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IEC/R Classifiers

The INSARAG Secretariat maintains a yearly database of suitable IEC/R classifiers that are selected, proposed and supported by their sponsoring organisation through their respective INSARAG Team, Operational, and Policy Focal Points. The INSARAG Secretariat utilises this pool of IEC/R classifiers to select the classifier cadre for a specific IEC/R.

Nominees for IEC/R classifier position must attend prior as an IEC/R classifier-in-training.

Nominees for IEC/R classifier team leader or deputy team leader position must attend the IEC/R Leadership Course. Nominations for this course are to be done by the INSARAG Policy Focal Point to the INSARAG Secretariat. The INSARAG Secretariat confirms the final selection of participants for any given course.

An IEC/R classifier team is made up by the INSARAG Secretariat from the above-mentioned database and approved by their respective INSARAG Policy and Operational Focal Points. The IEC/R classifier cadre members provide the required skills to evaluate the various components of a USAR team.

The IEC/R Quality Assurance Working Group can support the INSARAG Secretariat in reviewing IEC/R cadres for upcoming IEC/Rs. The final responsibility remains with the INSARAG Secretariat.

IEC/R Cadre

The minimum numbers of IEC/R classifiers suggested for an IEC/R exercise is as follows:

Light INSARAG classification – seven IEC/R classifiers:

  • Team Leader x 1
  • Management / Deputy Team Leader x 1
  • Logistics x 1
  • Search x 1
  • Rescue x 1
  • Medical x 1
  • Classifier-in-training x 1

Medium INSARAG classification – nine IEC/R classifiers:

  • Team Leader x 1
  • Management / Deputy Team Leader x 1
  • Logistics x 1
  • Search x 1
  • Rescue x 2
  • Medical x 1
  • Classifier-in-training x 2

Heavy INSARAG classification – ten IEC/R classifiers:

  • Team Leader x 1
  • Management / Deputy Team Leader x 1
  • Logistics x 1
  • Search x 1
  • Rescue x 3
  • Medical x 1
  • Classifier-in-training x 2

However, the final IEC/R classifier composition will be decided after consultation with the designated IEC/R classifier team leader.

The INSARAG Secretariat will, where possible, include an IEC/R deputy team leader to be mentored as a future IEC/R classifier team leader. It is imperative that at least one member of the IEC/R classifier team be UC-qualified (minimum level UC Course, preferably UC ToT Course). These numbers can be augmented if needed.

The mandate of the IEC/R cadre is to ensure the USAR team undergoing IEC/R exercise is measured in an objective and non-biased manner. Furthermore, they are required to ensure that a USAR team satisfactorily demonstrates all the competencies and skills required by the INSARAG Guidelines (minimum standards) for the level of IEC/R being sought.

As peers within the INSARAG community, IEC/R classifiers are expected to uphold the principles and minimum standards established by INSARAG and described in the INSARAG Guidelines. IEC/R classifiers need to remain objective and conduct the classification according to the INSARAG minimum standards. It is important that IEC/R classifiers do not attempt to promote or enforce their home country’s methodology during an IEC/R, as they are representing the global INSARAG network.

The IEC/R classifier cadre will acknowledge that USAR teams operate using their national standards to achieve the common objectives found in the IEC/R checklist. Nevertheless, minimum standards for international deployment, as described in the INSARAG Guidelines, must be respected by the USAR team and the IEC/R classifier cadre. Consultations between EXCON, mentor, other relevant stakeholders, and the IEC/R classifier team leader or deputy team leader may be conducted when needed.

The IEC/R classifiers are required to ensure that USAR operations are conducted safely and therefore cannot disregard or overlook a violation of generally accepted safe practice. If a safety concern arises, the IEC/R classifiers will temporarily stop the activity, discuss the matter with the IEC/R mentor, site controller/safety officer or INSARAG Team Focal Point and if needed the INSARAG Secretariat Representative until it can be continued in a safe manner. An IEC/R classifier should not stop an activity, unless there is a direct threat of injury or worse.

The IEC/R classifier cadre may complete their IEC/R evaluation before the USAR teams’ exercise is finished. Since this is the USAR team’s annual exercise, the IEC/R classifier cadre does not have the ability to stop the exercise at this point, since it would interfere with the training objectives of the USAR team.

