West Midlands Fire officers return home after aiding rescue efforts in Venezuela

Seven members of West Midlands Fire Service have returned home safely after helping in the international rescue effort in Venezuela following the earthquake which devastated the country.

The fire service said the members of the service, were among 70 UK fire and rescue service personnel deployed after the offer of help from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was accepted by Venezuela, with the team arriving in South America on June 27.

The team landed back in the UK at Birmingham Airport at around 10.30am on Sunday and were welcomed back by WMFS Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Steve Ball.

During the deployment, they conducted several missions, which included building searches using specialist equipment and dogs, assessing humanitarian needs and supporting other search teams.

A UK International Search and Rescue (ISAR) Incident Room was established at WMFS HQ and staffed throughout the deployment to provide critical support to colleagues on the ground.

The fire service said that while deployments often highlight the operational activities carried out, they are only possible because of the extensive training, planning and preparation undertaken long before a team is mobilised.

From maintaining specialist capabilities and equipment to ensuring personnel are ready to deploy at short notice, significant effort goes into preparing for international response operations.

During the deployment itself, the Incident Room played a vital role in coordinating staffing, welfare, logistics and operational support, helping to ensure the team could carry out their work safely and effectively.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill said: “I would like to thank every member of the UK ISAR team who took part in this deployment to Venezuela.

“Once again, they demonstrated the professionalism, compassion and resilience that our people are known for, working alongside international partners in incredibly challenging circumstances.

“I am equally grateful to everyone back at our Headquarters who supported the operation from the Incident Room.

“Their planning, coordination and round-the-clock logistical support played a vital role in our work throughout.

“We are incredibly proud of everyone involved.

“While our personnel have now returned home, our focus turns to ensuring they receive the welfare and wellbeing support they need as they take time to recover from what has been a demanding deployment.”