INSARAG

International Search and Rescue Response Guidelines

GLOSSARY OF TERMS & ACRONYMS
International Search and Rescue Response Guidelines

OLD TERMINOLOGY NEW TERMINOLOGY

Task Force SAR Team

Specialist Personnel or Member

Base of Operations SAR Base of Operations

Task Force Control Center Base of Operations Command Post

Local Incident Commander Local Official In Charge

Local Affected Jurisdiction's Officials Local Emergency Management Agency

Incident Disaster

Cache or Equipment Cache Equipment Stock

Supervisor Manager

Supervisory Management

Forward Base Forward Operations Area

Heavy Rigging Heavy Lifting

Structural Engineers Structural Engineering

Banner or Hazard Tape Site Marking Tape

Canine or Dog Canine or Dog

Field Operations Guide Eliminate Term, not consistent

Procedure Guideline

EMS Local Medical Ambulance Agency

Physician Doctor

Nurse Eliminate Term, not consistent

New Mission Reassignment

Point of Assembly Processing Center

Point of Arrival Point of Arrival

Point of Departure Point of Departure

Mobilization Center OSOCC Reception Center

IST OSOCC

Task Force Fact Sheet SAR Team Capability Document

Task Force Medical Team Sheet SAR Team Medical Capability Document

GIS Eliminate Term, not consistent

Gray Water Waste Water

NAME ACRONYM DEFINITION

AFTER-ACTION DEBRIEFING - Meeting/interview process at the conclusion of a mission conducted to identify and document SAR Team actions and pertinent information for program improvement.

AFTER-ACTION REPORT - Written documentation of all SAR Team actions and other pertinent information that is usually assembled immediately following the completion of a mission.

ALERT - A notification from UNOCHA to the sponsoring organizations that a disaster is imminent or has occurred.

ASSEMBLY POINT - Location or facility designated by the sponsoring organization where team members initially report after receiving an activation order.

ASSESSMENT: - -

ASSIGNED AREA: - -

ASSIGNED: - -

ASSISTING COUNTRY - Nation/government sponsoring an INSARAG SAR Team which mobilizes and responds upon request.

BACKPACK/WAISTPACK - Medical kit carried by SAR Team Medical personnel to provide immediate care for team personnel.

BASE OF OPERATIONS - SAR Team on-site operational facility close to the work sites comprising areas for the team management, equipment stock, personnel shelter, feeding areas, etc.

BIOMEDICAL MONITORING - The utilization of special medical equipment (cardiac monitor) to evaluate a patient's medical condition.

BREACHING - SAR Rescue Team tactical operation involving penetrating a structural medium (usually concrete) with power tools and techniques.

BRIEFING: - -

BUILDING MARKING - Pre-identified symbols marked on structure by search and rescue task force personnel indicating current status of building.

CACHE - See EQUIPMENT STOCK

CANINE SEARCH - Victim search using air scent dogs.

CASUALTY: - -

CLEAR TEXT - A term for using plain language communications that eliminates use of agency specific codes, etc.

CODE OF CONDUCT - A standard by which all personnel operating as a part of an INSARAG SAR Team are expected to adhere to. This ensures safe, effective and professional operations.

COLLAPSE ZONE: - -

COLLAPSE/HAZARD ZONE - An area established at a rescue work site for the purpose of controlling all access to the immediate area of a collapse that could be impacted by further building collapse, falling debris, etc. The identified perimeter is conspicuously marked by crossed horizontal marking tape denoting that this area constitutes a hazard to SAR Team personnel.

COMMAND FREQUENCY - Communications frequency designated for command and control transmissions.

COMMAND POST: - -

COMMUNICATION PLAN: - -

COMPONENT: - -

CONFINED SPACE - Any space having limited entry/egress, and in which a dangerous air contamination or oxygen deficiency could result from an accumulation of dusts, mists, fumes, gases or vapors not removed by natural ventilation.

CREW: - -

CRIBBING/SHORING WORKING AREA - The area at a rescue work site where building materials/lumber can be stored and processed as needed to support the on site search and rescue operations.

CRUSH SYNDROME - Detrimental side effects occurring when muscle tissue is compressed (due to a crush mechanism) for prolonged periods of time and tissue begins to die.

DACH: INSARAG - Permanent regional working group comprised of Austria, Denmark, and Sweden.

DEACTIVATION - Assignment to a SAR Team indicating that their mission assignment is complete and to make ready for return home.

DEBRIEFING: - -

DECEASED: - -

DEMA: - -

DEMOBILIZATION - The process used to return resources to their original location at the conclusion of a mission.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - Original name of the department in the United Nations responsible for INSARAG. Now known as the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. See OCHA.

