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IEC/R Programme

The IEC/R is a peer-review amongst USAR practitioners and both, the USAR team, their mentor, and IEC/R classifier cadre mutually benefit and learn from the experience. The IEC/R classifier cadre evaluate a USAR team to ensure it has met all criteria required by the INSARAG Guidelines and that the USAR team fulfils the current INSARAG minimum standard for USAR preparedness and response.

The IEC/R checklist (light, medium, heavy), based on the INSARAG Guidelines, has been developed by the INSARAG network, and it has been approved for use by the ISG. It is used by EXCON to prepare the IEC/R exercise, by the USAR team to prepare for the IEC/R exercise and by the IEC/R classifier cadre during an IEC/R exercise to ensure that the IEC/R exercise is conducted in a professional and objective manner. It is essential that USAR teams use INSARAG Guidelines, Volume 4 when planning and delivering its required annual FIELDEX.

Issues regarding the IEC/R process should be addressed to the IEC/R Quality Assurance WG via the INSARAG Secretariat.

The ISG has endorsed and expects each team seeking IEC/R to deliver an annual FIELDEX of minimum 36-hour duration. This is a quality control measure used to ensure that a USAR team trains regularly to remain prepared for response. Once a team has selected a IEC/R mentor for its IEC/R, the mentor should attend at least one FIELDEX to be able to provide a complete analysis stating that the USAR team is ready for its IEC/R (mentor’s report). The USAR team is required to submit together with the A-PoE a pre-IEC/R self-assessment checklist and a first mentor’s report to the INSARAG Secretariat; failure to do so could delay or deny an IEC/R.

For an IEC/R, the USAR team is expected to conduct its FIELDEX using the IEC/R checklist as a planning aid; each item found on the checklist will be incorporated into the exercise scenario.

The USAR team is required to successfully complete each item on the IEC/R checklist. The IEC/R classifier cadre will record which assessment method was used (documentation, observation and/or interview) and provide an evaluation of the IEC/R exercise (IEC/R checklist) and extensive advisory note at the end of the IEC/R activity.

Absolute Markers for a Successful IEC/R​

Team Management​

  1. Maintain command and control of the USAR team.
  2. Produce in writing and ensure:
    • Plan of Action
    • Safety and security plan
    • Transportation plan
    • Situation reports
    • Sanitation and hygiene
    • Required INSARAG information and documents
  3. Establish and/or support a RDC, UCC, and/or SCC
  4. Attend UCC/SCC briefings
  5. Use ICMS
  1. Maintain command and control of the search element
  2. Ensure the safety and security plan is in place and understood
  3. Provide input into the Plan of Action
  4. Conduct ASR of assigned area; report findings to team management
  5. Select and properly use search tools:
    • Physical search: required for any level of USAR teams
    • Dog search: optional for light or medium; required for heavy
    • Technical search: optical and acoustic, required for any level of USAR teams

Rescue​

  1. Maintain command and control of the rescue element
  2. Ensure the safety and security plan is in place for all operations and implemented
  3. Provide input into the Plan of Action
  4. Conduct rescue operations:
    • Breaking, breaching and cutting:
      • Concrete: dirty
      • Concrete: clean
      • Structural steel
      • Timber
      • Metal plate
  5. Shoring:
    • Cribbing
    • Window/door stabilisation
    • Vertical stabilisation
    • Diagonal stabilisation
    • Horizontal stabilisation
    • Continuous monitoring of shoring/cribbing systems
  6. Rope Work:
    • Assess the situation and produce a plan of action prior to commencement of rope operations
    • Ensure the safety plan is in place and understood
    • Conduct a vertical raising and lowering operation
    • Construct a system that allows for the movement of a victim from a high point laterally to a safe point below
  7. Confined/restricted space:
    • Safely conduct search and rescue operations in confined/restricted spaces
  8. Lifting and moving:
    • Conduct lifting and moving operations to gain access to a victim
    • Ensure the safety plan is in place and understood
    • The use of a crane is mandatory

Medical​

The USAR team must have the ability to provide medical care for its members (including dogs) and victims encountered while on mission. This includes a pre-deployment medical screening of all members (including dogs), and daily medical health and welfare checks while on mission.

  1. Maintain command and control of the Medical element.
  2. Ensure the Safety Plan is in place and understood.
  3. Provide input into the Plan of Action.
  4. Patient Assessment and Monitoring.
  5. The USAR team:
    • Must assess and monitor each patient while under its control.
    • Must evacuate each patient in a safe manner from the rubble.
    • Provide input to the Victim Extrication Form.
    • Complete a Patient Treatment Form.
  6. Lifesaving Interventions:
    • The USAR team must demonstrate the ability to manage ABC-functions such as airway control, ventilatory support and haemorrhage control.
  7. Patient Management:
    • The USAR team must demonstrate the ability to provide vascular access, fluid therapy, effective analgesia, and antibiotic administration and protection from environment, including considerations for Crush Syndrome and burns.
  8. Patient Stabilisation:
    • The USAR team must demonstrate the ability to immobilise, splint and support suspected factures.
  9. Patient Extrication:
    • The USAR team must demonstrate planning and packaging for safe extrication including considerations for clinical and environmental conditions.
  10. The USAR team must perform a Field Amputation and Dismemberment* in a confined/restricted space.

