Send NZ rescuers to Pakistan, say NZ First

New Zealand should send its Fire Service urban search-and-rescue team to Pakistan to look for earthquake survivors trapped in rubble, says NZ First. But the Government has not considered the idea.

A spokeswoman for Mark Burton, the Minister in Charge of the Fire Service Commission, said the idea had not been discussed and there had been no advice from commission chairwoman Dame Margaret Bazley suggesting it.

NZ First MP Ron Mark said Prime Minister Helen Clark should give the word and get the team on an aircraft.

"This is an ideal opportunity for them to gain that experience and at the same time play a positive role in an international relief effort. We may one day be glad of the experience they gain, right here at home."

The Fire Service national manager of special operations, Jim Stuart-Black, said it had three teams - in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch - each of 50 to 60 people. They included staff from other agencies such as St John and consulting engineer firms.

When the United Nations called for rescue assistance after the earthquake, it was for Europe and countries close to Pakistan. Rescue aid dispatched includes eight helicopters from the United States with four more on the way, a 46-member Malaysian search-and-rescue team, and specialist rescue teams from Britain, France, China, Turkey and Singapore.

Mr Stuart-Black said there had been no global request for help, but the service teams would be ready if the Government decided they should go.

The Government has pledged $750,000 to the relief effort.