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  • Grand Hospitaller Visits Search and Rescue Unit as Part of Historic 5th Anniversary

    Grand Hospitaller Visits Search and Rescue Unit as Part of Historic 5th Anniversary

    Est. 2021 · Five Years of Service

    From the training field to the gala table: one day that captured half a decade of saving lives.

    By Yazan Geblawi, Press Officer · [14/10/2026]

    The Search & Rescue (SAR) Unit of the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (MASMOM) marked a monumental chapter in its operational journey, formally hosting H.E. Dr. Josef D. Blotz, Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

    The visit coincided with the Unit’s 5th Anniversary, celebrating half a decade of emergency response excellence, rigorous alignment with international standards, and voluntary devotion to saving lives.

    Part I · Morning

    Live Field Capabilities: Simulated Structural Collapse

    Unit Leader Simon Briffa with H.E. Dr. Josef D. Blotz
    Unit Leader Simon Briffa welcomes H.E. the Grand Hospitaller

    Proceedings began in the morning with the official arrival of H.E. the Grand Hospitaller. To give His Excellency a realistic assessment of the team’s operational readiness, the Unit executed a live disaster-response simulation built around complex scenarios, demonstrating the seamless, multi-disciplinary integration of its core technical pillars.

    01 · Canine

    An obedience session opened the display, followed by the Human Remains Detection (HRD) team, taking imprinting exercises through to operational readiness.

    02 · Tracking & Air-Scent

    The Tracking Team showed precision article work and a short operational track, leading into two technical air-scenting searches inside challenging subterranean tunnels.

    03 · Medical

    Volunteer responders, joined by His Excellency himself, stabilised a simulated casualty presenting with a head injury and broken legs.

    A volunteer prepares a rescue extrication device with the visiting guest
    A volunteer walks through the Unit’s rescue and extrication equipment
    Stabilising a simulated casualty during the medical scenario
    H.E. The Grand Hospitaller actively participating in a simulation
    The Unit’s technical pillars in action during the morning simulation

    04 · Drone, Tech & Command

    The technical display concluded with the Drone & Tech Team’s aerial reconnaissance capabilities and a briefing on the Unit’s custom-built Incident Management System for real-time operational coordination.

    SAR Unit volunteers, canines and guests with rescue equipment
    Search & Rescue Unit with H.E. the Grand Hospitaller and MASMOM Hospitaller Dame Karen Miller

    Part II · Midday

    Strategic Briefing

    After a brief midday transition, the focus shifted from field operations to the Unit’s ongoing initiatives and future development plans. As Minister of Health and International Cooperation of the Sovereign Order, His Excellency engaged deeply with these plans.

    His Excellency reaffirmed the Order’s mission: unlike any NGO, it transcends physical aid, embracing a holistic understanding of the motto “assistance to the poor”. One in which spiritual prayer and care work hand in hand with saving lives.

    A Token of Recognition

    As a token of recognition, H.E. the Grand Hospitaller presented the Unit with a bronze commemorative medal of the Sovereign Order of Malta, depicts Alessandro Algardi’s Baroque sculpture The Baptism of Christ (c. 1650), honouring St John the Baptist, the Order’s patron saint, and the spirit of faith and service the Unit carries forward today.

    Its reverse bears the Order’s coat of arms and the inscription “Sacra Domus Hospitalis S. Iohannis Hierosolymitani” (the Sacred House of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem), the Order’s original name.

    Unit Leader Simon Briffa receives a commemorative medal from H.E. the Grand Hospitaller

    Part III · Evening

    A Milestone Evening: The 5th Anniversary Gala Dinner

    The day culminated at The Xara Lodge, where members, benefactors and distinguished guests gathered for the 5th Anniversary Gala Dinner of the Search & Rescue Unit. An elegant welcome reception gave attendees a moment to reflect on the immense growth the Unit has achieved since its establishment in 2021.

    Guests gather at the welcome reception
    Guests take their seats for the gala dinner
    The MASMOM President, H.E. Dr. Michael Grech addresses guests at The Xara Lodge

    Framed by the centuries-old Hospitaller ethos of chivalric service, the formal dinner served both as an acknowledgement of past sacrifices and as a pledge toward future expansion. A series of addresses traced the Unit’s journey from its first deployments to the specialised, internationally aligned corps it is today.

    The Noble Baroncino Michael Trapani Galea Feriol addresses the gala dinner
    The Noble Baroncino Michael Trapani Galea Feriol, Unit President
    Unit Leader Simon Briffa addresses the gala dinner
    Simon Briffa, Unit Leader
    The Very Rev. Mgr Brendan Gatt addresses the gala dinner
    MASMOM Princial Chaplain, The Very Rev. Mgr Brendan Gatt

    In his address, the Grand Hospitaller extended his profound gratitude to the volunteers of the Maltese Association. He emphasised that the elite technical capabilities witnessed on the training field mirror the true, timeless heart of the Order: professionalism joined with an unyielding commitment to serving those in their darkest hours.

