Three watch managers from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have been commended for their work helping search for survivors after devastating earthquakes killed thousands in Venezuela.
Three firefighters from Greater Manchester have been praised for their efforts helping with the search and rescue response to last month's devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Watch Managers Gavin Kearsley, Dan Davey and Mike Hirst spent nearly two weeks in the disaster zone as part of a 68-strong UK team.
The pair of earthquakes struck on 24 June, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, just 39 seconds apart. The disaster has now claimed more than 5,500 lives, with over 16,000 people injured and many more still missing.
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service trio were part of the UK International Search and Rescue response, joining colleagues from 13 other fire services across the country. The team deployed from RAF Brize Norton alongside six search dogs and specialist medical, engineering and veterinary support.
Operating from a base in La Guaira on Venezuela's northern coast, the UK ISAR team worked with Venezuelan authorities, UN agencies and international partners to coordinate urban search and rescue efforts. Watch Manager Gavin Kearsley described one operation where the team worked alongside US colleagues for 48 hours tunnelling through rubble searching for survivors.
"Sadly, thousands of people lost their lives and millions of people have been affected across the country, and our thoughts remain with everyone in Venezuela," Kearsley said. He described seeing families searching through rubble for loved ones as a "defining moment" during the deployment.
The UK team returned home in early July after supporting search operations and carrying out structural assessments across affected communities. Phil Garrigan, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, praised the team for demonstrating "professionalism, expertise and compassion" while working in extremely challenging conditions.
It's estimated 18,000 people have lost their homes in the disaster. The earthquakes were the strongest to hit Venezuela since 1900.
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