The leading authority of professionals discussing technical topics of research dedicated to the rescue industry.
Here is a brief summary of early history of the International Technical Rescue Symposium:
The germ of the idea for the Symposium actually came from John Dill. One day during a phone conversation, John suggested that what was needed was a forum exclusively devoted to technical rescue in which rescue people could freely exchange ideas and experiences. It was quite an inspiration, I thought, and so I subsequently discussed the idea with other persons.
What was needed, of course, was a way to make this idea into a practical reality. Also needed was an organization to sponsor the Symposium and back it financially. About that time, Steve Hudson was a member of the NASAR Board of Directors, and he was instrumental in NASAR being the first sponsor of the Symposium. Steve was also important in that he had practical experience in dealing with hotels and other such businesses involved with conferences.
Actually, the very first symposium was planned for San Luis Obispo (CA), but a low number of pre-registrations caused that first planned one to be cancelled before it was held.
The first actual Symposium took place the next year at CSU in Fort Collins. At the time, Rick Perkins was on the NASAR board and active in that organization, so he provided a critical link to Fort Collins, the Sheriff’s Department, Larimer County, and local support. Also, in his NASAR role, Rick was an active supporter of the Symposium.
Come join us on November 5th – 8th, 2015 in Portland, Oregon for the ITRS event! The yearly symposium is the leading forum for up to date, state-of-the-art, technical rescue information. Rescuers representing mountain, cave, fire, industrial, and swiftwater gather to discuss ways to improve safety and performance, and answer questions.
Best Presentations
2014 Winners
Most Practical Presentation – Roger and Amanada Mortimer – Specific Teaching Practices to Increase Learning in SAR Training
Best New Research – DJ Walker and Russell McCullar – Slow Pull Testing of Progress Capture Devices
Most Enjoyable Presentation – Mike Gibbs – Rigging for Rescue
Most Thought-Provoking Presentation – Kirk Mauthner – Moving Beyond 10:1 SSSF
Best Paper Provided – Tom Evans – Empirical Breaking Strengths of Single Prussiks of 4 Diameters on 11mm Static Rope
Steve Hudson Award (most votes overall) – Kirk Mauthner – Moving Beyond 10:1 SSSF
2013 Winners
Most Practical Presentation – Roger and Amanda Mortimer – Improving SAR Training
Best New Research – Cory Jackson – The Alpine Near-Miss Survey
Most Enjoyable Presentation – Allen Padgett and William “Buddy” Lane – A Complex Technical Rescue
Most Thought-Provoking Presentation – March Beverly and Stephen Attaway– Trackline Forces, Truth and Lore
Best Paper Provided – March Beverly and Stephen Attaway– Trackline Forces, Truth and Lore
Best Overall Presentation – March Beverly and Stephen Attaway– Trackline Forces, Truth and Lore
2012 Winners
Most Practical Presentation – Jeremy Metz – Scrub Oaks – Viable Anchor Source
Best New Research – Mike Gibbs – Multi-Point Anchor Systems
Most Enjoyable Presentation – John Dill – How Long Did Amelia Last?
Most Thought-Provoking Presentation – Kevin Dennis – Compatibility: Your Connection
Best Paper Provided – Matt Jacobs – It’s 2 am
Best Overall Presentation – Mike Gibbs – Multi-Point Anchor Systems
2011 Winners
Most Practical Presentation – Garin Wallace – Carabiner Rigging for Dummies
Best New Research – Michael Callahan – Extended Care Medical Technologies
Most Enjoyable Presentation – Ken Phillips – IKAR 2011 – Air Rescue Report
Most Thought-Provoking Presentations – Billy Masterson and Cloud – The Device That Saved Us
Best Paper Provided – Roger Mortimer – Suspension Trauma Revisited
Best Overall Presentations – Roger Mortimer – Suspension Trauma Revisited
2010 Winners
Most Practical Presentation – Rick Weber- How to Determine Tree Strength & Build Tree Anchors
Best New Research – Lang, Borowski, Onorato – The Impact of Controlled Conditioning on Prusik Loop Strength
Most Enjoyable Presentation – Kelly M. Byrne – The Defenestration Sensation
