Draft Agenda

Summary of the Feedback

Urban Search and Rescue at Heritage Sites: a Guide for the Field

FRWG – Global Position – WG Meeting Qatar

The Flexible Response Working Group (FRWG) was established in 2020 following the recommendation of the INSARAG Steering Group (ISG) to discuss and explore the potential for the development of adaptable and flexible response operations, in a global context of constantly changing response environment in which there has been an increase in extreme weather-related disasters requiring other specialized capacities in urban search and rescue activities.  

The FRWG was established with three Sub-groups, one of which, the Global Position Sub-Group, concluded its work in 2023 presenting their report and recommendations to the ISG 2023.  

The ISG 2023 endorsed nine areas, one of which is for the establishment of a Flood Response Working Group and directed the INSARAG Secretary to facilitate its organization. 

The FRW closed in 2023 and part of its work is performed by the SAR in Flood Response Working Group.

The INSARAG National Capacity Building Working Group (NCB_WG) was established to enhance national capacity building in disaster response, transitioning from the earlier National Accreditation Working Group formed in 2020. This group aligns with INSARAG’s Strategic Plan for 2021-2026, particularly its goal to localize emergency response coordination and improve national-level Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) capacities. The NCB_WG focuses on adapting INSARAG’s coordination methodologies to local contexts, fostering community preparedness, and supporting national accreditation processes. Its scope includes providing technical guidance for establishing national USAR frameworks, helping countries integrate international USAR teams, and developing customized capacity-building strategies for member states.

The NCB_WG will operate for three years with members from all three INSARAG regions, who possess extensive USAR and INSARAG experience. It will review and update important documents such as the INSARAG Guidelines and the Technical Guidance Note on the INSARAG Recognized National Accreditation Process (IRNAP). Additionally, it will offer support in training national experts and technical groups involved in accreditation. The working group reports to the INSARAG Steering Group and will conduct both virtual and in-person meetings, aligned with global or regional INSARAG events. Key deliverables include updates to INSARAG guidelines and support for the First Responder Training Programme.

draft agenda for the LTQAWG meeting