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At SARTREX, we aim to unite paid and unpaid professionals globally through top-tier mentorship programs. Our goal is to develop a strong Search and Rescue community that excels in every mission. They come together for a 3-month exchange program, the first 2 months are online teachings, spreading theory and knowledge, and then a 2-week in-person event takes place somewhere in the world, hosted by a hosting team with SARTREX support, then we provide 2 weeks of support so participants and their organizations can absorb the knowledge.
Our Journey
“The SARTREX idea didn't just pop out of thin air; it got its roots from a fascinating experience with its wildland firefighting sibling, 'WTREX.' Picture this: a trip to South Africa in 2023 that left our founder, utterly inspired by the WTREX concept."
The lightbulb moment happened when he realized there was a massive gap waiting to be filled in the search and rescue community. unity, training and development is massively needed in the search and rescue community to improve our capabilities, exchange knowledge, form long-lasting bonds and friendships, to save lives.
Global Community
It's like a global family coming together, with mentors and mentees from all corners of the world converging to exchange the essential skill set of prescribed fire. The goal? To unite under a common purpose, swap knowledge and skills, and forge lasting connections among key individuals in the international wildland firefighting community. It's not just about fighting fires; it's about building a network, sharing experiences, and creating bonds that withstand the test of time.
This exact thing is needed as well in the search and rescue community, and so the idea of SARTREX International Search and Rescue training exchange was born, now with the great support of The National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), The Insititute of Search and Technical Rescue and Emhance International Responder Development.
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Meet Our Team!
The People That Make The Difference
Our dedicated team comprises experienced (volunteer) professionals who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise with the next generation of search and rescue specialists.
Robin van Bruggen
Founder - Initiator SARTREX
NASAR Netherlands Country Coordinator / Lead Evaluator
Ground SAR / SARTECH 1
Darryl Asford
SARTREX Board of Directors
Drone Program Lead / Rope Rescue
International SARTREX Mentor
Fransico Dacosta
SARTREX Volunteer Content Creator
Remote Documentation & Presentation Development Support
Documentation Proof Reader
Frequently asked questions
Lead the Way: UNITE - TRAIN - DEVELOP
Our Mission:
A Clear Path Towards Success
Our mission is to provide top-quality education, empower our students to achieve their full potential, and foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment. We are dedicated to inspiring a passion for lifelong learning and preparing our students to thrive in a diverse and evolving world. After the exchange participants will have multiple certifications, everlasting connections and developed new oppertunities to rescue those in need of help. “So that Others May Live”