Hafnarfjörður´s Search and Rescue Team is 25 years old

Almost 100 years of history of search and rescue work in Hafnarfjörður

25 years have passed since Hafnarfjörður´s Search and Rescue Team was founded, but the team was formed by the merger of the Fiskaklettur Search and Rescue Team and the Scout Rescue Team on February the 26th, in the year 2000. The merger created one of the largest and most powerful search and rescue teams in the country.

A party was held to mark the milestone on the anniversary at the Klettur Rescue Center, Hvaleyrarbraut 32, where guests had the opportunity to explore the premises and equipment. The mayor of Hafnarfjörður, Valdimar Víðisson, was at the forefront, interested in learning about the teams history and activities.

“The municipality is proud to have within its ranks both residents and staff who work energetically and selflessly in rescue and relief work and are available around the clock all year round. We are extremely proud of our team and grateful to know that they are on duty every day,” says Valdimar. “A trained and well-run rescue team is an important foundation in the contingency plans of all municipalities.”

Their call sign is SPORI

Despite the young age of the Hafnarfjörður´s Search and Rescue Team, the history of rescue and relief work in Hafnarfjörður is fast approaching 100 years. The team is equipped with a number of equipment and a close-knit crew that possesses the knowledge and experience needed to be available at all times. There are close to 200 people on the call-out list. Members who put a lot of effort into keeping themselves, as well as the equipment, in the best possible shape so that they can react quickly and safely when the need arises. The team, which operates within ICE-SAR, operates in most areas of rescue work and can respond to any kind of emergency, whether on land or at sea. The team also maintains protective duty for the youth department Björgúlfur, which is one of the oldest youth departments in the country. This way, the team maintains a 20-year-old tradition that is not only an important link in the history of Hafnarfjörður, but also the history of all rescue work in Iceland.

An operating agreement for many years to come

The municipality of Hafnarfjörður and Hafnarfjörður´s Search and Rescue Team have for years entered an operating agreement that mostly covers the operation of the company’s rescue and accident prevention center. The assumptions for Hafnarfjörður’s contribution to operations are based on actual figures from the operation of past years, which is the same model that is taken into account in the town’s support to sports clubs. A predetermined part of the contribution is allocated to youth and youth affairs, including preventive issues specified in the association’s annual report each year. In other respects, the search and rescue team spends their financial contribution from the municipality on new recruit training, training of rescuers, maintenance and operation of equipment, maintenance and training for civil protection equipment. A part of the operating agreement has also covered the team’s participation in the planning and execution of Fisherman´s Day (Sjómannadagurinn) in Hafnarfjörður, and their involvement always attracts great attention.

Graditude for the search and rescue team!

Congratulations to Hafnarfjörður´s Search and Rescue Team on your birthday and thank you very much for your contribution to the community in Hafnarfjörður and the country as a whole.