Fast Israeli Rescue & Search Team (F.I.R.S.T.) is the national association for search and rescue established in 1986. F.I.R.S.T. trains, supports and coordinates activities of 11 regional search and rescue units around Israel. The entire F.I.R.S.T. organization, from administrators to each of the Search and Rescue units (SAR) is entirely made up of volunteers. These are a remarkable group of some 550 highly motivated professional-level civilians who come from all walks of life and all Israeli ethnic and religious communities.
For the past 20 years F.I.R.S.T. volunteers have dedicated their time and risked their lives to save tens of thousands of people faced by disastrous situations in Israel and abroad. In times of national emergency, F.I.R.S.T. units are often the first to arrive on the scene since the volunteers live among the population that they serve. The units work in close operational collaboration with Israel’s police force, civil defense and air-force search and rescue units and with local fire departments, providing civil defense capabilities such as rescue from collapsed buildings or first aid for victims of violent assault. F.I.R.S.T. is one of the few Israeli non-governmental, not-for-profit aid groups registered within the Israeli government system, the United Nations (INSARAG) system and with the UN’s rapid response teams.
F.I.R.S.T. sent relief delegations to help victims of man made and natural disasters around the world as an expression of the Israeli belief in helping those in need regardless of race, gender, religion and disabilities. In 2005 Israel’s President Mr. Moshe Katzav awarded F.I.RS.T. with the “Presidential Volunteerism Award”.
FIRST rescue units operated in Turkey, India, Mexico, El- Salvador, Greece, Armenia, New Guinea and more.
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Israelis to coordinate UN bodies in times of worldwide disasters
Worldwide, November 5, 2007
Two Israelis, Dr. Efraim Laor, chairperson of Israel's national civilian search and rescue teams F.I.R.S.T., (F.I.R.S.T is a member of IsraAID) and Mr. Gili Shenhar have just became a part of an international UN response team in times of complex emergencies.
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Peru Ambassador to Israel hosts Israeli relief team after their return from earthquake zone in Peru
Israel, Oct. 9, 2007
Jerusalem Post reports on FIRST/IsraAID reception at Peru Ambassador's residence in Herzelia, Israel.
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A Rocky Mountain high for Israeli rescue unit
USA, July 17, 2005
 "I think it's very useful even if only to get to know people personally. Most of the rescue members of the Alpine and Rocky Mountain units aren't Jewish or very aware of Israel. So it's gratifying to expose them to Israelis our culture and our people," added Sharir.
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F.I.R.S.T. Chairman Appointed Head of National Steering Committee for Earthquake Readiness in Israel
Tel Aviv, August 2003
Dr. Efraim Laor Chairman of Fast Israeli Rescue & Search Team (F.I.R.S.T.) and a board member of IsraAID who has just been appointed to be the new Chairman of "The National Steering Committee for Earthquakes in Israel" on behalf of the Israeli government.
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F.I.R.S.T. Holds Pre hospital Management of Earthquake Casualties Buried Under Rubble
Hadera, Israel, May 2003
F.I.R.S.T. and Hillel Yafe Hospital will be holding a conference on Pre hospital Management of Earthquake Casualties Buried Under Rubble
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F.I.R.S.T. THE ISRAELI RESCUE TEAM WILL HAVE A JOINT TRAINING SESSION WITH SAR TEAMS FROM COLORADO,
Israel, November 2002
F.I.R.S.T. – Fast Israeli Rescue & Search Team will be hosting between the 9 - 19 Nov. 2002, a group of 10 Search and Rescue [SAR] volunteers, representatives of 3 SAR teams from Colorado, USA
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Fast Israeli Rescue & Search Teams [F.I.R.S.T.] Responds to Earthquake in Turkey
Turky, August 1999
 F.I.R.S.T. sends Search & Rescue teams to Turkey following devastating earthquake. On the site F.I.R.S.T. in collaboration with other Search & Rescue teams help save lives of people from the debree.
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Organization:
F.I.R.S.T (Search & Rescue Teams)
Population served:
Both sexes, Children, Teens, Adults, Seniors
Languages:
Hebrew, English
Area of Focus:
Vertical Search & Rescue, Urban Search & Rescue, Swift-Water Rescue, Disaster Relief, Medical, Education
Location of Activities:
Israel, worldwide
Contact Person:
Dr. Efraim Laor, President
Office Address:
Phone:
00-972-4-6709 944
Fax:
00-972-4-6709 945
Email:
laor10@zahav.net.il
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F.I.R.S.T (Search & Rescue Teams)
