SERVE ON International Response Team Selection Weekend 2026

From February 13–15 2026, SERVE ON delivered its latest International Response Team (IRT) Selection Weekend, a demanding and carefully designed process to identify volunteers capable of deploying to disaster zones in the UK and overseas.

Selection weekend is intentionally challenging. Candidates are placed into a realistic disaster scenario and assessed across a series of evolving tasks designed to test resilience, teamwork, leadership, emotional intelligence, and the ability to operate under sustained pressure. While practical skills are valuable, the emphasis is firmly on mindset and character specialist capabilities can be taught; integrity, humility, and composure cannot.

This year, the exercise was strengthened by the support of K9SARNI, whose specialist live-scent search dogs and handlers played a key role in scenario realism. Their involvement added another operational dimension to the assessment, challenging candidates to work effectively alongside canine assets an important component of modern search capability.

Often described as “type 2 fun,” the weekend is physically demanding and mentally draining, but also deeply rewarding. It marks the beginning of bonds built on trust an essential foundation when operating in hazardous environments such as collapsed structures or flood conditions.

Dr Andrew Prowse, one of the candidates, reflected on his experience:

He said: “Tough, tiring, and with unexpected challenges. But fun and fulfilling as it drew to an end.

“It was a good introduction to the organisation, and the standards that would be expected of you. The members of Serve On that were running selection were professional and fair, and the ‘recruits’ that they had found were friendly and enthusiastic.

“I had a great weekend, with a long nap needed to finish!”

Explaining his motivation to join, he added: “I found out about Serve On through friends.

“They described a tight-knit group of enthusiastic people, with a focus on one goal Search and Rescue. In the UK taking the form of Flood Rescue, improving the country’s resilience to expected climate changes. Internationally taking the form of highly skilled natural disaster Search and Rescue. I am excited to take the opportunity to learn from this set of people, and provide something to my community. Skills that I learn, such as management of unexpected scenarios, will also be transferrable to my career and wider life. I can’t wait to start!”

Those selected from the weekend will now begin a comprehensive 18–24 month training programme, culminating in a final five day assessment. Training includes the use of specialist search equipment to detect signs of life within collapsed structures, advanced casualty extrication techniques, water rescue competencies, and the use of recognised international command and control systems that allow seamless integration with partner teams from other nations.

Selection is now complete. For those chosen and who chose to accept the challenge the journey towards earning their diamond begins.