SCT App A - 1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training Structural Collapse Technician Training Appendix A Search Capabilities Jan09

SCT App A - 2 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training TERMINAL OBJECTIVES The student shall understand the capabilities of the US&R Task Force Search Team. The student shall be prepared to function as the Rescue Specialist member of a Search Team

SCT App A - 3 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training ENABLING OBJECTIVES Discuss the Rapid Recon process Understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various search methods and tools used by a US&R Task Force Understand the basics of search strategy for the Detection and Location of Victims

SCT App A - 4 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training INTRODUCTION Search & Rescue needs close interaction of all Task Force elements Search starts early and continues to the end of the incident Search consists of Detection and Location Many tools and methods are available Some are better at either Detection or Location – Some do well at both Need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each tool

SCT App A - 5 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training SEARCH STRATEGY & PRIORITIZATION Search used in the past to prioritize a multi- building incident – too slow Structure Triage – also too slow Intended to pre-prioritize bldgs for search teams New Rapid Recon Process Recon Team, Followed by Search Teams Time of incident vs. Occupancy may be critical Prioritization may be done by others or by Task Force

SCT App A - 6 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training Original RECON TEAM Search Team Manager Two Canine Search Specialists Technical Search Specialist Medical Specialist Structural Specialist Hazmat Specialist Two Rescue Specialists

SCT App A - 7 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training NEW, RAPID RECON – 3 Phases Assessment Team Struct & Hazmat Spec + Tech Info Spec & Search Tm Mgr Quick Assessment of a few buildings at a time Initial prioritization Victim Detection Team STM, 2 - K9 Teams, Tech Search, 2 - Rescue, Med Spec, Struct Spec, Hazmat Spec Victim Detection & detailed Hazard Assessment Victim Location Team STM, 2 – K9 Teams, Tech Search, 2 – Rescue, Med Spec, possibly Struct & Hazmat Spec (from detection Team) Victim Location, Initial Treatment, & start rescue

SCT App A - 8 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training SEARCH TEAM EQUIPMENT Electric hammer drills Electronic viewing equipment Electronic listening equipment Atmospheric monitoring equipment Marking materials Structure Evaluate equip Distance, laser range finder Height, clinometer Recording devices

SCT App A - 9 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training SEARCH TEAM EQUIPMENT Bull horn for hailing - air horn for signaling Medical pack Personal gear Water Safety equipment Canine Search & Recon equipment needs to be loaded in position to be unloaded among “First Off” items

SCT App A - 10 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training PHYSICAL VOID SEARCH Advantages No special equipment required People easily trained to support effort

SCT App A - 11 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training PHYSICAL VOID SEARCH Disadvantages Limited access to voids May be dangerous Will not locate unconscious, weak, young

SCT App A - 12 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training AUDIBLE CALL-OUT Advantages No special equipment required People easily trained to support effort Searchers can inform victim of response Can be used with listening device

SCT App A - 13 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training AUDIBLE CALL-OUT Disadvantages Will not locate unconscious, weak, young Sound of knocking may be too weak for audible detection

SCT App A - 14 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training VISUAL SEARCH DEVICES Mostly used for location Flexible Fiberscopes Rigid Borescopes Video Search Cameras

SCT App A - 15 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training FLEXIBLE FIBERSCOPES

SCT App A - 16 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training FLEXIBLE FIBERSCOPES

SCT App A - 17 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training RIGID BORESCOPES

SCT App A - 18 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training FIBERSCOPES & BORESCOPES Advantages Finds position & condition of victim Useful to verify other search tactics just prior to starting rescue operations Used to monitor victim during rescue Disadvantages Difficult to use in extended holes due to flexible cable, limited length of rigid scope, and limited light sources

SCT App A - 19 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training SEARCH CAMERAS Video camera Video Cable Video display CRT - older LCD - newer

SCT App A - 20 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training Original unit Pole mounted 1 3/4” camera 7” BW/CRT Mic/Speaker Built-in light source SEARCH CAMERAS SearchCam

