Purpose
QRAT exists to relieve the suffering and helplessness of:
- Persons lost in remote or wilderness areas - by finding them, rendering them safe, and returning them to safety.
- Despondent and at-risk persons in remote or wilderness areas - by finding them, rendering them safe, and returning them to safety. This work makes up the greater part of QRAT's tasking.
- The families of the missing - by returning their people to them. Where a person is found deceased, by providing the certainty that families otherwise never receive.
- Victims of natural disaster - by supporting communications, guiding emergency services to stranded persons, and returning them to safety.
- Those persons who have served or are serving in defence forces or emergency services, and are victims of the health issues associated with such service, by transitioning veterans through supported volunteer search and rescue community service.
Our Role
QRAT was established around a simple requirement: provide capable, mobile personnel who can continue operating when a search moves away from roads, communications and readily accessible terrain.
The organisation combines traditional field skills with modern search technology, mapping, communications, and remotely piloted aircraft.
QRAT's primary operational focus is missing-person search and rescue, with additional capability to support emergency operations and natural-disaster response where its personnel and equipment are suited to the task.
Volunteer Service
QRAT is built around trained volunteers.
Members are working professionals, drawn largely from Defence and emergency services backgrounds, holding qualifications in communications, navigation, vertical mobility and rescue, advanced tracking, advanced first aid, briefing and debriefing, safety management, and emergency services doctrine.
Members maintain the field skills, equipment, and physical capability required for remote-area operations through regular training and exercises.
The organisation also provides an opportunity for current and former defence and emergency-services personnel to apply relevant skills in continued service to the community - working in a team, on real tasks, with people who understand the background.
Our Principles
Evidence before assumption.
Search decisions should be based on observable information and clearly identified uncertainty.
Self-sufficiency.
Teams should minimise the logistical burden placed on the requesting agency.
Integration.
QRAT exists to strengthen a coordinated emergency response, not duplicate it.
Safety.
No task takes precedence over maintaining safe operating conditions for personnel.
Service.
The objective is simple: assist in finding people and returning them to safety.
The Organisation
Queensland Remote Area Tracking Incorporated has operated as an incorporated entity since 2017.
QRAT is a registered Australian charity and Public Benevolent Institution and is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient.
ABN 98 937 271 866
QRAT's operations are supported by ESA Alpha Rho Mackay, Scope Industries, Anglo American, Ergon Energy, Mackay Regional Council, Mirani Car Club, Sunshine Coast Council, the Community Gaming Development Fund, Crossfire Australia, and SORD Australia.