Reykjavík rescue conference opens with Ukraine’s 112
Iceland Review and Daily Northern (citing mbl.is) report that Rescue 2026 (Björgun) — ICE-SAR’s 18th international search-and-rescue conference — runs 16–18 October at Harpa concert hall in Reykjavík. About a thousand people attended the opening; the programme lists nearly 60 talks, workshops and an equipment exhibition outside Harpa.
Iceland Review says the opening keynote is by Leonid Tymchenko, a former Ukrainian deputy interior minister responsible for the 112 emergency service. His topic is how Ukraine’s unified emergency number has adapted under wartime conditions. Also listed on the opening programme are Iceland’s President Halla Tómasdóttir, Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir and ICE-SAR Chair Borghildur Fjóla Kristjánsdóttir.
Castlegar News (Black Press) reports that speakers include Duane Tresnich, search manager of Canada’s volunteer Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR). He left for Reykjavík on 14 October to talk about the link between search-and-rescue work and social media. Tresnich has 15 years with COSAR, about six as search manager, and more than 325 tasks in his volunteer career. Teams from more than 25 countries are at the conference.
Separately, Iceland Review reports that on 16 October Iceland’s government and ICE-SAR signed a declaration of intent to support three more rescue vessels — bringing the planned fleet renewal to thirteen. Eight new vessels have already arrived and a ninth is under construction for Neskaupstaður; the state has covered about half the cost of each. The deal depends on a bill that would let the Fisheries Project Fund finance maritime SAR equipment. Signatories include the ICE-SAR chair and ministers Hanna Katrín Friðriksson and Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir.
Sources: Iceland Review — Ukraine’s wartime emergency lessons at Rescue 2026Castlegar News — Central Okanagan SAR manager to speak in IcelandIceland Review — Iceland signs declaration for three more rescue vesselsDaily Northern — Harpa hosts search and rescue conference (~1000)
Context
Rescue conferences often end in shared lessons and handshakes. Here a paper trail about concrete boats appeared in parallel: while the hall talks social media and wartime 112, the table holds a declaration for the final three vessels for coastal teams. A rare case of an “international forum” leaving a local mark on an island nation’s fleet.