Pathfinder Group

Initial reconnaissance and deployment – difficult to access areas

The Rapid Reaction Group of Rescue Global

Pathfinder Groups is activated in the event of a call for assistance being approved to a crisis or disaster area where deployment is difficult due to:

• Lack of obvious / easy landing areas, runways or ports
• Disruption of local roads and transport arteries
• Lack of local power, electricity, communications and critical infrastructure
• Ongoing local disruption due to extreme weather (floods, winds etc), critical events (natural such as aftershocks, man made such as conflict or localized terrorist action)
• Lack of, or restricted attendance / resources of local emergency services
• Lack or, delay to international rescue organizations, due to the above factors

Roles and responsibilities of Pathfinder Group, include:

Deployment timings

• With 4 hours of the call for assistance being confirmed and a response approved by Gold Command, rendezvous of assigned Pathfinder Group Team members at the departure points (New York, London, Dubai, Hong Kong, wherever they may be…)
• Within 8 hours, departure of Pathfinder Group, to the deployment area
• Within 20 hours or less, arrival at the deployment area

Deployment methods

• Over land, from nearest viable entry point, close to or remote from the deployment area
• By sea, from nearest viable port or shore point, close to or remote from the deployment area
• By air, either small fixed wing aircraft, helicopter or parachute, depending upon available landing areas, risk and time factors

Immediate taskings

• Set up initial base of operations, including rally area for SAR Ground, local communications, satellite link for international communications, localised shelter, food, water and electricity supply. Pathfinder Group is totally self sustaining, placing no further demands on the local area.
• Reconnaissance of the deployment area, to assess damage, gauge response resource needs, identify landing areas and routes to the deployment area(s). Reconnaissance is conducted on foot, with rigid inflatable boats, and unmanned aerial drones (fixed wing and rotary types) providing live video feed to the operators at base camp, enabling rapid and accurate mapping of the deployment area.
• Conduct limited (snatch) rescues of persons, where any delay would result in certain death.
• Coordination of the arrival of the Rescue Global SAR Group, which will arrive once Pathfinder Group has advised regarding best method of deployment, travel to the deployment area, and likely mission demands – resource needs.
• Liaison with local, national and international rescue teams, providing on site intelligence, mapping and communications support to all
• Provide Team Leaders to the Rescue Global SAR Group Team once they arrive.
• Provide Team Leaders, and / or guidance and support to local and national groups (emergency services, military and civil groups) to make best use of local resources.