Quito firefighters explain seven-day mission limit in Venezuela

The USAR ECU-01 team from the Quito Fire Department returned to Ecuador on July 2, 2026, after completing a seven-day humanitarian mission in Venezuela. Esteban Cárdenas, head of the Quito Fire Department, explained that the mission's duration aligned with international standards and the guidelines set by the host country.

Cárdenas elaborated that USAR teams, classified by the United Nations, operate within defined timeframes. Medium-sized teams, like the one from Quito, are authorized to work for up to seven days in international emergencies, while heavier teams have a 10-day limit. This distinction is based on operational capacity, with medium teams focusing on a single infrastructure site and heavy teams capable of managing two scenarios simultaneously.

The Ecuadorian contingent arrived in Venezuela equipped for self-sufficiency, including camp facilities, food, water, and advanced technical equipment, such as search dogs and technology. Their primary objective was the rescue of living survivors. Cárdenas stressed that the team's departure was not arbitrary but followed a specific phase of the emergency response, transitioning from search and rescue to phases managed by local authorities, which may involve health risks.

Upon arrival in Caracas, the team formally requested humanitarian aid and established a reception and dispatch zone to register international teams. They then integrated into a coordination cell to determine operational sites based on information from Venezuela's Civil Protection. Cárdenas emphasized that rescuers must adhere to protocols and directives, refraining from making judgments about the host country's political or cultural situation. Back in Ecuador, the team underwent mandatory medical check-ups and psychological support before resuming their duties.