DFID/ELM: - -

DISASTER - A natural or man-made occurrence that negatively impacts a local jurisdiction and overwhelms their ability to effectively respond on their own.

DISASTER RESPONSE BRANCH DRB Section within the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)

DOCTOR MD A person trained and certified by his host country to deliver ALS skills to a patient in need of definitive care.

EGRESS - Exit pathway

ELECTRONIC VIEWING EQUIPMENT - Electronic search devices utilized by SAR Search Team personnel for determining the location of entrapped victims by introducing camera-type viewers into voids.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES EMS A complex health care system that provides immediate on-scene patient care to those suffering sudden illness or injury.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER EOC -

EMERGENCY SIGNALING - Signals produced by aerosol horns on the work site to address evacuation of the area, cessation of operations or to quiet the area and resume operations.

ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATION - The placement of an adjunct device into a patient's trachea to establish a patent airway.

ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGE-MENT - Procedures followed by task force when entering or leaving a specific work-site.

EOC: - -

EQUIPMENT STAGING AREA - The area at a rescue work site where assigned tools and equipment can be safely stored, maintained and issued as needed to support the operation. An appropriate area should be identified where generators and other gasoline-powered equipment can be set up and operated without exhaust gases and excessive noise hindering the operation.

EQUIPMENT STOCK - SAR Team equipment, tools, communication equipment, medical supplies, etc., necessary to be self-sufficient and operate at a disaster site for 10 days.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY EC -

EXTENDED DISASTER STRESS SYNDROME DEFUSING - A process for allowing personnel to air their feelings and defuse emotions related to stressful or traumatic disaster-related incidents.

EXTRICATE - To safely package and remove an entrapped victim from an entanglement or difficulty.

FACT SHEET - Documentation carried by SAR Teams that are provided to local officials in charge that defines team capabilities and limitations.

FBI: - -

FEMA: - -

FIBEROPTIC EQUIPMENT - Electronic search devices utilized by SAR Search Team personnel for determining the location of entrapped victims by introducing viewing equipment (using light transmitting fibers) that allow direct viewing into void areas.

FIELD COORDINATING SUPPORT UNIT FCSU Section within the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)

FIXED ASSETS - SAR Team equipment that is critical to the effective functioning of the team and is not expendable or able to be loaned.

FORWARD OPERATIONS AREA - SAR Team tactical operating area established to provide a short-term Base of Operations for a part of the team near the work site.

FUNCTION: - -

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM GIS -

GRAY WATER - Non-potable wastewater (usually the result of hand washing, cooking or dishwashing) that is discarded during SAR Team operations (as opposed to unhygienic waste from biomedical or toilet waste).

GROUP: - -

GUIDELINES - Standard procedures or processes used to maintain program consistency.

HAZARD: - -

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL HAZ MAT -

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES: - -

HEADQUARTERS HQ -

HEAVY LIFTING - SAR Team tactical operation involving moving/lifting large or heavy building structural components usually with hydraulic construction machinery.

HOME BASE: - -

HOT ZONE - SAR Team hazard area defined during operations that usually denotes a personnel hazard dealing with hazardous materials or chemicals.

INCIDENT ACTION PLAN - SAR Team operational document that is developed identify operational objectives, mission accomplishments, weather conditions, safety messages, communication issues, etc. during mission operations.

INFRARED/THERMAL IMAGING - Electronic devices that are sometimes used for determining the location of entrapped victims by introducing heat sensing equipment (that construct an image based on heat differentials) that allow viewing into void areas.

INNER CORDON: - -

INTERNATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE ADVISORY GROUP INSARAG A group of functional SAR specialists formed for the purpose of advising the United Nations on the development of standards and guidelines that will be adopted and used by all international SAR Teams.

IRC (UK): - -

LESSONS LEARNED - Using past experiences to avoid making the same mistakes.

LOCAL EMERGENCY MANGEMENT AGENCY LEMA -

LOCAL JURISDICTION - Local government that has the mandated responsibility for managing the disaster.

MANAGEMENT: - -

MEDEVAC - Emergency medical evacuation of an injured person via helicopter transport.

MEDICAL ACTION PLAN - Medical surveillance of affected country's infrastructure, endemic and environmental condition. SAR Medical Team actions are governed by the findings.

MEDICAL TEAM CAPABILITY DOCUMENT - Documentation carried by SAR Team Medical personnel that are provided to local officials in charge that defines team capabilities and limitations.