*may not be applicable to light USAR teams

Logistics​

  1. Maintain command and control of the Logistics element.
  2. Ensure the Safety and Security Plan is in place and understood.
  3. Provide input into the Plan of Action.
  4. BoO Management:
    • Evacuation Plan.
    • Waste Disposal Plan.
    • Decontamination Corridor (Clean & Dirty).
    • Toilet and shower maintenance.
    • Tool and equipment staging and repair.
    • Establish fuel and smoking locations.
    • Development of a Resupply Plan.
    • Placement of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.
    • Placement for dogs.
  5. Electrical supply.
  6. Water supply.

For Details refer to the IEC/R Checklist

Day: 0​

All IEC/R cadre are to arrive in the designated city on Day 0, preferably not later than 17.00 hours. The organisers should consider that some IEC/R cadre may be traveling long distances. Because of this, arrival airports should be serviced by most major airlines to lessen travel cost as well as provide better connections for flights. While non-stop flights are the best option, organisers are encouraged to choose an airport that can be reached by not more than one connecting flight.

The IEC/R classifier team leader will schedule a brief meeting in the evening of Day 0 to make introductions and provide a short overview of how the IEC/R exercise will be managed. Since this is an informal meeting, the organiser does not need to arrange for formal meeting space, unless it can be done at no expense.

The following is an IEC/R classifiers and Stakeholders Meeting example (Agenda):

  1. Self-Introduction:
    • IEC/R classifier cadre: Capacity, deployment experience, INSARAG training, role and responsibility with own USAR team.
  2. Expectation of classifiers:
    • INSARAG Guidelines (INSARAG minimum standards), Objective view / Peer Review
    • Goal and objectives of this Mission.
  3. Rules of Engagement:
    • With USAR team, stakeholders including EXCON, Observers, Conflict Resolution.
    • Understanding that IEC/R classifier cadre will always be present during the IEC/R exercise.
    • Understanding that the FIELDEX conducted as part of the team’s annual exercise.
  4. Work Style:
    • Establish a work schedule and rotation.
    • Buddy system/work shift.
    • Review IEC/R Checklist and verify each functions responsibility.
    • Regular IEC/R classifier cadre meetings to discuss progress.
    • Regular meetings with USAR team stakeholders, especially the mentor.
    • Steps to take if something needs to be repeated.
    • Safety plan.
  5. Final products and reporting to the INSARAG Team Focal Point and INSARAG Secretariat:
    • Determine the timing, audience, and delivery.
  6. Logistics:
    • Lodging and telephone list, and meal schedule.
    • Request hardcopy of materials needed from the INSARAG Team Focal Point or mentor.
    • Ensure vehicles are available, and that driver(s) contact information is known.
  7. Stakeholder Meeting:
    • Ensure IEC/R classification Team is introduced to the stakeholders.
    • Review IEC/R Checklist if necessary.
    • Will there be a VIP and/or media visit?
    • What the IEC/R classifier cadre should be aware of (dos and don’ts).

Day: 1​

The USAR team and its sponsoring organisation will need to arrange, at their cost, a meeting space for the IEC/R cadre on Day 1, which will be used during the entire IEC/R exercise. As an example, the space can be at the host hotel or in the headquarters of the USAR team undergoing the IEC/R exercise. The space should be separate from other undertakings involved with the process, so the IEC/R cadre has privacy to openly discuss issues and do its reporting and documentation. The space requires:

  • Tables and chairs for the IEC/R cadre, as well as extras for the mentor and INSARAG Team Focal Point for when they are needed to provide input.
  • Wireless Internet access.
  • Access to light refreshments (coffee, tea, water).
  • Access to toilet facilities.
  • LED projector (beamer) with a connection cord long enough to facilitate moving the cord to multiple positions. If there is not a blank wall, a projection screen will be needed.
  • Electrical power strips and extension cords to ensure all IEC/R cadre have electrical access.
  • Access to a printer.
  • Paper tablets for note taking, pens, stapler and other office supplies.
  • Minimally one, and preferably two vehicles dedicated to the IEC/R cadre (with drivers) to be available 24/7.
  • If needed support with communication equipment.
  • Minimally two copies of the C-PoE.

