Aberdeen and Dundee firefighters join international effort
The search and rescue team are in Morocco following devastating earthquakes
Two firefighters from North East Scotland have left to help with rescue efforts in Morocco following last weeks earthquake.
Crew Commander Gary Carroll, based in Portlethen, and Watch Commander Gavin Brown, based in Dundee, have left for North Africa as part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team (ISAR).
They're joined by specialist search dog Coorie, who is on her first deployment since graduating earlier this year from a training and assessment course provided by the National Fire Chiefs Council.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) trio will work in a UK team of 62 to deliver aid and search collapsed structures throughout the earthquake struck country.
On Friday an earthquake hit central Morocco killing thousands and destroying villages.
There is now an international effort to help find survivors under the rubble.
SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Bruce Farquharson is the UK ISAR Team Manager in Scotland.
He said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the devasting earthquake in Morocco and upon arrival there our team will be ready to join the wider effort to help as many people as they can with their specialist skills.
“Crew Commander Carroll and Watch Commander Brown will of course now be supported by Coorie who will be able to provide additional help to them, the UK ISAR team and the emergency services already in place in Morocco."
This is the second time in 2023 that SFRS has deployed firefighters to a disaster zone.
In February, Watch Commander John Aitchison, Crew Commander Steven Adams and Firefighters Tony Armstrong and Keith Gauld were part of the operation in Turkey.
The UK ISAR team responds primarily to overseas urban search and rescue emergencies on behalf of the UK Government.