Reykjavík Grapevine - Jun 2021, Page 23

LIFE IN PICTURES
The Guardians of The
Geldin!adalir Words & Photos: John Pearson
Iceland’s civil defence relies
heavily on local search and res-
cue (SAR) teams, highly-trained
volunteers who undertake a huge
range of tasks from searching
for missing people to mountain
rescue and disaster response.
They’ve been particularly busy
these past few months, helping
visitors at the ever-shifting and
potentially dangerous volcano
site in Reykjanes. The Grapevine
joined a team from Kópavogur
for an evening patrol, just before
the closure of the site.
Visitors are always happy to see SAR on siteSAR are here to help, not to enforce
Davi" Metta
MaríaArnar
The hike to site
The Kópavogur team
and a fiery cone An end-of-shi# BBQ has become a team tradition
The patrol leaves the site at 2300,
but visitors are welcome to stay
SAR chat with visitors and o$er advice