Published 26 June 2026

UK Fire and Rescue Services Deploy to Support Venezuela Earthquake Response

A 68-strong contingent from the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services has been deployed to Venezuela following two devastating back-to-back earthquakes.  

The UK International Search and Rescue (UK ISAR) team, which has been deployed through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office following a request for support from the Venezuelan government, is made up of firefighters and staff from 14 fire and rescue services. 

Those fire services are Cheshire, Essex, Greater Manchester, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, London, Merseyside, Mid and West Wales, Scotland, South Wales and West Midlands. 

In addition to the 68 personnel, the team will also take 6 specially trained dogs to support with the search. 

UK ISAR is part of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) National Resilience Work and is on permanent standby to mobilise and assist when requested by disaster-affected countries.  It deploys as an official UK government team once a request has been made for assistance.  

The team are expected to support search and rescue efforts for up to 10 days. 

National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Phil Garrigan, said: 

“The thoughts of everyone across the UK’s fire and rescue services are with those affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. 

“In response to a request made through the UK Government, a team of highly trained UK firefighters and specialist medics has been deployed to support the international rescue effort. 

“These firefighters bring exceptional skill, experience and dedication, and will work alongside local and international teams to provide vital search and rescue support where it is needed most, with the intent to help save lives in extremely challenging conditions. 

“Their mission is clear and I know they will respond with focus, compassion and care.” 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors 

  • The UK ISAR team https://www.ukisar.org/ responds primarily to overseas urban or flood search and rescue emergencies on behalf of the UK and are all trained to use specialist kit, including flood rescue boats and drones. They are sponsored and supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).  
  • The team is drawn from 14 UK fire and rescue services and are trained to operate in complex and high-risk environments overseas, providing specialist search and rescue capability in response to major international emergencies. 
  • Alongside the permanent International Search and Rescue Capability team, comprised of officers seconded to Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, the UK ISAR team deployed to Venezuela has been drawn from the following fire and rescue services: 
  • Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service  
  • Essex County Fire and Rescue Service  
  • Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service  
  • Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service  
  • Kent Fire and Rescue Service   
  • Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service  
  • Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service  
  • Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service  
  • London Fire Brigade  
  • Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service  
  • Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service  
  • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service  
  • South Wales Fire and Rescue Service  
  • West Midlands Fire Service  
  • The deployment also includes members of the UMT medical team, a structural engineer, and vet. 
  • Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service is the lead authority for UK ISAR. 
  • Any UK ISAR team deployed is self-sufficient upon arrival and provides its own food, water, shelter, sanitation, communications and all necessary equipment to undertake search and rescue operations for up to 14 days. This is to ensure no additional burden is placed on a country already suffering demands on its resources following a sudden onset disaster. 
  • Previous deployments include Morocco, Turkey, Algeria, Pakistan, India, Iran, Mozambique, Indonesia, Haiti, New Zealand, Japan, Bosnia, Nepal, and Malawi. 
  • The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is a charity and an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. UK ISAR is part of NFCC’s National Resilience function.