SCT App A - 21 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training Newer Unit Power controls Articulating head Variable LED light Two-way audio Extendable probe 2- LED screen ports Interchangeable batteries SEARCH CAMERAS SearchCam SearchCam® 2000 Courtesy of Search Systems Incorporated

SCT App A - 22 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training SEARCH CAMERAS Zistos WalkAbout

SCT App A - 23 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training Dual Thermal Head Thermal Video

SCT App A - 24 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training Manual articulation LED light head LED screen Rechargeable battery Waterproof Flexible Lower cost SEARCH CAMERAS Snake-Eye

SCT App A - 25 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training SEARCH CAMERAS Advantages Easily understood Possibility to record picture Useful to verify other search tactics just prior to starting rescue operations Used to monitor victim during rescue Disadvantages Size, cost, and power requirements Straight line of sight

SCT App A - 26 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training INFRARED/THERMA IMAGING

SCT App A - 27 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training INFRARED/THERMAL IMAGING Advantages Equipment often locally available Can be used to survey large, open, dark areas Disadvantages Cannot detect heat difference through solids Sources other than human can be detected

SCT App A - 28 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training ELECTRONIC LISTENING DEVICES

SCT App A - 29 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training Sensor Attachment

SCT App A - 30 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training ELECTRONIC LISTENING DEVICES Advantages Able to cover large area as a Detector Can triangulate on victim position Capable of picking up faint noise/vibration Used in conjunction w/other search tools to verify find

SCT App A - 31 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training ELECTRONIC LISTENING DEVICES Disadvantages Unconscious victims not detected Ambient nose level may need to be lowered Victim needs to create noise pattern Limited range (acoustic=25ft, seismic=75ft) Can be used to locate victims, but may be relatively slow

SCT App A - 32 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training ELECTRONIC LISTENING DEVICES All Task Forces have these devices Listen to acoustic or seismic vibration Normally deploy two or more sensors Hailing device used to get victim response Can Detect if live victim is in structure

SCT App A - 33 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training ELECTRONIC LISTENING DEVICES May Locate proper layer in pancake collapse Takes time to Locate victims - move sensors Compared signals only good if sensors are matched and anchored in similar materials Sensors best in solid/dense materials

SCT App A - 34 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training ELECTRONIC LISTENING DEVICES Can use two sensors to Locate victims by keeping strong signal in place and moving other in circle. More difficult to Locate victim in collapsed structures containing different materials w/different degrees of fracture Second operator should be used to confirm

SCT App A - 35 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training CANINE SEARCH West Coast, Undisciplined, Document Shredding Type

SCT App A - 36 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training K9 can be used in physical search, but are mostly used for their noses not to stand on their Tippy- toses’es CANINE SEARCH

SCT App A - 37 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training CANINE BASICS Dogs use keen sense of smell to differentiate scent find marijuana in gas tank Can be trained to detect/indicate the difference between live victim, dead, food, other animals Essential to deploy only well trained canine K9 needs to have been trained to work in the collapsed structure environment. K9 normally Detect and Locate victims simultaneously Detection may require Interpretation by a well trained Handler

SCT App A - 38 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training DISASTER CANINE TRAINING Requires special training beyond Normal SAR K9 Alert system - Bark & Dig Agility Direction & control Collapsed structure environment

SCT App A - 39 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training DISASTER CANINE TRAINING Requires at least 2 years to Train a Disaster Dog 200+ FEMA Certified K9 Need min of 4 K9 per TF x 3  Total for 28 TFs =336 Many TF have adequate numbers of K9

SCT App A - 40 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training CANINE SEARCH STRATEGY Search Mgr, Tech Search Spec, and Canine Spec survey site to determine overall strategy Need to consider: Time of day & temperature Type & direction of wind Size of search area & type of collapse

SCT App A - 41 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training CANINE SEARCH STRATEGY Site normally divided into small sectors Trained to bark & dig at scent source Search Mgr needs to draw crude map to record location of finds, etc

SCT App A - 42 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training CANINE SEARCH TACTICS From safe zone, 1st Canine Search Team deploys to free search sector If no alerts, directs canine in fine grid search Search Mgr & 2nd Canine Search Team observe from different vantage points If 1st Canine Search Team has alerts or not, 2nd Canine Search Team will repeat & verify 1st team’s results

SCT App A - 43 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training CANINE SEARCH TACTICS (continued) Alert is marked only after confirmation by a 2nd team. Remaining sectors are searched & marked until entire are is covered. Scent channels around solid slabs, etc & canine will indicate where scent is emerging, not necessarily where victim is precisely located.

