Iceland is quite unique when it comes to emergency service. Landsbjörg (ICE-SAR), which recently celebrated its 80th anniversary, is a national federation of 220 search and rescue teams and accident prevention divisions. Our entire emergency network relies on volunteers from all over the country.

This squad of volunteers may include the person sitting next to you on the bus, the guy fixing your computer, a woman whose lecture you attended at university, your child’s teacher or even your GP.

If they’re needed, they will leave their posts and do whatever needs to be done, whether it involves searching for a missing person in the highlands, a crashed airplane or saving a sinking ship. And their employers will accept their absence because this network of volunteers is what the entire nation relies on in case of emergency.

I signed up myself eight years ago when living in the village of Vík (pop. 300) on the south coast. It was partially a decision based on lack of social life in the village but also because I was curious and keen on learning what to do in an hour of need. Besides, what can be more terrifying than feeling useless when disaster strikes?

As a rookie I was informed about the general functions of ICE-SAR and took the basic courses; first-aid, advanced first-aid, map reading, radio communication, tracking and searching and gearing-up for traveling in the highlands.

Then experienced members showed me the ropes, literally. I had to learn how to tie various knots, how the dirt-bikes and rubber dinghies were operated, rock climbing and rappelling.

There was much to learn but I enjoyed everything about it. We would often go and practice during weekends, which was a great excuse to be outdoors and travel in our beautiful highlands. Every summer we had a family camping trip and an annual ball in winter, so this team also provided friendship and social life.

The search and rescue (SAR) squad in Vík (Björgunarsveitin Víkverji) has one great concern, though. The volcano Katla lurks underneath the ice of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, just north of the village, and according to scientists, there has been regular activity in the area for the past decade. They assume that Katla will erupt almost any day now.

Although the village isn’t in much danger from the eruption itself, the part of the village that is closest to the sea, basically on the beach, may be in jeopardy. The eruption will cause massive melting of ice and a huge flood coming down either to the east or west of Vík, which can cause a tidal wave wiping out half of the village, including the school.

So in case of an eruption, or indications that an eruption is about to start, the SAR squad in Vík will be prepared to evacuate half the village and transport people to safe areas. This is quite a task but thanks to good organizing, planning and preparation, we think we can carry this out in less than 20 minutes. The villagers and especially the school authorities have practiced evacuation regularly, so hopefully, everything will go smoothly when the time comes.

I’ve participated in many of these drills, but not since I moved to Reykjavík in 2002. I’m still a member of the SAR squad, though, and will be notified as soon as something happens. Like other squad members who originally come from Vík and the surrounding area but live in Reykjavík, I’m determined to drop everything and speed “home” if Katla shows any signs of erupting.

There is simply no way I’m going to be stuck here in the city and miss a once-in-every-100-years volcanic eruption, affecting my local area and my people! Especially if I can be of any use.

So don’t be surprised if I’ve disappeared when you turn around to ask me about the volcanic activity near Vík, which you just heard about in the news.

IRB – ingibjorgrosa@gmail.com

Ingibjörg is filling in for Bjarni who will be away for a few weeks.