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International Search and Rescue Response Guidelines
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Duties of The OSOCC In a
SAR Operation
Table of Contents:
Introduction
- The mission of the UN OSOCC is to assist the LEMA with the
management of the disaster, in particular the coordination
of international SAR. UN OSOCC may be established in consultation with the
UN and the affected country. On site operations are however determined by
LEMA in Coordination with OSOCC. The OSOCC will normally be established by using
resources from the Field Coordination Support Unit (FCSU) of the Disaster
Response Branch (DRB) of UN OCHA Geneva and the UNDAC system.
- The UN OSOCC will assess the need for and use of international teams, communicate their operational capabilities and provide support to the country and LEMA in managing operations and logistical support for incoming teams. The UN OSOCC will in general :
- Recommend assignments for teams based on their known
capabilities.
- Identify team support requirements and provide advice on
the most efficient means of incorporation into the affected
country's disaster response efforts.
- Coordinate with LEMA officials from the disaster location
and present a clear picture of the capabilities and logistical
requirements of the incoming teams.
- The OSOCC may need to interact with various entities
present at the disaster site/in country. A schematic diagramme
of possible entities is at Appendix A.
- The UN OSOCC should develop a written document that
details the objectives of the incoming international teams.
This document should be agreed upon and signed by LEMA and the
UN OSOCC.
- If teams arrive prior to OSOCC being established they must ensure actions normally taken by OSOCC for reception and OSOCC functions are initiated by them.
- If an OSOCC is established, teams must ensure they assign a person to assist the OSOCC in its functions.
Preparedness Phase
- OSOCC to prepare appropriate marking of Reception Centre for SAR teams and OSOCC location i.e. flags etc.
- OSOCC should be prepared to register team capacity data on arrival and make necessary information available to LEMA and media.
- FCSU, OCHA Geneva to have personnel ready to be picked up by the nearest SAR team leaving for disaster site in order to
establish an OSOCC.
In Transit/Activation Phase
- OSOCC assigns to the international SAR teams an area upon arrival.
- SAR team leaders to be briefed on Plan of Action of OSOCC to
understand context of emergency.
- Relationship between LEMA/SAR team/OSOCC to be made clear to
the SAR team by OSOCC.
- OSOCC should identify team's on site contact person.
The UN OSOCC must advise the SAR team leader of:
- The communications plan.
- The reporting schedule including situation reports,
operational briefings, etc.
- How reports and requests are transmitted to and from the
UN OSOCC.
- Support for the Team that is locally available.
- Availability of a Base of Operations site.
- Availability of specialized equipment.
- The specific team assignment should be discussed with the UN
OSOCC and the LEMA. This briefing should include:
- Location information.
- Team assignment.
- Information relating to the affected area prior to the
event.
- General population demographics, language(s), and
anticipated numbers of victims.
- Identified objectives of the assignment.
- Safety and security information.
- Infrastructure assessment (structures, utilities, medical,
hazardous substances, etc).
- Maps.
- Medical treatment/transport.
- Patient hand-off information.
- Medical evacuation for team members.
- Cultural sensitivities.
- OSOCC assigns incoming teams a Base of Operations.
- OSOCC to prepare a media management plan in cooperation with
LEMA.
- OSOCC to prepare security/safety briefing for teams in
cooperation with LEMA.
- OSOCC to prepare a communication plan in cooperation with LEMA
which includes assignment of frequencies, call signs,
local disaster operational frequencies. If necessary
coordinate exchange of telecommunications equipment
between teams.
- OSOCC should support/Coordinate SAR teams transport to disaster
site with LEMA and prepare a movement plan if necessary.
Operations Phase
- SAR team actions to be directly coordinated by LEMA and OSOCC. Teams to be informed of reporting requirements.
- SAR team leader to report to OSOCC on arrival if not already
done so earlier.
- OSOCC give instructions to SAR team leader and assign a work
area.
- OSOCC to coordinate with LEMA results of assessments of damage and needs.
- The channel of authority is LEMAöOSOCCöTeam.
- OSOCC coordinates activities of national SAR team(s).
- OSOCC should be able to coordinate:
- request for additional resources for teams in cooperation
with LEMA
- information on progress of operations and shortfalls.
- additional request for assistance.
- requests for medical assistance.
- team interviews and press briefings.
- OSOCC should prepare a communication plan with LEMA that
addresses the following :
- Command and Control.
- Tactical SAR operations.
- Air to ground.
- Logistics.
- To SAR teams.
- To LEMA.
- To OCHA Geneva.
- OSOCC should prepare following documentation and disseminate as appropriate :
- Chain of command.
- Point of contact.
- Situation update.
- Team capability/assignment.
- Safety/security issue.
- Communications plan.
- OSOCC should prepare requirements/procedures for interaction
with media together with LEMA.
- OSOCC should integrate teams planning into OSOCC Plan of
Action.
- OSOCC should organise regular team briefings.
- OSOCC should prepare rescue prioritisation and mission
assignment for teams in cooperation with LEMA.
- OSOCC should coordinate with LEMA disposal of any remains
recovered by SAR teams.
- OSOCC should coordinate SAR team assignment completion report
in conjunction with LEMA.
- OSOCC should support medical care and evacuation of casualties
of SAR team staff, if any.
- OSOCC to issue regular safety/security updates to all SAR
teams.
Reassignment/Stand Down Phase
- The OSOCC will act as a coordination point for reassignment
and/or stand down of SAR teams i.e. provide teams with
estimated stand down date and time and be prepared to
coordinate the reassignment and stand down plan for teams.
- OSOCC should develop a reassignment/stand down plan with LEMA which covers:
- Disengagement phases.
- Time schedule.
- Logistical requirements (i.e. transportation):
- site clean up/rehabilitation.
- donations.
- Identify and communicate home base support needs (i.e.,
transportation, media issues, arrival procedures, etc.).
- Security and safety issues.
Return to Home Base Phase
- International SAR teams to provide a quick field
operations evaluation to FCSU, DRB, OCHA Geneva.
- FCSU to develop and implement any corrective action needed
for the OSOCC concept through INSARAG.