Hafdís Einarsdóttir is a member of Skagfirðingasveit, a mother of three, and a wife. She has served the team in many different roles. She is currently the unit treasurer, and has previously served as chair, secretary, and board member. In total, she has been part of the unit’s board work for around ten years.

She has also served for four years on the board of Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg, the national association of Icelandic search and rescue teams.

What brought you into search and rescue?

I joined the rescue team when I was finishing my first master’s degree. I could see that I would finally have time to give something back to the community, and I chose search and rescue.

I had always wanted to join, but for a long time I did not think I could. I thought everyone in a rescue team had to be a hero, able to do everything, especially the dangerous things.

What do you do in the team?

I can take part in most kinds of rescue work, but sea rescue is probably not my strongest area. There are others in the team who are better at that, and I would always let them go ahead of me on that kind of callout.

What do you enjoy most?

I enjoy the large events where volunteers from all over Iceland come together. We meet people from other teams, talk, learn from each other, and build connections. Trips abroad have also been very educational.

What do people misunderstand about rescue work?

That everyone has to be a hero.

We need all kinds of people in search and rescue. We need people who can go into difficult conditions, but we also need people who can make sandwiches, organize things, raise funds, support the team, and keep everything moving.

What callout has stayed with you?

My first serious callout has stayed with me. We went to Fljótshlíð in South Iceland to search for a missing woman. Our rescue team brought both searchers on foot and horses. We slept in the vehicle on site, and it was a very large operation.

What does teamwork mean to you?

Teamwork means that no one does anything alone. You do not achieve much that way.

The more diverse the backgrounds, knowledge, and experience in the group, the stronger the result becomes.

Why does community support matter?

We could not do this without the support we receive.

We could not respond to callouts, train, buy our equipment, or keep the team ready without the support of people in Iceland.

— Hafdís Einarsdóttir