It is typical that a USAR team undergoing an IEC/R provides a presentation about its team that allows explanation of the details found in its C-PoE. In this instance, the USAR team is reminded to focus its presentation on its capacity and capability to deploy a USAR team abroad, more so than on its national position or other modules it may have as a resource (water purification, medical and so on). It is not to say these elements are not a source of national influence or are less important, it is to say that the focus of the IEC/R process is on international USAR deployment. For a team undergoing an IER the briefing must highlight the significant events of the past 5 years and include the corrective actions recorded in the former Advisory Notes.

It should be noted that since the IEC/R classifiers have at least six months to review the C-PoE, questions by them should be minimal during this presentation.

The IEC/R classifiers will need to be free until 10.00 hours AM on Day 1 to tend to its internal needs. With the advent of pre-IEC/R teleconferences, coupled with the advanced naming of the IEC/R cadre, most of Day 1 has now been streamlined to having more time for discussion, as well as inspection.

From 10.00 hours AM the following will need to be arranged:

  • Administrative briefing and inspection:

    • The intent is for an IEC/R to cover Checklist Line Items 1-9 through discussion (asking/answering questions), observation (of the submitted C-PoE or actions seen) and inspection (such as warehousing facility, training records, and maintenance reports).
    • Interviews will be conducted with the INSARAG Policy/Operational Focal Points to review governmental responsibilities and commitments.
    • A review of medical screening procedures for both people and dogs which will require the presence of the USAR team’s Medical Director and Chief Veterinarian.
    • Interviews on how functional training is conducted (initial and continuing) for all USAR team members including search dogs.
    • A discussion on recruitment and retention of USAR team members including search dogs.
    • A discussion on how the USAR team makes provides for food, water, medications, and controlled drugs.
    • The Checklist will be reviewed with the IEC/R classifiers, the Operational Focal Point, mentor, EXCON Director and INSARAG Team Focal Point, and the INSARAG Secretariat Representative to ensure all understand how the exercise will be conducted.

  • Site inspections:

    • An inspection of the USAR team’s warehouse including load plans for air and ground transportation and International Air Transport Association requirements.
    • The IEC/R cadre will inspect the IEC/R exercise site to ensure it meets the needs of the IEC/R being sought. This includes possible reserve sites. The IEC/R classifier team leader will explain necessary changes if any are required. Once the site has been re-inspected and approved, the IEC/R cadre will make no other changes.
    • The EXCON will need to provide transport to the various locations requiring inspection. IEC/R cadre may be required to split up during this process; the organisers are to ensure that there is dedicated transport available for each group.
    • If the distance between the Homebase (mobilisation) and the Worksites is too large, Day 1 and the Mobilisation can be monitored by a live stream. This has to be agreed with all the IEC/R Stakeholders.
    • After Day 1 inspection by the IEC/R classifier cadre, the USAR team may load its tool and equipment cache to be ready for transportation on Day 2.

Note: The IEC/R classifier team leader will consult his IEC/R classifiers and, depending on the situation, and with flexibility, will delegate suitable members to conduct the above activities simultaneously.

  • IEC/R cadre’s interaction with Observer Groups is usually limited due its focus being on the exercise activities. It is suggested though, that time is built into the exercise schedule that allows the IEC/R cadre, the INSARAG Team Focal Point and the mentor to meet with the Observer Group during the exercise. This allows an opportunity to explain first what the USAR team has done to prepare and how the IEC/R cadre works.
  • During the minimum 36-hour exercise, the IEC/R classifier team leader will meet numerous times with the INSARAG Team Focal Point and mentor to discuss the status of the process. The purpose is to inform the INSARAG Team Focal Point of which items have been seen and whether there are items that might need to be repeated.
  • The IEC/R classifier team leader will immediately consult with the INSARAG Secretariat Representative and the mentor, should an area of ambiguity or concern arise during the exercise. The INSARAG Secretariat Representative will decide if a formal meeting is needed to resolve the matter.

Day: 2-3​

The number of actual days scheduled for the field portion of the IEC/R exercise will vary and can be adjusted if approved by the INSARAG Secretariat, in consultation with the IEC/R classifier team leader. It should be remembered however that the IEC/R cadre in most instances have travelled many kilometres across numerous time zones. With that in mind, it is suggested that, when possible, the IEC/R exercise not start at the end of Day 1, thus giving the IEC/R cadre time to acclimate to time and change of environment.

The IEC/R scenario/exercise format is clearly defined as a continuous 36-hour (minimum) constantly evolving scenario-based USAR exercise. This means that the IEC/R cadre expects to observe initial search operations being done (ASR 2), with an analysis of needs leading to the immediate request for rescue support including hazardous environment assessments, structural triage and victim extrication with medical support. “Continuous” requires that the worksite is never left unattended until the last victim is removed; meaning that a synchronised approach starting with victim detection through victim removal is required. The intent is to allow the IEC/R cadre the opportunity to observe how the USAR team, undergoing the process operates as a Team and not as individual functions. A systematic approach to tactical operations allows the USAR team to fully demonstrate its response capability and capacity.

