Published 29 June 2026

UK Firefighters Continue Life-saving Work in Venezuela Earthquake Response

UK International Search and Rescue (UK ISAR) teams are continuing their deployment in Venezuela, now two days into a complex international effort to locate and rescue those affected by last week’s devastating earthquakes.

The 68-strong contingent from UK Fire and Rescue Services remains on the ground in the Caraballeda Coastal region – about 15 km north of the capital, Caracas – working alongside local and international partners to support ongoing search and rescue operations.

Since arriving in-country, the team has been conducting systematic searches of collapsed structures, deploying canine search teams and using specialist equipment to locate survivors, in extremely challenging conditions.

The team is made up of firefighters and specialist staff from 14 UK fire and rescue services and includes six trained search dogs, as well as specialist roles such as medics, a structural engineer and a vet.

Images released today show UK ISAR personnel working through collapsed buildings, coordinating with local teams, and deploying dogs, highlighting the difficult and often hazardous environment they are working in as part of the rescue effort.

National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Phil Garrigan, said:
“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by these devastating earthquakes and the families still waiting for news of their loved ones.

“Since arriving in Venezuela the UK ISAR team has been working round the clock in incredibly challenging conditions, working side by side with local and international colleagues as part of a coordinated global response. Their dedication and professionalism is a source of great pride for the UK’s fire and rescue services.

Notes to Editors:
  • The UK ISAR team UKISAR – UK International Search and Rescue is the UK government’s official search and rescue team. The team 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.
  • Image Credit: UK ISAR
  • For more information, please contact NFCC’s Communication Team at communications@nfcc.org.uk