RESPONSE behind the scenes: Search and rescue in hard-to-reach areas
Search and rescue operations in mountainous terrain leave no room for hesitation.
The environment is demanding, conditions change quickly, and decisions must be taken on the spot.
This is exactly what teams from Bulgaria and Serbia are preparing for within the strategic project “RESPONSE”, funded under the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria–Serbia Programme 2021–2027.
From 1 to 4 July 2025, a joint Search and Rescue (SAR) training was held in Zaječar, Serbia, focusing on operations in open spaces and hard-to-reach areas .
After a brief introductory session, the teams moved to the field – to the Rtanj mountain area.
There, the training was no longer theoretical.
The work involved moving through complex terrain, organising rescue operations, and coordinating between different teams in real time. Rope systems, alpine equipment, and off-road vehicles were used, while drones supported observation and the localisation of “casualties” .
Each task required quick orientation, efficient use of resources, and the ability to work under pressure – exactly as in a real rescue operation.
But some of the most important moments happened between the exercises.
Teams paused to review their actions, discuss what worked, and identify areas for improvement. In this way, the training became more than practice – it turned into a process of learning through experience and sharing knowledge between partners from both sides of the border .
This is where something less visible is built – trust.
Because in real situations, response depends not only on equipment, but on how well teams know each other and how effectively they can work together.
The training in Zaječar is another step in this direction – better preparation, stronger coordination, and more confident action in conditions where every minute matters .
In the next publications of the “RESPONSE behind the scenes” series, we will show how this preparation extends to volunteers, who are increasingly part of operations on the ground.
