Research on the Construction of the Emergency Search and Rescue Team for Earthquake Hazards in China

Research was conducted using statistical data on the organization of emergency search and rescue team for earthquake hazards (ESRTEH) system in China. Field research was performed with regard to provincial-level ESRTEHs, and two provincial ESRTEH external classifications were investigated. Issues in the organization were identified, the concerns of which are as follows. (1) Rescue forces are not deployed according to the magnitude of risk or the rescue requirements of an area’s earth-quake hazards. (2) A series of standards to regulate team construction is lacking, as is a system to evaluate team capabilities. (3) Non-professional rescuers lack the necessary professional skills. (4) The current professional earthquake rescue training system is imperfect. (5) The overall management hierarchy of NGO rescue teams is lacking. The following measures for improvement are proposed. (1) Accelerate the preparation of relevant standards and norms for the organization of ESRTEH system. (2) Emphasize external classification of ESRTEHs, intensify the management of the rescue teams, and establish and improve the mechanisms for long-term assessments and comparisons. (3) Integrate NGO rescue teams into ESRTEH system.