The INSARAG IEC/R Leadership Course was held in Doha, Qatar, from 13 to 16 January 2025, hosted by the Qatar team at Lekhwiya Centre. This was the third course of its kind, following those held in Oman (2020) and The Netherlands (2023). The course aims to provide in-depth knowledge of the IEC/R process for individuals preparing to take on leadership roles, including Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, Classifiers, Mentors, and representatives of the INSARAG Secretariat.
The course was facilitated by members of the INSARAG Training Working Group, alongside other experts, and brought together 22 participants from around the world.
Over four days, the course focused on key topics such as the Roles and Responsibilities of leadership positions, Negotiation Skills, Exercise Design, Checklist, and Exercise Site Analysis. Knowledge and experiences were exchanged between participants and facilitators to enrich the learning process.
A heartfelt thank you to all the participants, facilitators, and especially to Qatar for graciously hosting this successful course.
USAR teams of the DACHL network (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg) regularly facilitate trainings for different USAR areas and invite international colleagues to participate. This year, the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) hosted an INSARAG Training of Trainers for USAR Coordination Courses (ToT UCC) at THW’s Logistic Centre in Ulm, Germany from 31st August to 6th September 2025.
17 participants from different countries of the AEME region took part in the five-day course. The content was structured in three days of theoretical input and two days for the practical earthquake simulation. Additionally, a guided tour through the Logistic Centre and a visit to the local branch of Neu-Ulm gave insights into THW’s national capacities.
During the first two days, five experienced INSARAG trainers provided theoretical input according to the ToT UCC training package: basics of instructing, communication skills, adult learning, and creating a positive learning environment. Furthermore, they covered information about GDACS, vOSOCC and ICMS.
On the third day, participants gave presentations, in which they were able to apply their presentation and communication skills. Throughout these days, methods and creative activities were included, that participants can use as an inspiration for their own future UC courses.
In the morning of the fourth day an additional media training was integrated, facilitated by THW media experts. Participants received theoretical instructions on how to effectively manage media interactions and engage with reporters during a deployment.Afterwards, the participants had the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice: The course proceeded with a practical UCC simulation of an earthquake in so called Etruria. Divided into two groups, one group acted as EXCON, while the other group took part in the simulation itself. The next morning, the groups’ tasks were switched. Within the exercise, participants were confronted with simulated media teams asking for information and an UNDAC-trained THW volunteer, providing opportunities for cooperation of different UN coordination components. This setup allowed all participants to practice effective exercise management in a realistic scenario.
The ToT UC course equipped its participants with valuable skills and comprehensive knowledge focused on training other trainers. By empowering trainers with this expertise, the program ensures a sustainable and multiplying effect – enabling trained instructors to effectively pass on their knowledge and methodologies to future UC courses. It strengthens the overall capacity and readiness of USAR Coordination, supporting INSARAG’s mission to save lives through efficient, well-coordinated USAR deployments worldwide.
Congratulations to the Belarus Republican Special Response Team (BLR-01) for successfully passing the INSARAG External Reclassification (IER) in Minsk/Borisov, Republic of Belarus between 11-15 August! This recognition affirms the exceptional skill and commitment to International Search and Rescue of the team. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.
The Flood Response Working Group has successfully finalised its initial Terms of Reference with the publication of the Flood Response – Capacity Building – Reference Note. This document is accessible via the ‘Technical Reference Library’ tab . The Working Group is now dedicated to formulating its 2025–2027 Terms of Reference to advance further knowledge-sharing initiatives. Heartfelt congratulations to all members of the Flood Response Working Group and contributors to this reference note for their exemplary efforts.
The Flood Rescue Capacity Building Technical Reference Note is intended to give guidance to INSARAG member states that nominate to support flood response utilising INSARAG teams or coordination frameworks responding to water events. It is not intended to be a comprehensive management, search, rescue, or logistics text. A range of ‘Policy Frameworks and Standards’ are summarized in section 5 to guide decision making on adopting systems of assurance.
Congratulations to Singapore International Search and Rescue Team (SGP-01) for successfully passing the INSARAG External Reclassification (IER) in Singapore, Singapore between 19-22 August! This recognition affirms the exceptional skill and commitment to International Search and Rescue of the team. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.
The INSARAG Secretariat would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all participants of the 2025 INSARAG Steering Group (ISG) Meeting. Your active engagement, valuable insights, and continued commitment to strengthening international urban search and rescue (USAR) coordination have made this year’s meeting a success.
The ISG 2025 Chairman’s Summary is now available. This document captures the key discussions and decisions agreed upon during the meeting. The ISG 2025 Chairman`s summary can also be found together with previous years Chairman`s summaries here.
Thank you once again for your contributions and continued support of the INSARAG network.
Congratulations to China International Search and Rescue Team (CHN-01) and China Search and Rescue (CHN-02) for successfully passing the INSARAG External Reclassification (IER) in Bejing, China between 24-30 May! This recognition affirms the exceptional skill and commitment to International Search and Rescue of both teams. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.
Congratulations to USAR Poland (POL-01) for successfully passing the INSARAG External Reclassification (IER) for the third time in Gdańsk, Poland between 14-16 April! A well-deserved achievement and best wishes from the INSARAG Secretariat!
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