Skip to Content

INSARAG Guidelines

Version 3.1 by Tjalling Haije on 2025/09/08 10:01

Response Framework 

INSARAG uses the following framework for Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) scenarios:1708943295339-246.png

This framework distinguishes between three levels of response when a large-scale structural collapse disaster occurs (what we refer to as: a complex incident). In Synergise, the fire department stakeholders would fall within the First Responders level, while the USAR teams are National USAR Teams. Coordination on an International level may also occur, if needed to tackle the complex incident. 

Team Definitions

INSARAG additionally gives the following team definitions for Heavy, Medium, and Light USAR Teams:

1708943522146-535.png

They recommend a minimum number of deployed personnel for each team type. For Light Teams, this is 17, for Medium Teams it’s 40, and for Heavy Teams it’s 59. They also require redundancy planning of 2:1 for each position.