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Impact Response Card

Impact Response Card is a simple risk assessment for a changing climate. It is a tool that systematically evaluates climate readiness across multiple hazards and five key operational domains – People, Assets, Facilities, Operations, and Administration. It helps a SAR organisation take one hazard – say, more frequent storms, hotter summers, or coastal flooding – and turn lived experience into a short, shared assessment and action plan.

Once completed, each IRC feeds back into the dashboard at the Impact Response Card Library, turning individual forms into a living global adaptation library that is traceable, time-bound, and ready for monitoring. Before submitting, you can choose how much of the content you wish to share with the wider SAR community – just the hazard ID, the risk table as well, or the full action plan. Your personal details will always stay private. 

You can submit your own assessments through the form below. The submission will be visible in the Impact Response Card Library in about 24 hours. You can specify the content that is displayed. You will also receive an edit link, through which you can update your response. If you have lost your edit link, please contact [email protected].

Before completing the form, you can download a PDF-file with explanations of the scales used in the assessment (available also on the form). You can find the Impact Response Card here. If you cannot see the embedded form, you can access the form directly through this link.

IRC Library

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) is dedicated to supporting search and rescue (SAR) organisations around the globe in addressing climate change challenges. Our Impact Response Card (IRC) Library is a vital initiative aimed at helping SAR providers mitigate risks and adapt operations effectively. Adaptation is not just an option; it’s a necessity to ensure successful and safe search and rescue missions. The IRC Library is part of the IMRF's commitment to empowering SAR organisations in addressing these challenges effectively.

When a team completes an Impact Response Card, it should not disappear into someone’s inbox. The Library turns each card into a shared, living resource that other SAR organisations can learn from – while still giving the original author control over what is shown. The IRC Library is a collection of completed IRCs containing valuable insights, simple risk assessments, and practical advice tailored to SAR organisations.

Using the library is simple. Just access the user interface to scroll through the pre-filled Impact Response Cards. Select the cards that match your organisation’s requirements and incorporate the strategies to improve resilience in your SAR operations. The cards are grouped by categories, enabling smooth and efficient navigation. The Library works best on a laptop.

IMRF Position Paper: Building Climate Resilience in Global Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR)

You can download this important paper here.

If you have any questions and/or would like any further information or to assist us with our #FutureSAR Initiative, please contact Jaakko Heikkilä at [email protected].

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