Strengthening Search and Rescue Together

Through this partnership, IASARC and IPSQA take a united step towards elevating the future of search and rescue operations.

New Global Partnership to Establish Certification Framework for Search and Rescue Coordination

The International Association of Search and Rescue Coordinators (IASARC) and International Public Safety Qualifications Authority (IPSQA) are proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership to develop the world’s first international  certification framework focused on the coordination of search and rescue (SAR). 

This initiative will establish globally standardized credentials for professionals working in maritime and aeronautical Search and Rescue (SAR) coordination that will be recognized worldwide, with plans to expand to land-based SAR in the future. 

Why Focus on Coordination?

Laying the Foundation for Global Standards: Lives are not saved by individuals alone, they are saved by systems. These systems are networks of organizations, resources, and teams that work together to aid those in distress. However, this complex system only functions optimally when each component operates optimally. While many components within the SAR system have seen considerable advancement, such as aviation and medical response, the field of SAR coordination has not yet been fully professionalized. While some international standards exist, there has not been, to date, a widely accepted international certification program to promote conformity, leverage best practices, and advance this function into a publicly recognized profession. 

IASARC was founded for this very purpose - to Advance the Profession of SAR Coordination through challenging professional certifications.

Framework Development 

A Partnership Built for Impact: As the African proverb states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” The IPSQA is a world leader in public safety certifications, offering a full spectrum of products that are quality assured and assessed in compliance with ISO 17024:2012 standards. This rigorous approach ensures that certified personnel meet internationally recognized competency requirements across various roles, including dispatchers, coordinators, and administrators.

When coupled with IASARC’s vast network of leading SAR coordination experts worldwide, you have a recipe for a premier certification program. IASARC and the IPSQA are collaborating to leverage this network in developing a program based on well-established doctrine from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), ensuring consistency with globally recognized protocols. “This will be the world’s first such program,” according to the IPSQA leadership.

Certification Pathway

A Clear Path for Professional Growth: SAR Coordination certifications will start with awareness-level assessments and progress to comprehensive certifications. The programs will offer several certification levels, based on accepted SAR coordination positions, such as SAR Administrator, SAR Mission Coordinator, and On-Scene Coordinator, creating advancement opportunities for search and rescue professionals globally while embracing a global standard for easier communication and understanding. 

Global Accessibility, High Standards

Making Excellence Reachable Worldwide: A key feature of the new system is its global accessibility. The Certificate in SAR Coordination will utilize online examinations and portfolio-based evidence assessment, eliminating the need for in-person evaluation(s) while maintaining rigorous standards.

To ensure international credibility and impartiality, portfolio assessments will be conducted by a diverse body of assessors from multiple fields and global regions. This evaluation approach reinforces the nature of the certification and builds confidence in the qualification across international boundaries.

Industry Impact

Elevating the Profession of SAR Coordination: This certification framework represents a significant advancement in professionalizing global search and rescue coordination while respecting individual agencies' autonomy. As IPSQA and IASARC do not provide training directly, SAR agencies retain complete control over their training programs while gaining access to internationally recognized certification standards.

The initiative provides a global benchmark for SAR coordination professional certification, potentially elevating operational performance across diverse geographic regions and organizational contexts. This standardization is particularly valuable during international SAR operations involving multiple agencies and countries.

The collaborative development of this certification framework represents a significant step toward establishing a globally recognized profession of SAR coordinators. By providing a standardized certification pathway accessible worldwide, IASARC and IPSQA together are working to enhance the capabilities and recognition of search and rescue across all domains.