Most Thought-Provoking Presentations – Jeremy Metz – Lessons Learned from Aurora Fire Dept. High Angle Rope Training Accident
Best Paper Provided – Shelia Huss – Liability in Search and Rescue
Best Overall Presentations – Kelly M. Byrne – The Defenestration Sensation
2009 Winners
Most Practical Presentation –Jeremy Metz Crew Resource Management
Best New Research – Richard Farnham, Tim Holden, Bill May Utility of Rescue Randy
Most Enjoyable Presentation – IKAR Team 2009 IKAR Congress
Most Thought-Provoking Presentations – Garin Wallace High Cycle Fatigue Tests
Best Paper Provided – Philip Spinelli & David C Pylman Drop Testing for Viability
Best Overall Presentations – Mike Gibbs Parallel Plaquettes
2008 Winners
Best Overall Presentations – Beverly and Attaway – Ice Climbing Anchor System
Most Practical Presentation –Eady –NFPA – 1006 Technical Rescuer
Best New Research -Childs – EPRI – Rope Dielectric Test
Most Enjoyable Presentation – Red Mtn. School Bus FTX – Rooker & Miller
Most Thought-Provoking Presentations – Smith – 3-D Rigging
Best Paper Provided – Beverly and Attaway – Ice Climbing Anchor System
2007 Winners
Most Practical Presentation – Mike Gibbs
Best New Research – Mike Gibbs
Most Enjoyable Presentation – Mike Gibbs
Most Thought-Provoking Presentations – Jim Moss
Best Paper Provided – Charles Shimanski
Best Overall Presentations – Mike Gibbs
2006 Winners
Best Overall Presentations – Mike Gibbs
Most Practical Presentation – Mike Gibbs
Best New Research – Mark Beverly
Most Enjoyable Presentation – Ken Laidlaw
Most Thought-Provoking Presentations – Tom Myer
Best Paper Provided – Mike Gibbs
2005 Winners
Best Overall Presentations – Charley Shimanski – Situational Awareness
Most Practical Presentation – Mike Gibbs – Shock Loading of Lanyards
Best New Research -Multi-Point Anchor Systems – Beverly, Attaway, Scherzinger & Miller
Most Enjoyable Presentation – Glacier Travel – Low Stretch – Blain Smith
Most Thought-Provoking Presentations – NFPA Standards – Jim Kovach
Best Paper Provided – Multi-Point Anchor Systems – Beverly, Attaway, Scherzinger & Miller
2004 Winners
Best Overall Presentations – Mark Denvir
Most Practical Presentation – Mark Denvir
Best New Research – Mike Gibbs
Most Enjoyable Presentation – John McKently and Bruce Parker
Most Thought-Provoking Presentations – Tom Finch
Best Paper Provided – Eric Johnson
2003 Winners
Best Overall Presentations –
Most Practical Presentation –
Best New Research –
Most Enjoyable Presentation –
Most Thought-Provoking Presentations –
Best Paper Provided –
Not sure who got what but the checks were to: Jim Kovach, Mike Gibbs, Grant Pratley, Jeff Issac (2) and Peter Popall
2002 Winners
Best Overall Presentations –
Most Practical Presentation –
Best New Research –
Most Enjoyable Presentation –
Most Thought-Provoking Presentations –
Best Paper Provided –
Not sure who got what but the checks were to: Charley Shimanski, Art Fortini, Jeff Issac, Phillip Bishop and Steve Attaway
ITRS / NATRS History
- 1984 NATRS California – canceled
- 1985 NATRS Fort Collins CSU
- 1986 NATRS Fort Collins CSU
- 1987 NATRS Fort Collins Marriott
- 1988 NATRS Fort Collins Marriott
- 1989 NATRS Portland
- 1990 NATRS Salt Lake City Quality Inn – City Center was the sixth
- 1991 NATRS Albuquerque
- 1992 NATRS YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado
- 1993 NATRS Snowbird, Utah
- 1994 NATRS Doubletree Suites Hotel Phoenix, AZ
- 1995 NATRS Kelowna, BC with SAR Scene
- 1996 NATRS Las Vegas
- 1997 NATRS Long Beach, California
- 1998 NATRS Charlotte Marriott
- 1999 ITRS Ft. Collins Marriott
- 2000 ITRS Tucson Inn Suites
- 2001 ITRS Denver Marriott West
- 2002 ITRS Denver Marriott West
- 2003 ITRS Salt Lake City Marriott
- 2004 ITRS Albuquerque Marriott
- 2005 ITRS Fort Collins Marriott
- 2006 ITRS Denver Marriott West
- 2007 ITRS Denver Marriott West
- 2008 ITRS Albuquerque Marriott
- 2009 ITRS Pueblo Colorado Marriott & Convention Center
- 2010 ITRS Denver Marriott West – Steve E. Hudson rec’d 1st Lifetime Contribution Award
- 2011 ITRS Fort Collins Marriott
- 2012 ITRS Seattle Renaissance – John Dill & Tom Vines rec’d Lifetime Contribution Awards
- 2013 ITRS Albuquerque Marriott
- 2014 ITRS Denver Marriott West
