1. US&R Search Terms and Procedures

2. Relevant Victim Location Information
Building use
Type of occupancy
Expected number of occupants
Time of day and day of week
Type of collapse
Associated hazards
Possible victim locations

3. Sources of Information
Pre-incident site plan
Size-up and reconnaissance information
Verbal reports
Rescued victims, co-workers, witnesses, relatives
Contractors and building engineers

4. Types of US&R Search Hasty Search (Primary Search)
Rapid assessment
Assists in size-up
Helps determine priorities
Extensive/Grid Search (Secondary Search)
Thorough systematic search
Redundant search
Verification of victim location with alternate resources
Confirms “exact” victim location

5. US&R Search Categories
Physical search
US&R canine search
Technical search
Effectiveness of various categories of search types

6. Physical Search Deployment of personnel for physical search Advantages
Resources readily available
No high tech equipment/procedures needed
Can use volunteers
Visual sighting provides victim location verification

7. Physical Search Disadvantages Only for surface victims
Best during only daylight hours
Dangerous for search personnel
May miss some victims

8. Hailing System Procedures
Surround search site with personnel
Call for silence
Personnel call out one by one – use clockwise rotation
After each call out, ALL personnel listen for response and point to direction of sound
Triangulate on victim location – may have multiple “fixes”

9. Hailing System Advantages Resources readily available
No high tech equipment/procedures needed
Triangulates on victim location
Can be used day or night with relative safety

10. Hailing System Disadvantages
Effectiveness diminishes after time due to victims decreasing ability to respond
Additional search tactics may be needed to pinpoint the exact location of the victim
May not locate all victims in collapse

11. Physical Search Procedures
Organize personnel to search area
Requires team leader
Establish good communications with IC
Use buddy system
Use building plans to plot progress and direct teams
Use hailing procedure if appropriate
Use proper search marking procedures
Enter if structure is sound

12. Physical Search Options
Search in organized manner
Don’t skip any rooms unless areas is unsafe
Small Rooms or areas
“Go right - stay right” method
Large rooms or areas
Line - search method

13. Contact with Victims Encourage victims not to give up
Explain situation
Assess victim position, entrapment and medical condition
“Interview” victim about other occupants
Leave rescuer(s) with victim if safe
Continue search until all victims are accounted for
Report to IC with findings

14. US&R Canine Search
Specially trained and certified canine and handler teams
Caution using other non-certified canines form PD or wilderness environment
Possible harm to handler, victims or canines to trained for urban collapse environments

15. Canine Search Advantages Can cover large areas in a short time span
Used for both Hasty and Extended grid searches
Can detect deeply buried victims who are able to or not able to respond themselves
Can differentiate between live or dead victims

16. Canine Search Disadvantages Very limited number or available teams
Can be temperamental
Canines affected by weather and physical condition
Additional search modes may have to be used to confirm victim location

17. Technical Search Three primary types Requires trained users Expensive
Electronic listening devices
Visual search devices
Other electronic devices
Requires trained users
Expensive
Some instruments very delicate

18. Listening Devices Advantages Very sensitive to deeply buried victims
Can cover large areas and pinpoint location of victims
Less sophisticated devices may be used by public works departments

19. Listening Devices Disadvantages
Usefulness of device diminishes with victims condition
Best when ambient noise is low
Should be used with hailing method
Does not locate all victims

20. Visual Search Devices Video and Optical Advantages
Provides conclusive verification of victim location
Some devices can access openings ¼ inch wide and extend up to 10 feet deep
Flexible
Doesn’t require verification

21. Visual Search Devices Disadvantages Requires skilled operator
Limited field and depth of view
Limited reach
Does not locate call possible victims

22. Other Search Devices Thermal sensing devices
Can see through smoke but not walls or even heavy dust
Infrared and UV sensing devices
Sees light radiation
Used for covert surveillances – not for US&R
Electromagnetic wave detection – Radar
Can detect heartbeat and respirations through 10 feet of concrete and steel debris