Civil Protection volunteers, known as the S.P.I.D.E.R. team (Specialised Personnel in Disaster and Emergency Response) are holding a training exercise in urban search and rescue techniques.

Their focus is on preparedness to search for and rescue persons who may be trapped under rubble caused by collapsed structures in the event of a major disaster, such as an earthquake.

This exercise - the second one this year - is taking place at the ex-Ħal Ferħ complex, where a scenario has been specifically set up for this purpose.

Also taking part in the exercise are policemen who will be testing new human radar equipment which can detect people buried alive in rocky material.

The methods used in the exercise are in line with international search and rescue guidelines adopted by most of the agencies that operate in this field and in the field of humanitarian assistance programmes.

The civil protecttion volunteers, from different walks of life, are trained in different sections of the department such as the fire stations, diving section, communications and search and rescue.

The department also works closely with all non-government and international organisations in the field of disaster reduction and response. Various organisations have worked closely with the CPD during mass gathering events, such as the visit of H.H. Pope Benedict XVI and the Isle of MTV concert.

The department recently signed an agreement with the Comune of Badolato in the Region of Calabria and the Italian Civil Protection operational group Edelweiss to conduct training in both countries.

Speaking during a brief visit at the site of the exercise, Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici stressed the importance of keeping all personnel trained to deal with emergency situations and in a constant state of readiness. He thanked all the S.P.I.D.E.R. volunteers involved in this exercise as well as Island Hotels Group Managing Director Winston J. Zahra for providing the site where the exercise is taking place.