SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant move to bolster national disaster preparedness, Dominican authorities have inaugurated a comprehensive international training and certification initiative designed to enhance specialized search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. The program specifically targets operations in collapsed structures and confined spaces, aiming to elevate the technical and operational proficiency of emergency response teams across the country.
This strategic endeavor represents a collaborative inter-institutional partnership, spearheaded by the National Office for Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (Onesvie). The initiative is being executed in coordination with major international and domestic partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National School of Risk Management (Esnageri), and the National Emergency and Security System 9-1-1.
Official communications clarify that the program’s core objective is to systematically reduce seismic vulnerability and significantly improve emergency response outcomes for disasters triggered by earthquakes and catastrophic structural failures. This will be achieved through the rigorous implementation of internationally recognized training protocols and certification standards.
The curriculum is structured around four specialized courses. The foundational training commenced with the Incident Command System (ICS), which is being delivered by instructors from the American Safety & Rescue Institute. This module carries international accreditation certified by Texas A&M University. A subsequent series of advanced courses, slated for March, will complete the training cycle. These will encompass critical skill sets in hazardous materials (HAZMAT) management, confined space rescue techniques, and advanced strategies for rescue operations in collapsed buildings.