MEDICAL TREATMENT AREA - The location where the Medical Team can set up operations and provide treatment to SAR Team members and extricated victims. Medical team personnel must identify their space requirements to rescue personnel when this area is being established.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING MOU -

MOBILIZATION - The assembly and movement of resources to a disaster.

MOBILIZATION (MOB) CENTER - The point of arrival of response groups near the affected area, but not within the direct operational scope of the state or local authorities.

MOBILIZATION PLAN: - -

NATIONAL FOCAL POINT: - -

NON- GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION NGO -

OFDA: - -

OFFICE OF COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OCHA A department in the United Nations which is responsible for INSARAG. Formerly known as the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA).

OFFICER IN CHARGE OIC -

ON-SITE OPERATIONS CONTROL CENTER OSAP -

OPERATIONAL CHECKLIST - An area used by the Rescue Officer in charge assigned to manage and coordinate all SAR activities at the identified rescue work site.

OPERATIONAL COMMAND (BRONZE): - -

OPERATIONAL WORK AREA - An area established for the purpose of controlling access to the rescue work site except for SAR Team members and those involved in the operation. It is denoted by a single, horizontal identification marker tape erected as a cordon.

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES OAS -

OSOCC RECEPTION CENTER OSOCC Point of arrival, established by the OSOCC, of response group near affected area, but not within the direct operational scope of national/local authorities.

OSOCC STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN - A time sequence listing of possible actions and tasks that the identified user may want to consider acting upon when carrying out the assignment.

OUTER CORDON: - -

PARAMEDIC: - -

PATIENT TRACKING SYSTEM - A documentation system implemented by SAR Team Medical personnel that identifies each patient, assigns a tracking number and denotes pertinent evaluation information.

PERSONNEL STAGING AREA - Area established where unassigned, available SAR Team personnel are assembled and organized for assignment into an operation.

PLAN-OF-ACTION: - -

POINT OF ARRIVAL POA Designated area during disaster operations where responding SAR Teams and other resources are received into the impacted area, organized, briefed and assigned.

POINT OF ASSEMBLY - Designated area where the members and elements of a SAR Team are gathered in preparation for mobilization.

POINT OF DEPARTURE POD Area established where SAR Team personnel and equipment stock mobilizing for a mission are brought together and organized.

POINT-OF-ARRIVAL: - -

PRIORITIZATION - -

PRIVATE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION PVO -

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER PIO The area at a rescue site where unassigned SAR Team members can rest, eat, and be immediately available in case other rescue workers become trapped or until time of rotation.

REASSIGNMENT - SAR Team mission assignment during the course of a mission where the team is redirected to a different assignment from the original. An assessment of the team's condition for continued operations is imperative.

RECEPTION CENTER - Point of arrival, established by the OSOCC, of response group near affected area, but not within the direct operational scope of national/local authorities.

RECONNAISANCE TEAM - An assembly of appropriate SAR Team personnel assigned to assess an impacted area or building to determine the need for search and rescue operations.

RESCUE OPERATION: - -

RESCUE PLAN - Tactical document developed by the SAR Team defining rescue strategy and tactics during mission conduct.

RISK ANALYSIS - A review of an operation or work site performed in advance establishing safety and personnel hazard concerns and mitigation procedures.

SAR TEAM - A set number of trained functional specialists assembled to perform urban search and rescue operations.

SAR TEAM CAPABILITY DOCUMENT - Documentation carried by SAR Teams that are provided to local officials in charge that defines team capabilities and limitations.

SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM - A set number of trained functional specialists assembled to perform urban search and rescue operations.

SEARCH OPERATION: - -

SEARCH PLAN - Tactical document developed by the SAR Team defining search strategy and tactics during mission conduct.

SERVICE PACKAGES: - -

SITE MARKING TAPE - Plastic banner tape carried as rolls in the equipment stock that is used to define perimeter areas of SAR Team operational work sites.

SQUAD: - -

SRSA: SRSA Swedish Rescue Services Agency
STAGING AREA (PAGE 23 IN SYSTEM OVERVIEW): - -

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE SOP A standardized method of conducting search and rescue operational procedures which has been predetermined to ensure safe and effective operations.

STAND-DOWN: - -

STRATEGIC COMMAND (GOLD): - -

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING: - -

STRUCTURE TRIAGE - A systematic process of assessing compromised buildings to determine their viability for safely conducting search and rescue operations.

TACTICAL COMMAND (SILVER): - -

TACTICAL FREQUENCY - Operational communications frequency assigned to a SAR Team (or components of a team) for on-site search and rescue operations which does not conflict with local emergency communications.

