INTERNATIONAL COURSE FOR USAR STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

From 26 to 30th of March, in Poggioreale, Sicily, was held the international course for structural engineers "USAR Structural Engineering".

Matt KEOGH (technical rescue advisor and inventor of the LEADER WASP Warning Alarm Stability Device) gave a course based on his experience in emergency response.

Theoretical courses (assessment/mitigation/monitoring of structural risks for USAR operations to post-disaster building safety assessment) and practical exercises in USAR structural engineering were given throughout the week: lectures, sessions in small groups, role plays, open discussions and fieldwork in Old Poggioreale, a village destroyed in an earthquake in 1968.

This week of courses was organized in synergy by the national fire brigade and by the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), with the collaboration of the Department of Civil Protection of the Region of Sicily (Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco).

The training has been attended by many top engineers and instructors (INSARAG) from Colombia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Italy, Peru, New Zealand, Switzerland and the UK. The courses were led by a group of instructors recognized for their expertise in their specialties (Dave Brunsdon, Joshua Macabuag CEng MICE EngD, Matt Keogh and Oscar Lizarzaburu).

It was a wonderful week of learning and sharing with other teams.

Photo credits: Vigili del Fuoco

March 2023