The International Development Programme has been established by the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation to assist and share experience with rescue services around the world in order to address deficiencies in rescue and medical provision whilst operating in the pre hospital environment. The programme acknowledges the advances that the WRO and its regional members have made through the establishment of a recognised industry standard for vehicle rescue and care and that such an invaluable system would be able to provide opportunities to areas of the world that required assistance in developing rescue and emergency medical capabilities. Through the work of the IDP it is recognised that in some of the existing countries that it operates in, IDP Focus Countries, as many as 73% of those involved in road collisions die on scene, this compares sharply with countries which promote an integrated rescue systems and ensure that rescue and medical service personnel are adequately trained and resourced.

The programme meets the key objectives of the WRO by ‘providing a platform for rescue personnel throughout the world to share and advance rescue science and technology and to develop and enhance proficiency in vehicle rescue, incident command and medical care’. This is achieved through the provision of targeted training to existing rescue and medical crews and in some cases the lay-rescuer, establishment of national rescue organisations and the introduction of the rescue challenge concept.

The aim of the IDP is to identify countries who wish to develop their vehicle rescue and prehospital care capability. Potential countries known as IDP Focus Countries are identified by various means, which include road death and injury statistics, nomination from our partners and by direct approach from the countries themselves. Following initial contact, a survey of current procedures, practices and resources is carried out, this is achieved through various routes including, collaboration with partners, country based organisations, analysis and observation. It is recognised that each country will have its own specific approach to road death and injury reduction and prevention, therefore the IDP ensures that it provides an adequate and flexible response to meet the needs of each country. It is key to the work of the IDP and the international community that all projects are sustainable and capable of establishing self sufficiency within the area of training/support being provided. Following the initial research period each Focus Country is categorised under one of three development levels.

Currently the IDP is operating in, Spain, Poland, Ghana, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Germany, Luxemburg and the Russian Federation (Sakhalin). Over the coming months and years the IDP plans to expand the Focus Country programme, with current negotiations ongoing with a number of countries around the world.

The IDP, on behalf of the WRO has developed strategic alliances with organisations such as the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). In 2004 the WRO collaborated with the WHO VIP as part of the multi national committee tasked with the production of a Pre Hospital Trauma Care Systems guidance document. Launched on 28th June 2005 the PHTCS is now assisting low and middle income countries with the development of pre hospital care and rescue systems for dealing with RTC’s. The GRSP has recognised the work of the IDP and the importance of the aims of the WRO which compliment its own global RTC reduction strategies. Over the past four years the WRO, through the work of the International Development Programme has seen the development of a number of projects in countries such as Poland, Ghana and the latest seeing the provision of training to Rescue, Fire, Medical and Police officers in the Sakhalin region of the Russian Federation.