Canine Search Specialist Training Unit 10: Canine Search Strategies and Tactics

Unit Objective At the completion of this session, you will be able to describe how the Search Team interacts with other functions and disciplines during Task Force operations

Enabling Objectives Describe the different phases of a mission Identify disaster types and magnitudes Describe search and rescue operations Describe primary and secondary searches modalities Describe the types of searches conducted (physical, canine, and technical) Describe structure hazards and marking systems

Structure Triage Versus Recon Operations

Structure Triage In most US incidents it will be done by the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) It could also be performed by a FEMA TF if they were assigned a group of structures in a large or overwhelming incident

Typical First Hours of Deployment Deploy to site from staging Typical First Hours of Deployment Base of Ops set-up Four or more bldgs Structure Triage 2-Structure Spec 2-HAZMAT Spec (may split into two teams) Develop priorities and plan Recon

Typical First Hours of Deployment-Maybe? Recon Ops Recon Ops Recon Ops

Disaster Type and Magnitude

Disaster Type and Magnitude Recon team deployment options are up to TF leadership Three possible scenarios follow

Type 1 Scenario A few bldgs Use TF in blitz mode Recon team assigned to each building Recon team stays to aid in rescue operations A few bldgs

Type 2 Scenario 5-10 bldgs Large disaster or limited resources Start with blitz on highest priority buildings Recon team must get instruction from TFL after primary search- go to next or stay to help rescue 5-10 bldgs

Type 3 Scenario Many bldgs Many small buildings (Kobe) Recon team deployed for primary search Rescue should be relatively simple and fast Deploy rescue without structure or search Could enhance TF with US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) Many bldgs

Search and Recon Operations

Recon Team Operations Recon operations are the foundation of the task force's mission

Recon Team Ops Task Force Leaders and Team Managers must implement a comprehensive search plan TF capabilities and limitations are considered Input from AHJ or Structure Triage Understanding of all available search methods Search operations are what enable the rest of the TF to begin their part of the operations

Getting Started (assigned a building or area)

Gather Information Record on TF Search Plan Worksheet, Search Area or Site Plan, Lost Person Data Type of building? (Occupancy) Type of collapse voids? Potential victim location? (stairways, elevator shafts, basements) Hazards to both rescuer and victim?

Gather Information (continued) What is the source of the information?(size-up and recon, witnesses bystanders, building engineers) Documentation is the only way to justify your request for support and for your actions IF IT IS NOT WRITTEN DOWN, IT DID NOT HAPPEN

Recon Team Who takes on this task? Information must be gathered Assessment is critical Task Force capabilities must be considered Structural and hazardous conditions must be avoided and noted

Recon Team (continued) Utilities must be secured Sketches are prepared A PRIMARY search is done Victims may be located at this time Communications with TF Leader is maintained

A Recon Team

Recon Team (continued) Recon Team is made up of Search Team Mgr (1) Canine Search Spcls (2) Tech Search Spcl (1) Medical Spcl (1) Structures Spcl (1) HAZMAT Spcl (1) Rescue Spcls (2)

Recon Team (continued) The Recon Team may function in PRIMARY mode of Search in this Phase One and Phase Two type of search operation

Search and Rescue Phases Phase One-all search operations begin with this phase Hazard Assessment of the collapsed area Requires a plot plan, site ID, and is properly recorded on search area or site plan

Search and Rescue Phases (continued) Phase Two-removal of all surface victims as quickly and safely as possible

Search and Rescue Phases (continued) Phase Three-search and rescue of victims from accessible void spaces Rescue squads usually involved in Phases 3, 4 and 5 Phase Four-selected debris removal to locate and rescue victims Phase Five-general debris removal and usually conducted after all known victims have been removed

Search Modalities Primary search-conducted in phase two and three to quickly detect the presence of survivors Secondary search-conducted during Phase 3 and 4 to pinpoint the exact location of victims

Types of Searches

Types of Searches Physical Canine Technical

Physical Search Must have an organized approach to victim locating

Physical Search (continued) Most effective during daylight hours Most easily implemented Can be done with available resources Requires minimal training

Physical Search (continued) Probably done prior to TF arrival Locates surface and readily accessible victims Must make sure not to miss any area Searching same area twice is probable

Physical Search (continued) Should involve safety personnel Structural Specialist HAZMAT personnel Documentation is imperative

Physical Search (continued) ID and remove surface victims Note location of any other victims Call out utilizing the hailing system

Physical Void Search

Physical Void Search (continued) Used in initial phase and throughout the rescue operation, as necessary Must be organized and systematic to avoid duplication of effort or missing areas Begin operation in most likely areas of survivability

Physical Void Search (continued) Talk to persons who may have knowledge of the building or of possible persons inside Care must be taken because of need to be within the damaged structure during this operation Remember safety is your number one concern Know the evacuation plan and signals

Hailing System Can be quickly trained incorporating the help of locals, which also builds good will Personnel are spaced 25' to 50' apart around the site to be searched Must call for silence and halt work around the site (may be very difficult to do)

Hailing System (continued) Each searcher calls out saying "If you can hear me call out for help or knock five times" (searcher may also knock five times on an object, usually metal, to elicit a response) An attempt to get a "fix" on a response is made Triangulation of the sound is the means to locate the source and victim

Search Patterns Must be an organized approach Includes mapping and GPS Remember, documentation is important

Basic Search Patterns Should use a right hand pattern maintaining contact with the wall at all times A need to exit can be done by reversing your direction maintaining a left-hand contact with the wall

Line Search Line search is used for a large open area

Canine Search

Canine Search Certified canine team provides the best way to locate trapped victims in a large area in the shortest amount of time They are able to access areas that are either to small or to unstable for us to enter Can be used in both a primary and secondary search operation A redundant alert is most desirable in victim verification

