History of the Humboldt
Rescue Organization (ORH - Spanish Abbreviation)
It was created in December 17th 1968, when a young group worried about the destruction of the forests and looking for adventure decided to create the Humboldt excursionist's center. Name taken from a celebrity and great naturist of the 19th century from Germany, who explore Venezuela and other South America countries.
The first office was located in Plaza Venezuela, in the capital Caracas; where the Public Building Ministry (MOP) gave the group a little office in the second floor of an abandoned house, in a little while they got the entire 2nd floor, with three bedrooms and a bathroom.
In January 10th, 1970, looking at the huge amount of lost people at the national parks, the huge number of forest fires, among others, they decided to create an emergency team within the Humboldt excursionists group.
The group was enrolled in the National Parks Division Authority of th Agriculture and Stock Ministry, under numeral 4505. Later on this organization was enrolled as part of the National Civil Defense system, becoming an active part of it, activity that is still performed at a national, and sometimes international, level.
In 1973, they observed new problems added to the existing ones, such as rise in the number of aircraft and maritime accidents, etc.
Them the organization decided to change its name, becoming the Humboldt Rescue Group (GRH).
The group kept its office in Plaza Venezuela, where the MOP zone 10 was located and donated them an entire house.
In this opportunity the organization was designated as auxiliary group of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for SAR and Accident Investigation (AIG) porpoises. Also as Venezuelan Navy Coast Guard Auxiliary group; and included within the unit aid list from the United Nations disasters relief organization; at that time the organization was enrolled in the Civil Defense from the Federal District in Caracas.
In 1988, due to technological advancement and the requirement of truly professionals within the field of search and rescue (SAR), investigation of aircraft accidents (AIG), technical publications development, and new activities, such as eco-tourism and extreme sports. The name of the organization was changed into Humboldt Rescue Organization (ORH), name that the organization actually posses. Due to the construction of the Caracas metro, the organization was moved to the Sucre County, in Miranda State, which is part of the Caracas Metropolitan area.
The organization had been working in many activities such as forest fire fighting, search and rescue (SAR) operations of lost people, maritime vessel and airships within Venezuela and other countries. It provided aid and rescue efforts in the case of disasters such as the Nicaragua earthquake in 1972, Guatemala in 1976, Argelia in 1980. Hurricanes such as David and Frederick in Dominic Island in 1980; in 1985 help was provided to Colombia when he Nevado del Ruiz volcano tragedy happened. Also, the organization has provided support to lot of botanic and scientific expeditions in different geographic areas of our country.
The organization has been developing and providing workshops, seminars, training, which have been given to the armed forces, police and law enforcement agencies, firefighters, volunteer groups, industry, etc. Training activities have been performed with the U.S. Coast Guard and the USAF and Army, also with others international SAR organizations.
Historically the activities performed by the organization are huge, given them the opportunity for the development of historical records for the country of Venezuela, such as aerial accidents, disappeared units, illicit interference acts, lost ships, maritime accidents, etc.
The ORH had received an impressive amount of recognition, awards, congratulations, insignias, distinctive, from public and private institutions, and the government at a national and international level. This proves the labor conducted by the organization through the years. For this reason we invite you to explore our history, where you can see the voluntary work that we do for the humanity.
All this is possible to the effort of the pioneers of the organization and the members, new people are always added to the organization. Our people are the real and direct reflex of this organization created with a main vision: "help to save lives".
Identification of the Organization
The GRH lemma was born in 1973, when the Humboldt rescue group (GRH) was created and one of it's members Mr. Rafael Cabrera Penelas says "it is not only important to help, but it is important also to know how to help". The people at the organization know how to help, and this is one of the basic principles of it. A way to prove it is that GRH has not lost any member when performing any activities for the organization; this is in concordance with the letter of the United Nations, which contains an axiomatic safety principle "everything that is taught and learned correctly, it would be done correctly".
The actual logotype was born in 1973, which corresponds to two mountains from the Venezuelan Cordillera mountain chain, and an airplane as a resource for search and rescue operations, its color is blue, color worn also on the shirts of the group uniform. That it's why most people liked to called us "the blues", nickname that identify our members from other parents organizations. Additional the logotype includes a white cross with the SAR initials, which was taken from the English phrase search and rescue.
The organization was created to help Venezuela and later on the world, showing the dream of the Venezuelan Liberator Simón Bolívar, being together within the country for a common purpose which is to provide help in the cases of disasters.
Enrique Martin
e-mail: sar_rescate@hotmail.com