TASK (SEE ASSIGNED): - -

TEAM FOCAL POINT: - -

TEAM: - -

TECHNICAL SEARCH - Victim search using electronic devices.

THW: THW -

TRAUMA: - -

TRIANGULATE - Process of attempting to pinpoint the location of an entrapped victim by establishing soundings from three or more locations and interpreting the strengths of each to approximate the midpoint.

UK-FIRE SERVICE SAR TEAM: - -

United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination UNDAC -

UNIT: - -

UNITED NATIONS UN -

UNITED NATIONS - DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS UN-DHA -

UN-OSOCC: - -

VICTIM LOCATION: - -

VICTIM: - -

WORK AREA: - -

WORK SITE - Refers to the operational area within the incident to which the task force is assigned.

OLD TERMINOLOGY	NEW TERMINOLOGY
Task Force	SAR Team
Specialist	Personnel or Member
Base of Operations	SAR Base of Operations
Task Force Control Center	Base of Operations Command Post
Local Incident Commander	Local Official In Charge
Local Affected Jurisdiction's Officials	Local Emergency Management Agency
Incident	Disaster
Cache or Equipment Cache	Equipment Stock
Supervisor	Manager
Supervisory	Management
Forward Base	Forward Operations Area
Heavy Rigging	Heavy Lifting
Structural Engineers	Structural Engineering
Banner or Hazard Tape	Site Marking Tape
Canine or Dog	Canine or Dog
Field Operations Guide	Eliminate Term, not consistent
Procedure	Guideline
EMS	Local Medical Ambulance Agency
Physician	Doctor
Nurse	Eliminate Term, not consistent
New Mission	Reassignment
Point of Assembly	Processing Center
Point of Arrival	Point of Arrival
Point of Departure	Point of Departure
Mobilization Center	OSOCC Reception Center
IST	OSOCC
Task Force Fact Sheet	SAR Team Capability Document
Task Force Medical Team Sheet	SAR Team Medical Capability Document
GIS	Eliminate Term, not consistent
Gray Water	Waste Water

