ICAR Structure

Strategy Project – Initiative 1

ICAR Structure

As part of the strategic project, the following questions were raised in connection with this initiative, and answers were formulated:

Who do we serve, what service do we provide?

We are a worldwide organization in which delegates from our members primarily work to achieve results for our members. ICAR is a forum for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, ideas, and developments between its members, as well as with its partners.

The results of our work (statements, recommendations, ICAR conference materials etc.) are shared with our members and are also publicly available free of charge to all mountain rescuers worldwide.

 

As a worldwide open platform for providing information to mountain rescuers, what is our scope and focus?

ICAR is a global umbrella organisation with a focus on mountain rescue, whose members are primarily national mountain rescue organisations.

We expect from our members the highest quality levels in training, exercises, and rescue operations. Being an ICAR member is proof of the relevance and national importance of the member mountain rescue organisation.

Our members must be involved in the national rescue service system. There must be a sufficient number of rescue stations and members to meet the requirements of the national rescue system.

A sufficient number of rescue operations also ensures the operational readiness of the organization.

We prefer nationwide umbrella organizations to local rescue units. Local rescue units should be encouraged to become members of the nationwide umbrella organization.

This approach ensures the greatest possible experience in terms of education, training, and the range of operations.

If there is no nationwide umbrella organization, local rescue organizations should only be accepted with reservations.

 

Is our website and Congress for only the national organizations, and do we depend on them to be the open platform for providing information to the mountain rescuers?

All our publications are freely available to everyone in the public section of our website.
The internal section of our website is reserved for our members and their delegates, as well as our partners.

In the internal section, we work on open topics and provide internal information.

 

What is our role with International and National Regulators such as American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (Category 5.1 in our Strategic Framework)

We refer to the existing Situation:

• We are working together with EASA on mountain rescue related topics
• Via UIAA Safecom – Regarding Equipment - Working together with TestLabs and Companies

Version from 08.04.2026 – after our Board Meeting
Version from 28.04.2026 – after Input from Gregor
Final Version from 10.06.2026