How did RescueNet start?

RescueNet was started in the United States by Brett Harwood, a highly trained paramedic who had deployed into many disasters. Brett set up RescueNet as a means through which volunteers could be trained and rapidly deployed into disaster situations.

In 1999, after establishing RescueNet in Australia, Brett retired from his role to pursue other interests.

What is the aim of RescueNet?

RescueNet is an initiative to rapidly deploy professionally trained teams of loving, caring volunteers, to enter disasters within a 24-48 hour period, in order to help stabilise effected areas, for approximately a 10 day to 4 week period.

Is RescueNet a not for profit organization?

By itself, no; but RescueNet is a division of the Australian Relief & Mercy Services (ARMS), which is both a registered charity, and an aid and development organization. All RescueNet finances are audited as part of the ARMS annual audit. Donations to RescueNet through ARMS are tax deductible in the United States and Canada, to find out more click here https://arms.org.au/payment.asp. RescueNet is a trademark of Australian Relief & Mercy Services Ltd

Are there any prerequisites needed to train with RescueNet?

People often ask "Do I need any prior medical or other training before participating in this course?" Yes, you do need to have a current First Aid certificate and you must have successfully completed a DTS but beyond that, you will learn more than enough during the course to deploy with us, under supervision.

This therefore opens the way for all those who have previously completed a DTS to be actively engaged in RescueNet!

How can I then deploy with RescueNet?

Once the DTS has been successfully completed, each person is then required to successfully complete a RescueNet training course Once that has been completed, the participant is then free to apply to join the RescueNet team. It is important to note that just because people complete the full RescueNet course, they are not automatically invited into team membership. Due to the rigorous and sometimes dangerous activities and, the governmental, cultural, ethnical, and religious sensitivities that can be involved in any given deployment, each application is carefully discussed and prayed over.

Once accepted, each team member is issued with their official team ID and encouraged to purchase their personal protective equipment (PPE). Once purchased, their name is placed on a list of deployable personnel and they are contacted to deploy as the need arises.

What are the circumstances that lead up to a deployment? and who has to deploy?

A deployment can occur once a disaster overwhelms a nation's existing resources to deal with that event - thereby causing that nation to call for international assistance.

Every day RescueNet workers are monitoring various websites and media outlets for the occurrence of disasters around the world. Once the affected nation calls for assistance, the National RescueNet Director and the National RescueNet Coordinator confer and each team member is contacted by the National Coordinator for their individual availability to deploy.

Each member has the right to decline any given deployment, for any reason and, each member has the right to stipulate their individual length of deployment.

Once a team has been assigned, and it is agreed by the RescueNet Board that the deployment should proceed, each member is asked to assemble to a port of departure (POD) where they are given final instructions, re-familiarised with equipment and then deployed to the event.

If I am accepted onto the international RescueNet Team, what costs are involved?

Your PPE will cost you around $2,000.00 - which includes uniform, bags, helmet, face mask, torches, etc. Thereafter, each deployment will cost an average $3,000.00 - including airfares, taxes, ground fees, food, etc.

We are currently having some good success with raising corporate sponsorship, so we are hoping these fees will be reduced more and more as time goes on.

Does RescueNet pay its workers?

No. Everyone who deploys with RescueNet is a volunteer. RescueNet team members pay for the costs of their own training, the costs of their deployment, and the cost of their own PPE. The RescueNet Board are however trying to raise an amount to assist members with their PPE and deployment costs.

How much training do RescueNet members have to do?

Following the two week training course, RescueNet members are required to seek further training. On the basis that "if you don't use it, you'll lose it", we strongly encourage each team member to be actively engaged in a local emergency service agency of their choosing, to enable their skills to be further enhanced. Also, that way once they are deployed, each member's skills are up to date.