Regulating incoming international search and rescue teams in the response phase

The paper explores the reason why International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) introduced the classification system for international search and rescue (SAR) teams, INSARAG External Classification (IEC), by reviewing the INSARAG’s lessons-learned process. The past lessons show that there was a need to register qualified SAR teams that meet the operational standards agreed by the international SAR network and to ensure that these qualified teams are ready to respond. The paper also provides some recommendations to improve the system, such as more awareness and support for receiving countries is necessary so that the IEC as a system fully works.