 others.

“In 2005, the team engaged in its first international contribution after the Balakot Earthquake in Pakistan. In 2009, steps were taken towards making the team more professional, and we acquired the accreditation of the INSARAG in December of that year. This meant that we were the first INSARAG-certified search and rescue team across the Middle East and North Africa,” Lt Col Al Ansari said.

The entity coordinates between personnel within various units at the Abu Dhabi Police to deal with emergencies, including emergency and public safety officials and medical service staff.

“On the local level, we provided assistance after Cyclone Gonu and Cyclone Phet impacted the eastern shores of the UAE. We have also helped during the heavy rains witnessed by the northern emirates in recent years. Internationally, we have provided aid after the 2008 earthquake in Afghanistan, and to Indonesia following tremors they experienced in 2006, 2007 and 2009,” Lt Col Al Ansari said.

In order to provide optimal support following emergencies, the team uses a range of modern equipment.

“For example, we use a remote-controlled helicopter bearing a camera, and are the first to use this equipment globally. The camera helps team leaders to evaluate risks in a work area, and follow up on rescue operations remotely,” Lt Col Al Ansari explained.

In the meantime, the official is also developing new training methods for personnel, and collaborating with GCC countries’ and Jordan’s search and rescue teams to set unified rules and procedures for operations.

First Arab vice-president at INSARAG

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

this is useful. thanks for posting

 

[Al Bhatti]

Some pictures of UAE Search & Rescue Team during humanitarian work in Pakistan and Indonesia

 

[Al Bhatti]

@Abu Zolfiqar

an old news:

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May 22, 2013

Earthquake training for GCC rescue teams

The UAE search and rescue unit has carried out a joint drill with teams from the GCC to ensure it is fully prepared in the event of an earthquake.

The drill was carried out at the UAE team's camp in Al Shlila, Abu Dhabi, and included teams from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.

It focused on measuring the team's response capabilities in cases of natural disasters and buildings collapsing.

Colonel Mohammed Abduljalil Al Ansari, head of search and rescue at Abu Dhabi Police, said in 2009 the team was classified in the "medium" category according to the international standards.

The drill is part of its preparations to qualify for the "heavy" category.

Earthquake training for GCC rescue teams | The National

 

[Al Bhatti]

July 25, 2014

UAE team to help identify victims of downed Malaysian MH17
UAE only Arab country in Interpol’s victim identification global team

At the request of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), the UAE Disaster Victims Identification (DVI) team set out on Tuesday to Ukraine to take part in identifying the remains of victims killed in last Thursday’s downing of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 plane over Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew.

According to Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Director General of Central Operations and Chairman of the Victims Affairs Committee, the UAE Disaster Victims Identification (DVI) team led by Major Raed Al Muhairi, Director of the Victims Affairs Office includes several experts and two emergency doctors from the Emergency and Public Safety Department.

The team has immediately responded to the request received from the Interpol, in keeping with the humanitarian approach pursued by the UAE leadership to help peoples and countries worldwide suffering from crises and disasters.

Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi added that this international request reflects prestigious good reputation enjoyed by the UAE, and the efficiency of its police and public safety teams specialized in search and rescue, in dealing with emergency incidents’ scenes with high professionalism

Major Raed Al Muhairi, noted that the UAE is the only Arab member in the organization on Disaster Victim Identification under the umbrella of Interpol, thanks to the unwavering support from the country’s leadership, which provided the necessary financial and advanced technical resources, as well as continuous training opportunities for human cadres. “All of these measures have contributed to making our police organization one of the most modern and efficient police institution in the world,” he added.

Major Al Muhairi pointed out that a number of advanced countries have already dispatched their experts to participate in this delicate and critical mission, including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia, the United Kingdom among others.

He noted that the UAE Ministry of Interior has outranked other well-established countries on the international scene, in terms of security technology and public safety.

UAE team to help identify victims of downed Malaysian MH17 - Emirates 24/7