Canine Search (continued) A safety observer is needed during this time since the handler is focused on their partner and may be unaware of surrounding hazards Handler must constantly be aware of the condition of their partner (hydration, any injuries, and fatigue) Alert those on the site as to what to look for when your dog is working and what their conduct should be

Canine Search (continued) Canines can be used to confirm potential victims located by technical equipment Optimize canine performance by using them in appropriate scenting conditions Canines are the best tool for detecting unresponsive victims Strategies

Technical Search Three types of electronic search equipment Search Cam Fiber Optic Acoustic

Search Cam Monitor attached to a probe with both visual and sound transmission and receiving capabilities

Search Cam (continued) Can give a positive verification to an alert by canine team Assist with victim position and entrapment in rubble Limited to a straight line of entry into rubble with a 90-degree movement at the end of probe

Fiber Optic A flexible tube of glass rods used to transmit an image back up to a lens End of flex tube has the ability to be moved at a 90° angle No sound transmission abilities Difficult to guide tube into desired location Also, many TFs use rigid borescopes

Flexible fiberscope Rigid borescope

Electronic Search Tools Delsar® Compact Life Detector

Electronic Search Tools Used in much the same way as the hailing system Best as a detection device Can triangulate the location of a victim who is making a noise to attract attention Can be used for detection, by using two sensors (rotate one around the other to “point” at the victim’s sound) This can be very slow process

Electronic Search Tools (continued) May have the site shut down some operations to be able to listen for the victim Newer systems can filter out machine sounds Continued training is necessary to competently operate system

Typical Collapse Patterns These are the typical collapse patterns that are used to predict where victims may be found These are patterns that are taught thru-out the world, but mostly apply to URM buildings. Their recognition is useful in predicting victim location, as well as areas in need of shoring

Lean-to Vee Pancaked Cantilever

Lean-to Collapse Coalinga 1984

Pancake Collapse Mexico City 1985

Cantilever and V-Shape Collapse Coalinga 1984

Lean-Over Building Many of these occurred during earthquakes in Kobe and Taiwan Not to be confused with lean-to collapse Caused by weak or “soft” 1st story

Overturned Collapse Taiwan 1999

Vehicle Involvement

Structure Hazard and Search Marking Systems

Structure Hazard and Search Marking Systems Information gathered by TF personnel must be represented in a standardized fashion to ensure uniformity and clarity FEMA TF Marking System is divided into two sections Structure and Hazards Evaluation Marking Search Assessment Marking

Structure and Hazards Evaluation Will be conducted by your Structural and Hazardous Materials Specialists As first action of Search and Recon Team Structure ID may be done at this time If not already done by AHJ or Structure Triage Team

Structure and Hazards Evaluation (continued) Structure and Hazards Marking Should be made when Structure and HAZMAT Specialists leave a building Provide the Info to anyone who follows

Structural Markings (2 ft orange square at all entries) BE EASY BE CAREFUL NO GO No significant hazards OK but some hazards * High Risk Hazards Do Not Enter until mitigation has occurred * Canine may search perimeter

Structural Markings 14OCT04 2015 HRS HM - NATURAL GAS OR-1 Arrow indicates safest way to enter

Maintaining Markings As new searches are made or conditions change new information will be written below original information or a new box will be made Marking boxes may also be applied to interior rooms or areas denoting conditions in separate parts of the building Not often done with Structure/Hazard Mark More common with Search Mark

Search Markings A separate and distinct marking system is necessary to denote information concerning victims and hazardous locations within the searched area It is to be used in conjunction with the Structure/Hazards Evaluation marking system

Search Markings (continued) When you ENTER CA-2 2-24 1150 Search Team Identifier Date of Entry Time of Entry Single slash Structure or room

Search Markings (continued) When you exit - incomplete search Date and Time Search Team left the structure 2-24 1520 CA-2 2-24 1150 RATS Hazards 2-L 3-D Total victims still inside the structure

Search Markings (continued) When you EXIT – completed search 2-24 1520 Date and Time Search Team left the Structure CA-2 2-24 1150 RATS Hazards 2-L 3-D Total Victims still Inside the structure Floors Searched/ or Quadrants Floors = F Quadrants = Q F 1 - 4

Search Markings (continued) Interior Search Markings When you ENTER When you EXIT Identify Any Hazards Identify Any Victims

still inside structure still inside structure Date and time Search Team left structure 2130 HRS Task Force Identifier CA-6 RATS Hazards 1150 1 - L 3 - D 1 Live Victim still inside structure 3 Dead Victims still inside structure

Internal Search of Buildings While inside the building a 2’ “X” will be placed at the entrance to each room or area with only information relating to victim numbers (live or dead) and any hazardous conditions contained within that area Main entrance and internal markings must be updated with corrected information whenever new searches are made

POTENTIAL VICTIM REMOVED VICTIM CONFIRMED LIVE VICTIM CONFIRMED DEAD VICTIM

Search Assessment and Victim Marking Examples

Plan view of 5 interior spaces, 3 victims, and 1 hazard Exit Empty Water Entry

Go right and stay right (may go left or split and go both ways) Exit Entry Exit Start

     Exit Entry Water 1-Live 2- Dead 10/12/04 1500 HR CA-6 Water 1430 1-L 2-D

Unit Summary and Evaluation

Unit Summary Describe the different phases of a mission Identify disaster types and magnitudes Describe search and rescue operations Describe primary and secondary searches modalities Describe the types of searches conducted (physical, canine, and technical) Describe structure hazards and marking systems

Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation on this unit