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.
“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.
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.
