Question : SETTING UP OF RESCUE TEAM

(a) whether the Government are aware that hundreds of people die every year due to non-availability of well equipped Search and Rescue Team in the country to handle the relief work during Natural Disaster/Manmade Disasters;

(b) if so, whether the Union Government propose to raise such Rescue Team to undertake relief work as and when required in any part of the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government of Maharashtra has sent a proposal to the Union Government for setting up of a Search and Rescue Team consisting of Fire Bridgade Personnel, Medical Personnel, Engineers etc. to undertake the relief work during floods, cyclone, earthquake, etc.;

(e) if so, the name of the other States sent such proposals to Union Government; and

(f) the status of such proposals as on date?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI I.D.SWAMI)

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Home Affairs have earmarked six Companies each of CISF and ITBP as Specialized Rapid Response Units for search and rescue and emergency response in the wake of disasters. In addition, four CISF Companies have also been earmarked for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) disasters. The specialized training process has started.

(d) to (f): The Ministry of Home Affairs, inter-alia, advised the State Governments to consider setting up specialized composite search and rescue teams comprising one Company of the State Armed Police trained and equipped to carry out specialized search and rescue, one mobile engineering unit with necessary equipment and one medical assistance team. The State Governments have also been advised that teams may be trained together so as to function as a unit under the overall charge of a designated officer. The steps taken by the State Governments will be reviewed in the Conference of Relief Commissioners of the State Governments in March, 2003.