INSARAG IEC-R Leadership Course 2025 – Qatar

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.

Calendar

This calendar provides an overview of events scheduled throughout the year and is updated regularly.

For additional details, please contact the focal points listed below.
To announce an event to the Secretariat, kindly use the designated INSARAG Events Submission Form

Event Type Event Title Location Start Date End Date Focal Point
2026            
INSARAG IER FRA-03 IER (Heavy) France 26 Jan 30 Jan Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IER UAE-01 IER (Heavy) UAE 09 Feb 13 Feb Lucien Jaggi
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
UKISAR Training Advanced Timber Shoring course Liverpool, United Kingdom 23 Feb 27 Feb Paul Courtney
[email protected]
UK Intl’ Search and Rescue
INSARAG Training USAR Coordination Course (EUCPM/INSARAG) Volterra, Italy 23 Feb 27 Feb Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
UKISAR Training USAR Coordination Course Liverpool, United Kingdom 2 Mar 6 Mar Paul Courtney
[email protected]
OCHA Conference Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) Geneva, Switzerland 10 Mar 12 Mar Nadine Jaeggi
[email protected]
HNPW Secretariat
INSARAG Meeting INSARAG Steering Group Meeting (ISG) Geneva, Switzerland 10 Mar 10 Mar Martijn Viersma
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IEC CHN-10 IEC (Medium) Hong Kong, China 16 Mar 20 Mar [email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Training Asia-Pacific USAR Coordination Course Seoul, South Korea 23 Mar 27 Mar [email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IER ALG-01 IER (Heavy) Algeria 13 Apr 17 Apr Lucien Jaggi
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IEC ECU-01 IEC (Medium) Ecuador 27 Apr 01 May Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Training Americas USAR Coordination Course Santiago, Chile 10 May 16 May Lucien Jaggi
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IEC ITA-01 IEC (Heavy to Medium) Italy 18 May 22 May Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IEC ITA-02 IEC (Light) Italy 18 May 22 May Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Training Asia-Pacific USAR Coordination Training of Trainers China May TBC May TBC [email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IER COL-01 IER (Medium) Colombia 07 Jun 12 Jun Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Meeting Working Groups Meeting Foz de Iguazu, Brazil 04 Jul 05 Jul Martijn Viersma
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Meeting Team Leaders Meeting Foz de Iguazu, Brazil 06 Jul 07 Jul Lucien Jaggi
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Meeting A-P Regional Meeting Foz de Iguazu, Brazil 08 Jul 09 Jul [email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Meeting AEME Regional Meeting Foz de Iguazu, Brazil 08 Jul 09 Jul Clement Kalonga
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Meeting Americas Regional Meeting Foz de Iguazu, Brazil 08 Jul 09 Jul Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Meeting Global Meeting Foz de Iguazu, Brazil 04 Jul 10 Jul Martijn Viersma
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IEC EGY-01 IEC (Medium) Egypt 10 Aug 14 Aug Lucien Jaggi
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IEC LTH-01 IEC (Medium to Light) Lithuania 07 Sep 11 Sep Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IER MAS-01 IER (Heavy) Malaysia 21 Sep 25 Sep [email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IER AUT-01 IER (Heavy) Austria 05 Oct 09 Oct Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IEC GER-01 IER (Medium) Germany 05 Oct 09 Oct Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IEC ROU-01 IEC (Medium to Heavy) Romania 19 Oct 23 Oct Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Exercise Global Exercise Doha, Qatar 25 Oct 29 Oct Lucien Jaggi
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG IEC CHN-11 IEC (Medium) China 20 Nov 23 Nov [email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat
INSARAG Exercise Earthquake Response Exercise (ERE) El Salvador 7 Dec 10 Dec

Stefania Trassari
[email protected]
INSARAG Secretariat

Calendar_2

Calendar

Generated by wpDataTables

Asia-Pacific USAR Team Coordination Course in the Republic of Korea, 23-27 March 2026

From 23 to 27 March 2026, the National Fire Agency (NFA) of the Republic of Korea, in collaboration with the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), hosted the Urban Search and Rescue Coordination Cell (UCC) Course in Busan, Republic of Korea.

The course brought together 22 participants from eight international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams, engaged in practical exercises and knowledge exchange, contributing to a more cohesive and capable global USAR network. The training reinforced regional cooperation and advanced a shared commitment to effective, coordinated disaster response. Delivered under the guidance of expert instructors from the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), the training focused on strengthening coordination capacities in line with INSARAG methodology, promoting interoperability, and enhancing readiness for complex emergency operations.

The successful completion of the course by all participants reflects the continued dedication of USAR teams to uphold INSARAG standards and further improve collective response capabilities. This training course underscores the importance of international collaboration in ensuring timely, efficient, and life-saving assistance in disaster-affected areas.

Appreciation is extended to the NFA and the KDRT for hosting the course, and to the expert instructors from Australia, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea for their invaluable contributions.

     

INSARAG Steering Group Meeting 2026

The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) held its annual Steering Group meeting on 10 March 2026 in Geneva with 256 participants in person and online. The group reviewed regional and thematic progress and endorsed important topics, such as the 2026 INSARAG Guidelines, and the INSARAG Strategy for 2026-2030.

IEC CHN-03

Congratulations to the Hong Kong China Search and Rescue Team (HKGSART, CHN-03) for successfully passing the INSARAG External Classification (IEC) in Hong Kong, China, between 16–20 March 2026! CHN-03 is the 61st INSARAG-classified team globally and the 3rd classified team from China. This recognition affirms the exceptional skill and commitment to international search and rescue of the team. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.

 

IER UAE-01

Congratulations to the United Arab Emirates (UAE USAR TEAM) (UAE-01) Team for successfully passing the INSARAG External Reclassification (IER) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, between 07-13 February 2026! This recognition affirms the exceptional skill and commitment to International Search and Rescue of the team. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.

IER FRA-03

Congratulations to the 7th French Battalion For Civil Protection (FRA-03) Team for successfully passing the INSARAG External Reclassification (IER) in France, between 26-30 January 2026! This recognition affirms the exceptional skill and commitment to International Search and Rescue of the team. The INSARAG Secretariat extends its most sincere congratulations.

Letter of Remembrance and Appreciation.

On 6 February 2026, AKUT Search and Rescue Association issued a Letter of Remembrance and Appreciation to the INSARAG community, marking the anniversary of one of the most devastating disasters in Türkiye’s history. The message pays tribute to international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams that rapidly deployed from around the world, leaving their homes and families to help save lives in the affected areas.​

The letter recalls how international and national teams worked side by side in the rubble, demonstrating professionalism, courage and compassion, and bringing hope when hope seemed lost. It emphasizes that these efforts embodied INSARAG’s principles of cooperation, coordination and mutual support, and showcased the true meaning of international solidarity.​

AKUT extends its deepest gratitude to all INSARAG teams and to the INSARAG Secretariat for their leadership, coordination and unwavering support during the response. 

 

INSARAG_LETTERDownload