The IEC/R cadre must arrive at a location in advance of the USAR team; this is to ensure it is in place to observe initial portions of the exercise as they unfold.

The same is true during tactical operations, meaning that if a shoring operation is needed, the IEC/R classifiers may observe the set-up. They will return at intervals to observe the operation through its completion. The IEC/R cadre must ensure it is aware of the exercise timeline and will in most instances not interfere with that schedule. That said, it is the responsibility of the IEC/R classifiers to be certain that it is in place to observe critical portions of the exercise such as rigging and lifting, technical search, and complex medical procedures. The IEC/R cadre must be aware of the impact caused if a USAR team is required to reset a scenario because there was no one from the IEC/R cadre present when it was being conducted. The IEC/R classifier team leader and the mentor will closely coordinate timings to lessen the probability of the IEC/R cadre not being in the correct place at the correct time.

The first six hours of the FIELDEX are used for the Response Capability evaluation. It should be noted that the IEC/R cadre requires these actions to be taken as if it were an actual deployment. The IEC/R cadre also understands that during portions of these activities the USAR team’s native language will be used rather than English, which is permissible. The IEC/R cadre will need an overview (in English) but does not require direct translation.

The IEC/R cadre understand that it is very difficult to compress logistics requirements to meet the confines of a 36-hour (minimum) exercise. With that certain flexibility will be accepted in this phase including:

  • While not preferred, the use of portable toilets and alternate showers is permissible for the BoO. The USAR team will still need to build-out its latrine area and shower facility (including providing water to the shower and hand-washing stations) in its footprint for inspection by the IEC/R cadre.
    • For IEC/R exercise, the USAR team is required to produce potable water for priority use in the Decontamination Corridor (Clean-Dirty).
  • Due to the expense and certain national requirements, the USAR team does not need to take the full complement of its medical pharmacy to the field. The IEC/R cadre will inspect the entire medical cache (including pharmacy) during Day 1 activities.
  • The USAR team undergoing IEC/R does need however to have adequate medicines and medical supplies to treat real emergencies. The USAR team will also need to have adequate medicines and medical supplies to “treat” patients during the exercise. By this, along with the needed bandaging, splinting, etc., the IEC/R cadre will expect to see an oxygen mask applied to a patient if the situation calls for this treatment. In the same view, an intravenous catheter (IV) will need to be placed with an IV solution connected to it, if that treatment is required. The IEC/R cadre cannot accept verbalisation of medical treatment; it must see it.
  • Due to spoilage and resupply expense, the USAR team is not required to take its complete food and water complement to the field. The IEC/R classifier cadre will inspect this element during Day 1 activities to ensure the USAR team has adequate capacity for the classification being sought.
  • The USAR team is required however to have adequate food and water on hand to tend to the team members for the duration of the exercise.

End of Day 3​

As the exercise draws near its endpoint on Day 3, the IEC/R classifier team leader should be able to inform the INSARAG Secretariat Representative whether the USAR team will be successful. While it is understood that pre-planned celebrations or ceremonies are discouraged, the INSARAG Secretariat Representative may elect to inform the organisers unofficially that the USAR team has been successful (or not) in gaining or maintaining its classification.

At this time the IEC/R classifier cadre must reconvene to prepare its debriefing (IEC/R Checklist and draft of the advisory notes) to the USAR team and compile its report. This process is not to be underestimated and at least 5 hours must be counted. In the IEC/R exercise planning this timeslot must be respected.

If time allows at this point, the IEC/R classifier team leader may schedule a debriefing (IEC/R Checklist and draft of the Advisory Notes) with the USAR team management to review its findings. This meeting must be scheduled for at least one hour. If there is not sufficient time, this debriefing must take place Day 4; the IEC/R classifier team leader and the INSARAG Sec Rep determine when this action will be completed.

Day: 4​

For the debriefing, enough time must be planned, at least one hour, better two. The debriefing must include the observations and validations including the explanations and must be presented with the completed IEC/R Checklist. A first draft of the Advisory Notes must be presented as well

Should there be issues that require discussion on the final remarks arising from the IEC/R classifiers, these should be resolved and agreed prior to the departure of the IEC/R classifier cadre.

IEC/R classifier cadre members will be free to return to their home base on the afternoon of Day 4 or on Day 5 when travel arrangements can be confirmed.

Most USAR teams would like to include a closing ceremony into the programme, attended by governmental officials and the local media. The INSARAG Secretariat and IEC/R cadre have no role to play in these ceremonies and may not be able to attend.