INSARAG External Classification/Reclassification - Pacific Disaster ...

10.2 Scheduling an IER
The year of the IER will normally be known some time before the reclassification
exercise. The IER must occur at some stage within the 5 th calendar year following the
original IEC. The INSARAG Secretariat will confirm the exact date of the
reclassification exercise with the team concerned.
Any applications for an IER that fall either before or after the USAR team’s five year
cycle must be submitted to the INSARAG Secretariat for consideration. However, due
to limited resources, the INSARAG Secretariat may not be in a position to accommodate
the team’s request.
10.3 IER Process
The IER will always include some element of scenario-based FIELDEX involving
continuous tactical USAR operations for 36-hours. The objective is to impose the least
burden possible on the team being assessed while still ensuring the INSARAG
Guidelines standards are maintained.
Similar to the IEC, the IER makes use of the IER Checklist (Annex K).
10.3.1 Reclassification Methods
The manner in which the reclassification will be conducted will be will be determined
by the specific needs of the USAR team. The IER could include any combination of the
following:
• Documented evidence to support that the USAR team has maintained its
response capability and technical capacity;
• Documented evidence to support that the USAR team has implemented the
recommendations provided by the IEC Classifiers for any yellow colour line
items identified during the previous IEC, that all “gaps” have been rectified and
weak areas strengthened;
• Participation in a scenario-based simulation exercise to practically demonstrate
the required range of technical skills;
• Verbal assessment via a question and answer session;
• Documented evidence by a USAR expert, recognised by the INSARAG
Secretariat, who has observed the USAR team during a deployment, exercise or
training event;
• Demonstration to a satisfactory level of randomly selected aspects of the IER
Checklist;
• Any combination of the above.
The appointed IER Team Leader will always contact the USAR team being reclassified
to discuss the specific requirements of the IER. These requirements will be mutually
agreed between the USAR team, its sponsoring organisation, the INSARAG Secretariat
and the IER Team leader.
36 IEC Guidelines, 2011 Edition