John Dill of Yosemite Search and Rescue originally conceived of the idea for a symposium dedicated exclusively to technical rescue, where ideas, practices and experiences could be shared in the spirit of advancing rescue methodology.

To bring this idea to fruition, an organization was sought to sponsor the symposium and back it financially. At the time, Steve Hudson of Pigeon Mountain Industries was a member of the NASAR Board of Directors and was instrumental in NASAR (National Association for Search And Rescue) becoming the first sponsor of NATRS (North American Technical Rescue Symposium).

In 1998, NASAR opted to discontinue its sponsorship of NATRS. Steve Hudson then contacted Jim Frank, founder of CMC Rescue, and suggested that PMI and CMC Rescue become sponsors, to which both parties agreed. The name of the symposium was changed to the International Technical Rescue Symposium (ITRS) and was held in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1999.

Today, ITRS is proudly co-hosted by CMC and PMI. The annual symposium is open to anyone who registers – up to 150 presenters/attendees. Those who attend represent a broad spectrum of the technical rescue community including fire, mountain, cave, urban, industrial and swiftwater rescue. Presenters share their own research, testing, and field experience for the benefit of all to consider and apply, and the symposium size provides an ideal setting for active discussion and learning.