    “Prayer and rescue, one mission.”

    The Order’s holistic mission, reaffirmed by H.E. the Grand Hospitaller
    Members, benefactors and guests raise a toast to five years of service

    Five years on, the Unit’s mission remains unchanged: to be there for those in their darkest hours.

    Support the next five years
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  • Search and Rescue Unit Signs Statue

    Search and Rescue Unit Signs Statue

    A formal statute signing and new governance structure mark a defining milestone for the Unit’s next chapter of service.

    By Yazan Geblawi, Press Officer
    02/09/2026

    The Search & Rescue Unit of the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (MASMOM) entered a defining new chapter with the formal signing of its official organisational statute and the unveiling of its newly appointed governance structure.

    Framed by a centuries-old commitment to humanitarian service, this foundational milestone establishes a formalised framework focused on operational growth, specialised technical training, and community resilience. The proceedings concluded with a comprehensive team-building forum designed to synchronise the unit’s core values with the highly unpredictable demands of modern emergency response.

    The Signing of the Statute

    A monumental moment at our 5-year mark

    The gathering carried the distinct weight of a monumental turning point for the volunteer corps. The ratification of the statute transforms years of frontline dedication into a structured, permanent institution answerable to the competent authority of MASMOM.

    Every signature inscribed onto the document bridged institutional heritage with future operational capability. The signing explicitly binds the unit to the traditional spiritual and humanitarian pillars of the Order: Tuitio Fidei (defence of the faith) and Obsequium Pauperum (service to the poor and suffering). By legally and operationally consolidating its identity, this framework secures a permanent foundation upon which all future life-saving interventions will be organised.

    Formal signing of the official organizational statute
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    “Tuitio Fidei (defence of the faith) and Obsequium Pauperum (service to the poor and suffering)“

    The MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

    Following the formal signatures, the newly introduced SAR Management outlined its roadmap in the presence of MASMOM President H.E. Michael Grech. Led jointly by Unit President Michael Trapani Galea Feriol and Unit Leader Simon Briffa, the administration was officially announced for a four-year term spanning 2026–2030. The leadership presented a multidisciplinary vision across highly specialised management sectors:

    • Operations & Command: Directed by the Unit Leader and Search Manager, focusing on streamlined deployment protocols and legal representation.
    • Administration & Finance: Overseen by the Secretary General and Treasurer to guarantee strict resource accountability and legal compliance.
    • Medical & Logistics Support: Managed by the Medical and Logistics branches to optimise rapid field deployment and equipment readiness.
    • Infrastructure & Spirit: Led by the Administrative Manager and the Principal Chaplain to ensure all operations align with the Catholic identity and spiritual values of the Order.

    The collective briefings showcased a modern, highly regulated emergency unit, one that balances the rigid procedural needs of crisis management with active operational flexibility.

    Presentation of the Search & Tech tactical roadmap

    Growth, Learning, and Community
    At the core of the newly ratified statute is an explicit commitment to institutional objectives: to grow internal capability, to master advanced rescue methodologies, and to deliver unwavering support to the public. Operational focus on the recruitment, training, and deployment of specialized canines and their handlers. This specialised canine focus ensures that the team operates at the absolute vanguard of technical search operations.

    Through collaborative, problem-solving workshops, the team deconstructed what Obsequium Pauperum truly meant in the field today. Volunteers and management worked side-by-side to define the practical pathways required to achieve these ideals: maintaining clear communication, leading with empathy and respect, and showing the collective initiative and honesty needed to serve those most in need. The day closed not just with a signed document, but with a unified corps freshly realigned to its core purpose of selfless service.

  • How the Search and Rescue Unit of the Order of Malta Serves the Community

    How the Search and Rescue Unit of the Order of Malta Serves the Community

    Responding with Purpose

    The Search & Rescue Unit – Order of Malta exists to serve people in moments of need with professionalism, compassion, and readiness. Our team supports the community through organized response efforts, public service, volunteer commitment, and ongoing training that helps members act effectively when every second matters.

    As a mission-driven organization, we bring together individuals who are committed to practical service and strong teamwork. From public-facing outreach to internal member development, our work is built on discipline, preparedness, and a shared desire to help others.

    What We Do

    • Support search and rescue activities with trained volunteers and coordinated response
    • Promote community awareness through public updates, events, and outreach
    • Develop members through resources, training materials, and certification opportunities
    • Strengthen operations through fundraising projects and donor support

    Why Community Support Matters

    Effective search and rescue work depends on more than emergency response alone. It requires equipment, training, planning, and a strong network of supporters who believe in the value of service. Every volunteer, donor, and community partner helps make that mission stronger.

    Service is strongest when preparation, teamwork, and compassion come together.

    Join the Mission

    Whether you are interested in joining the team, following our latest news, supporting current projects, or contributing through donations, this website is designed to keep you connected to our work. We invite you to explore our updates, learn more about our mission, and stand with us as we continue serving the community.

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