Representatives from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Fire Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service recently attended the second 2026 delivery of UK ISAR International Operations Preparedness (IOP) course, held in June 2026.
The programme is supported and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The course is designed to strengthen understanding of individual roles, responsibilities, and expectations when deployed on international urban search and rescue operations. It supports personnel preparing for overseas deployment by combining structured classroom-based learning with practical, scenario-driven training aligned with INSARAG standards.
Throughout the programme, candidates worked through six core preparedness areas: effective operation within a Base of Operations (BoO), maintaining health and hygiene in austere environments, personal readiness and deployment preparation, safety, security and safeguarding principles, cultural awareness when working with international partners and affected communities, and appropriate management of media and social media during deployments. These topics were delivered through immersive role-play scenarios designed to reflect the pressures and complexity of real international disaster response.
Assessment was continuous and aligned with INSARAG IER classification principles, with each preparedness area evaluated using a red, amber, green grading system.
Prior to attendance, delegates were required to complete mandatory safeguarding, security, and INSARAG pre-reading materials to ensure full readiness for participation.
Training took place in a field-based environment, with participants accommodated in tents and supported with ration packs to replicate deployed living conditions. By the end of the course, candidates had developed a clear understanding of the professional standards, conduct, and operational expectations required for safe and effective deployment on international disaster response operations.