SCT App A - 44 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training CANINE SEARCH TACTICS (cont.) Scent tends to raise evenly through broken rubble & lighter structures Continued re-searching of structure as it is accessed/uncovered will give best results

SCT App A - 45 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training WORKING CONDITIONS Best: Dawn, dusk Cool weather Light winds Stable rubble Light rain

SCT App A - 46 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training Sometimes Conditions Are NOT going to be Good

SCT App A - 47 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training WORKING CONDITIONS Difficult Hot weather (above 90F) Mid-day with temps above 80F Strong wind and no wind Snow/ice made slippery footing/hides surfaces Firefighting foam & other chemicals

SCT App A - 48 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training CANINE PROS Advantages: Search large area in shortest time Can gain access to hidden areas Can work in dangerous areas Can detect unconscious victims

SCT App A - 49 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training CANINE CONS Disadvantages: Rest periods Use of two to confirm Performance may vary  Uncertified to certified  Basic to advanced  Handler to handler Scarce resource

SCT App A - 50 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training ELECTRONIC & CANINE SEARCH COMBINATION Mexico City 1985 Quake had success using crude electronics with K9. Most common combo is to use electronics to Detect and K9 to Locate. In large pancake concrete collapse, electronic may be able to indicate which level contains victim, canine to pinpoint on that level.

SCT App A - 51 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training ELECTRONIC & CANINE SEARCH COMBINATION (continued) During hot daytime canine do not work well & electronic may be able to direct canine to proper sector, etc. For badly broken structures, canine may be most effective for initial search. For structures w/large concrete slabs or steel structures, electronics may be most effective. If both search tools are available they should be used to confirm each other.

SCT App A - 52 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training WORK SITE PRIORITIZATION Search tactics will be determined only after assignment is known. Type of initial search (canine, electronic, call-out, other) will then be determined: Electronic search is slower but may be more effective than others Canine can cover large areas but need verification & adequate scent Call-out may be most positive

SCT App A - 53 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training WORK SITE PRIORITIZATION In some cases, physical, canine, & electronic search may be conducted in the same, large structure Once general area of trapped victims is determined, fiber-optics or video camera viewing may be used: Determine exact position & condition. Cameras may be used for initial victim Location by cutting grid of holes thru conc. or wood floor

SCT App A - 54 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training SUMMARY The Search Task may require the Detection and Location of many victims. Proper use of all available search tools will enable the most favorable outcome. The Task Force will be assigned to the most difficult & time consuming structures. The search function must be able to Detect and Locate viable victims before committing the TF to a prolonged rescue effort.

SCT App A - 55 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training SUMMARY (continued) All need to understand the limitations & advantages of each search tool. Interaction between hazard assessment and search deployment must be close & efficient. Assessments should be performed thru- out operations since aftershocks & debris/structure removal can expose new hazards & new search opportunities.

SCT App A - 56 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training K-9 DEMONSTRATION Training Alert at Demolished Stadium Site

SCT App A - 57 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training Overall Site View

SCT App A - 58 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training K-9 is deliberately directed to work in structure above victim K-9 Finds Scent

SCT App A - 59 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training After finding scent, K-9 goes in opposite direction to more safely get to victim

SCT App A - 60 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training K-9 now carefully moving in

SCT App A - 61 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training K-9 attempting to penetrate into victim location

SCT App A - 62 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training Now Video will illustrate Live Victim Find in Real Time

SCT App A - 63 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Structural Collapse Technician Training