After several years of work, involving the entire French USAR community under the coordination of the French General Directorate for Civil Protection and Crisis Management/Office of Doctrine, Training and Equipment, the new national USAR doctrine was published in September 2021. This doctrine is complemented by the national operational and technical guidelines for all French USAR responders: from first responders to regional, national and international teams. As France had committed to, in the context of the INSARAG recognition of its national accreditation process in July 2017, all INSARAG standards have been integrated into these new national guidelines which are now a reference for all USAR operations on the French territory (including overseas) and allowing, if necessary, a perfect coordination with possible international USAR teams requested to assist in France.
These guidelines in French are available following the links below, (it will be translated to English soon):
Sub-WG A Global Position composed of 2 Co-Chair and 16 members, will develop a global INSARAG position on Flexible (Operational) Response, based on the drafted Regional Position Papers on this topic in 2020. The scope of the global position on Flexible Response can also encompass the response beyond collapsed structures and earthquakes, as some regions have already implemented this successfully.
Sub-WG C Response to Cultural Heritage composed of 2 Co-Chairs and 9 members, will review the draft UNESCO Guidelines on Response to Cultural Heritage and draft an INSARAG Technical Guidance Note on “INSARAG’s Response to Cultural Heritage Sites”.
In the last few years, humanitarian emergencies have been strongly impacted by climate change. Additionally, due to the challenges imposed by the pandemic, the humanitarian landscape has become even more complex. Therefore, there have been increasing discussions on ways to effectively deploy INSARAG teams in disasters beyond those strictly involving collapsed structures. Those events can often be caused by hydrometeorological and climatological reasons which could make INSARAG teams’ skills extremely relevant, such as specialized capacities for water rescue and flood disaster response.
Given the significant resources and costs associated with the establishment and maintenance of certified USAR teams as well as of their deployments, it is reasonable to explore ways on how to best maximize these professional life-saving resources of USAR teams under the INSARAG’s umbrella, and through global consultations with the three regional groups of INSARAG.
INSARAG has proved to remain flexible and effective despite the challenges of the pandemic and amidst a complex humanitarian environment. The FRWG will aim to contribute to the INSARAG network to continue being relevant and nimble despite the new challenges. The INSARAG network will be strengthened as a result of the review and further development of the Flexible Response concept, the strengthening of teams’ deployments in the BtR phase including the DACC concept and INSARAG’s role in response to affected areas where cultural heritage sites exist.
Composition
The FRWG is composed of three Sub-Working Groups with respective assignments:
Sub-WG A Global Position with 19 members, will develop a global INSARAG position on Flexible (Operational) Response, based on the drafted Regional Position Papers on this topic in 2020. The scope of the global position on Flexible Response can also encompass the response beyond collapsed structures and earthquakes, as some regions have already implemented this successfully.
Sub-WG B Disasters Assessment Coordination Center (DACC) with 22, members will develop the Damage Assessment Coordination Centre (DACC) guidelines and methodology.
Sub-WG C Cultural Heritage with 10 members, will review the draft UNESCO Guidelines on Response to Cultural Heritage and draft an INSARAG Technical Guidance Note on “INSARAG’s Response to Cultural Heritage Sites”.
The INSARAG Technical Guidance Notes provide non-binding guidance to USAR teams beyond what is specified as minimum requirements by the INSARAG Guidelines. These Technical Guidance Notes are prepared by the INSARAG working groups and then endorsed by the INSARAG Steering Group. Please note that these Technical Guidance Notes are not parts of the INSARAG Guidelines, they are only good practices and recommendations. They are not the expectations from INSARAG member USAR teams or those USAR teams that undergo the INSARAG External Classification (IEC) process.
Medical Guidance Notes:
Amputations and Dismemberment – Link – endorsed in 2023
Identification of USAR Medical Personnel – Link – endorsed in 2011
Post Mission Medical Reporting – Link – endorsed in 2011
Provision of Medical Care in an Austere Environment Specifically in a Confined Space – Link – endorsed in 2011
Recovery of Deceased During USAR Operations – Link – endorsed in 2011
The Donation of Medical Supplies and Equipment Prior to Demobilisation – Link – endorsed in 2011
The Medical Management of the Entrapped Patient with Crush Syndrome – Link – endorsed in 2023
Patient Treatment Record – Link – endorsed in 2012
Urban Search and Rescue in Extreme Environmental Conditions – Link – endorsed in 2014
INSARAG Injury and Illness Log – Link – endorsed in 2019
Template Letter requesting Ability to Practice USAR Medicine – Link – endorsed in 2019
INSARAG Patient Treatment Form – Link – endorsed in October 2019
Medical Guidance Note – Defining USAR Medicine – Link
MWG Covid-19 USAR Response Technical Reference Note – Link
The INSARAG Guidelines remain a living document and will be subject to an ongoing process of development to improve and document the way we respond to save lives in major natural disasters like earthquakes, or building collapses in other disasters. This is achieved through a regular five-year review cycle led by the INSARAG Guidelines Review Group (GRG), which aims to facilitate continuous improvement in classified teams. The INSARAG Steering Group (ISG) recognizes the importance of maintaining knowledge and process continuity between the 5-yearly GRG reviews.
After Cyclone Idai ripped through Mozambique, entire communities were surrounded by water. Humanitarians did everything they could to save lives and provide vital assistance. Link
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