Iceland is an island in the North Atlantic ocean, 103,000 km2 in size. The population is 285,000. The landscape is magnificent, with spectacular wilderness and the largest glaciers in Europe. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, extreme weather and snow avalanches are part of what Icelanders have to deal with. Unlike most countries, there is no army in Iceland, and the Icelandic Coast Guard is small, with only a few ships and helicopters.

Independent associations in Iceland have taken on a particularly extensive role in prevention and rescue work and benefit from great trust, due to their initiative and energetic performance/results. 220 rescue teams, accident prevention divisions and youth sections operate under the banner ICE-SAR. Their joint mission is to save human lives and valuables and to prevent accidents. Thousands of volunteers dedicate themselves to accident prevention and are always available, night and day, all year round.

The origins of ICE-SAR can be traced to 1918, when the first rescue team was established in the Westman Islands. At the association’s Historical and Relics Museum in Garður, the history of the Icelandic rescue and prevention service is recorded from the beginning of the last century. Tools and instruments used since that time can be seen there, and insight can be gleaned into the procedures used by rescue teams, along with their accomplishments, since the association started.

The first rescue ship, the first rescue helicopter, pioneers in traffic safety matters, the Ships Reporting Duty and the Maritime Safety and Survival Training Centre are only a few of the impressive accomplishments that ICE-SAR and its parent associations have achieved – for the benefit of all Icelanders.

The president of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, is the patron of ICE-SAR.

The rescue teams of ICE-SAR number about 100, within which there are over 3000 people who are always available when needed. This level of professionalism that characterizes the work of the Icelandic rescue teams has few parallels and has aroused attention worldwide.
The specialist training previously undertaken by particular rescue groups has resulted in considerable specialist knowledge of the various conditions that are known to occur, both at sea and on land. ICE-SAR seeks specialist knowledge far and wide, as much within Iceland as overseas.

All work of the rescue teams is done on a volunteer basis. Rescue team volunteers undertake thousands of hours of rescue work each year in call outs, training exercises and fundraising.  

Icelanders coexist with many types of danger and not a few have lost their lives as a result of volcanic eruptions, avalanches, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

The ICE-SAR rescue teams have built up knowledge and experience to allow them to react quickly to all the dangers that beset and threaten inhabited areas or travellers in the country.

A powerful choice of equipment, targeted training and educational work, alongside the efficient organization of the National SAR Command and Area SAR Commands, ensures a rapid response to danger and a professional response at the location.

Because of their work, Icelandic rescue teams must train in the most difficult conditions and in challenging weather.

Frequent ship losses, together with the tragic deaths of fishermen, marked the start of the work of ICE-SAR. Many of the association’s rescue teams on the coast are specially trained to search and rescue, both at sea and along the coast of Iceland. Around 150 Lifeboats of all sizes and makes are always ready for use, equipped with tough, well-trained crews.

ICE-SAR runs the well-equipped rescue cooridination station MRCC Costal, in conjunction with the Ships Reporting Duty that was started with the assistance of ICE-SAR in 1968. The association bears responsibility for the administration of search and rescue procedures along the coast and in the adjoining sea.  

Within ICE-SAR there are about 70 accident prevention divisions, whose principle aim is to prevent major and minor accidents. Powerful educational and publishing work characterizes their operations, along with various projects, both regionally-based and in cooperation with others countrywide. An extensive range of issues is often involved here, such as traffic safety and safety of children.

In many areas of the country the accident prevention divisions offer extensive support to the rescue teams, assisting them with fund-raising and providing various kinds of support in call outs and other procedures.


For a number of years, Icelandic children have received guidance from ICE-SAR on the correct use of bicycle helmets.  

Within the youth sector of ICE-SAR, many teenagers have found their longing for action channelled into healthy, interesting and uplifting work.

There are 35 youth sections that work in conjunction with the association’s rescue teams all over the country. In these, teenagers become acquainted with the work of the rescue and accident prevention teams. They get the opportunity of travelling to different parts of the country and at the same time acquire an insight into the best ways of protecting oneself from the dangers inherent in Icelandic nature.

ICE-SAR has had good collaboration with the Icelandic Boy and Girl Scout Association and other youth associations on the development of a robust youth programme.

Education has always played an important role in the work of ICE-SAR, “to lock the stable door before the horse has bolted”.

The Maritime Safety and Survival Training Centre was founded by ICE-SAR in 1985. According to national law, the plan is for all seafarers to attend courses there. The knowledge imparted by the centre has meant that the number of serious accidents at sea has seriously decreased in recent years and has now become much less frequent. Today the school is working at developing a safety control system for fishing vessels.

The Icelandic Rescue School was founded in 1977 and has built up a highly targeted educational programme for rescue team members. A travelling education set-up is involved, and rescue team members can take courses to reach three levels of training. Courses designed for the general public and companies have become a rapidly growing part of the work of the school in recent years.

Further information on the operations of the Icelandic Rescue School and other aspects concerning the work of ICE-SAR can be found on the association’s home page at www.landsbjorg.is.