Selection and Evaluation of IEC/R Classifiers​

Candidates who meet the criteria are required to obtain approval from their national INSARAG Policy, Operational and Team Focal Points to make themselves available to the INSARAG Secretariat as IEC/R classifiers. This pre-approval is important as all the costs associated with the IEC/R classifiers are the responsibility of their sponsoring organisation.

Once approval has been received, the candidate is required to complete the IEC/R classifier application form and return it to the INSARAG Secretariat through the INSARAG Focal Points.

The INSARAG Secretariat will then review the application. If accepted, the candidate and INSARAG Operational and Team Focal Points will be notified in writing, and the individual will be added to the roster of IEC/R classifiers. The selection of IEC/R classifiers is based on, among others, the following:

  • Continuing commitment in INSARAG activities and availability; the INSARAG Operational and Team Focal Points will be required to commit to supporting the availability of their IEC/R classifiers
  • Confirmed financial support from sponsoring organisation for participation in the IEC/R process
  • Successful fulfilment and retention of the appropriate ToR requirements
  • Participation in relevant IEC/R training and other INSARAG activities

IEC/R classifier sponsors and the individual IEC/R classifiers must be aware that to remain active as an IEC/R classifier, they are required to maintain a close relationship with the INSARAG network through participation in classifications, meetings, exercises and other INSARAG-related USAR activities.

The IEC/R Quality Assurance WG supports the INSARAG Secretariat in reviewing classifiers applications for the admission in the roster of IEC/R classifiers. The final responsibility remains with the INSARAG Secretariat.

An IEC/R cadre is comprised of the following positions:

  • IEC/R Classifier Team Leader
    • Must be member of an INSARAG classified USAR team
    • Must have been an IEC/R deputy team leader and have been on three or more IEC/Rs
    • Must have successfully accomplished the INSARAG Leadership Course
  • IEC/R Classifier Deputy Team Leader
    • Must be member of an INSARAG classified USAR team
    • Must have been an IEC/R classifier, a member of an EXCON, have been on two or more IEC/Rs
    • Must have successfully accomplished the INSARAG Leadership Course
  • IEC/R Classifier Management
    • Must be member of an INSARAG classified USAR team
    • Must have been a member of USAR team management and have been on one IEC/R as classifier-in-training
    • Must have accomplished the INSARAG UC Training (proficient use in ICMS included)
    • IEC/R Classifiers Search, Logistics, Medical, Rescue
    • Must be member of an INSARAG classified USAR team
    • Must be a subject matter expert for the nominated function and have been on one IEC/R as classifier-in-training
  • IEC/R Classifier in Training
    • Must be member of an INSARAG classified USAR team
    • Must meet the requirements for the position according to the appropriate ToR requirements
  • INSARAG Secretariat Representative
    • Must be a staff member of RSB or member of an INSARAG classified USAR team and have been an IEC/R classifier team leader on four or more IEC/Rs
    • Must have accomplished the INSARAG Leadership Course

Members of IEC/R Cadre must be from another organization and member state than the Mentor and/or the team undergoing (re)classification.

It is strongly suggested not to have more than two Classifier from the same country within the same IEC/R Cadre.

Exceptions can be granted by the INSARAG Secretariat, based upon experience. Consultation in this matter with the Quality Assurance Working Group is strongly advised.

It should be noted that INSARAG provides training for only IEC/R team leaders/deputy team leaders, mentors, and secretariat representatives. It is the responsibility of the sponsoring agency to ensure that those nominees for IEC/R classifiers are fully prepared for the assignment. Classifiers in training are expected to remain a classifier for at least 5 years. Their sponsoring organisations are to encourage and support this.

It should also be noted that it is the responsibility of the IEC/R team leader to evaluate the performance of their IEC/R classifiers and report the results to the INSARAG Secretariat. The INSARAG Secretariat forwards these findings to the respective INSARAG Focal Points.

The USAR team undergoing an IEC/R also can evaluate the performance of its IEC/R classifier team.

Those IEC/R classifiers who do not meet the appropriate ToR for the position will be removed from the roster of IEC/R classifiers by the INSARAG Secretariat and will not be added back until the INSARAG Policy, Operational, and Team Focal Points submit in writing how the individual’s performance was improved. If removed from the roster, an individual will return to IEC/R classifier-in-training status and be re-evaluated.