On Wednesday, May 7th, members of the UK’s International Search and Rescue (UK-ISAR) Team from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s attended the first of this year’s Royal Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace.
Hosted by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and other members of the Royal Family, Royal Garden Parties are an opportunity for members of the Royal Family to meet and speak with guests who have each made a positive impact in their community.
Group Manager Steven Davies, Watch Manager Stephen Fuge and Firefighter Derek Lewis were invited to Buckingham Palace in recognition of their deployment to assist with search and rescue efforts following the devastating earthquake that struck the Al Haouz Province in Morocco in 2023. Four members of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) personnel were deployed to Morocco in 2023, with Watch Manager Kevin Morgan due to attend another Royal Garden Party later this month.
On attending the Royal Garden Party, Group Manager Steven Davies said:
“It’s a great honour to be recognised for the part MAWWFRS has played as part of the UK’s response to disasters overseas.
Although only a small number of MAWWFRS personnel were deployed to provide a search and rescue capability and support humanitarian efforts, it would not have been possible without the support and efforts of our wider UK-ISAR Team.”
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.
The UK-ISAR Team responds primarily to overseas urban search and rescue emergencies on behalf of the UK Government.
