Bangkok USAR Team Completes International INSARAG Assessment

Pictures courtesy of Bangkok Fire & Rescue

Bangkok’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit has successfully completed its participation in the INSARAG External Classification (IEC) assessment, joining the national USAR team in a major step toward strengthening the country’s disaster-response credentials. The week-long evaluation, held from 10–13 November 2025 in Pathum Thani and Chai Nat, reviewed the team’s operational performance under internationally recognised search-and-rescue standards. Officials said the completion of the assessment marks a significant milestone in efforts to build public confidence in Thailand’s readiness for large-scale emergencies.

USAR Thailand’s deployment included 40 personnel from the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department (สปภ.กทม.), working alongside specialists from six agencies: the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the Department of Medical Services, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Engineering Institute of Thailand under Royal Patronage, the Foundation for Environmental and Social Development, and NPC Safety and Environmental Service Co., Ltd. The assessment measured capability across five core areas, management, search, rescue, medical operations and logistics, without altering any established criteria. Evaluation teams from eleven countries, including Singapore, Russia, Germany, Pakistan, South Korea, Chile, China, Norway, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Indonesia, monitored each phase of the exercises.

The IEC system is widely regarded as a benchmark for assessing the readiness and coordination of urban search-and-rescue units worldwide. Completing the full assessment cycle demonstrates Thailand’s commitment to aligning its national response systems with international expectations. According to participating officials, the process reinforced the value of multi-agency integration, particularly in complex urban scenarios where cooperation and rapid decision-making are critical.

Observers noted that the presence of international assessors ensured a rigorous review that will guide future operational improvements. With the assessment now completed, the next steps include reviewing the evaluator reports and applying any recommended enhancements to training, logistics and coordination procedures. USAR Thailand stated that its teams worked to the best of their abilities throughout the assessment and remain committed to continuous development.

INSARAG will issue its findings after final analysis by the multinational assessment panel. Any resulting classification is expected to enhance Thailand’s eligibility for international deployment and strengthen the country’s overall emergency-response framework. Officials say they are now awaiting the formal outcome and preparing for follow-up processes that accompany IEC evaluations.

Key Takeaways

• Thailand’s USAR teams have completed the INSARAG External Classification assessment held from 10–14 November 2025.

• Evaluators from eleven countries reviewed operations across five mandated areas.

• Assessment results will guide future capability improvements and support Thailand’s international rescue readiness.

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Bangkok Fire & Rescue 2025-11-16