NAME	ACRONYM	DEFINITION
AFTER-ACTION DEBRIEFING	-	Meeting/interview process at the conclusion of a mission conducted to identify and document SAR Team actions and pertinent information for program improvement.
AFTER-ACTION REPORT	-	Written documentation of all SAR Team actions and other pertinent information that is usually assembled immediately following the completion of a mission.
ALERT	-	A notification from UNOCHA to the sponsoring organizations that a disaster is imminent or has occurred.
ASSEMBLY POINT	-	Location or facility designated by the sponsoring organization where team members initially report after receiving an activation order.
ASSESSMENT:	-	-
ASSIGNED AREA:	-	-
ASSIGNED:	-	-
ASSISTING COUNTRY	-	Nation/government sponsoring an INSARAG SAR Team which mobilizes and responds upon request.
BACKPACK/WAISTPACK	-	Medical kit carried by SAR Team Medical personnel to provide immediate care for team personnel.
BASE OF OPERATIONS	-	SAR Team on-site operational facility close to the work sites comprising areas for the team management, equipment stock, personnel shelter, feeding areas, etc.
BIOMEDICAL MONITORING	-	The utilization of special medical equipment (cardiac monitor) to evaluate a patient's medical condition.
BREACHING	-	SAR Rescue Team tactical operation involving penetrating a structural medium (usually concrete) with power tools and techniques.
BRIEFING:	-	-
BUILDING MARKING	-	Pre-identified symbols marked on structure by search and rescue task force personnel indicating current status of building.
CACHE	-	See EQUIPMENT STOCK
CANINE SEARCH	-	Victim search using air scent dogs.
CASUALTY:	-	-
CLEAR TEXT	-	A term for using plain language communications that eliminates use of agency specific codes, etc.
CODE OF CONDUCT	-	A standard by which all personnel operating as a part of an INSARAG SAR Team are expected to adhere to. This ensures safe, effective and professional operations.
COLLAPSE ZONE:	-	-
COLLAPSE/HAZARD ZONE	-	An area established at a rescue work site for the purpose of controlling all access to the immediate area of a collapse that could be impacted by further building collapse, falling debris, etc. The identified perimeter is conspicuously marked by crossed horizontal marking tape denoting that this area constitutes a hazard to SAR Team personnel.
COMMAND FREQUENCY	-	Communications frequency designated for command and control transmissions.
COMMAND POST:	-	-
COMMUNICATION PLAN:	-	-
COMPONENT:	-	-
CONFINED SPACE	-	Any space having limited entry/egress, and in which a dangerous air contamination or oxygen deficiency could result from an accumulation of dusts, mists, fumes, gases or vapors not removed by natural ventilation.
CREW:	-	-
CRIBBING/SHORING WORKING AREA	-	The area at a rescue work site where building materials/lumber can be stored and processed as needed to support the on site search and rescue operations.
CRUSH SYNDROME	-	Detrimental side effects occurring when muscle tissue is compressed (due to a crush mechanism) for prolonged periods of time and tissue begins to die.
DACH: INSARAG	-	Permanent regional working group comprised of Austria, Denmark, and Sweden.
DEACTIVATION	-	Assignment to a SAR Team indicating that their mission assignment is complete and to make ready for return home.
DEBRIEFING:	-	-
DECEASED:	-	-
DEMA:	-	-
DEMOBILIZATION	-	The process used to return resources to their original location at the conclusion of a mission.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS	-	Original name of the department in the United Nations responsible for INSARAG. Now known as the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. See OCHA.
DFID/ELM:	-	-
DISASTER	-	A natural or man-made occurrence that negatively impacts a local jurisdiction and overwhelms their ability to effectively respond on their own.
DISASTER RESPONSE BRANCH	DRB	Section within the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)
DOCTOR	MD	A person trained and certified by his host country to deliver ALS skills to a patient in need of definitive care.
EGRESS	-	Exit pathway
ELECTRONIC VIEWING EQUIPMENT	-	Electronic search devices utilized by SAR Search Team personnel for determining the location of entrapped victims by introducing camera-type viewers into voids.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES	EMS	A complex health care system that provides immediate on-scene patient care to those suffering sudden illness or injury.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER	EOC	-
EMERGENCY SIGNALING	-	Signals produced by aerosol horns on the work site to address evacuation of the area, cessation of operations or to quiet the area and resume operations.
ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATION	-	The placement of an adjunct device into a patient's trachea to establish a patent airway.
ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGE-MENT	-	Procedures followed by task force when entering or leaving a specific work-site.
EOC:	-	-
EQUIPMENT STAGING AREA	-	The area at a rescue work site where assigned tools and equipment can be safely stored, maintained and issued as needed to support the operation. An appropriate area should be identified where generators and other gasoline-powered equipment can be set up and operated without exhaust gases and excessive noise hindering the operation.
EQUIPMENT STOCK	-	SAR Team equipment, tools, communication equipment, medical supplies, etc., necessary to be self-sufficient and operate at a disaster site for 10 days.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY	EC	-
EXTENDED DISASTER STRESS SYNDROME DEFUSING	-	A process for allowing personnel to air their feelings and defuse emotions related to stressful or traumatic disaster-related incidents.
EXTRICATE	-	To safely package and remove an entrapped victim from an entanglement or difficulty.
FACT SHEET	-	Documentation carried by SAR Teams that are provided to local officials in charge that defines team capabilities and limitations.
FBI:	-	-
FEMA:	-	-
FIBEROPTIC EQUIPMENT	-	Electronic search devices utilized by SAR Search Team personnel for determining the location of entrapped victims by introducing viewing equipment (using light transmitting fibers) that allow direct viewing into void areas.
FIELD COORDINATING SUPPORT UNIT	FCSU	Section within the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)
FIXED ASSETS	-	SAR Team equipment that is critical to the effective functioning of the team and is not expendable or able to be loaned.
FORWARD OPERATIONS AREA	-	SAR Team tactical operating area established to provide a short-term Base of Operations for a part of the team near the work site.
FUNCTION:	-	-
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM	GIS	-
GRAY WATER	-	Non-potable wastewater (usually the result of hand washing, cooking or dishwashing) that is discarded during SAR Team operations (as opposed to unhygienic waste from biomedical or toilet waste).
GROUP:	-	-
GUIDELINES	-	Standard procedures or processes used to maintain program consistency.
HAZARD:	-	-
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL	HAZ MAT	-
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES:	-	-
HEADQUARTERS	HQ	-
HEAVY LIFTING	-	SAR Team tactical operation involving moving/lifting large or heavy building structural components usually with hydraulic construction machinery.
HOME BASE:	-	-
HOT ZONE	-	SAR Team hazard area defined during operations that usually denotes a personnel hazard dealing with hazardous materials or chemicals.
INCIDENT ACTION PLAN	-	SAR Team operational document that is developed identify operational objectives, mission accomplishments, weather conditions, safety messages, communication issues, etc. during mission operations.
INFRARED/THERMAL IMAGING	-	Electronic devices that are sometimes used for determining the location of entrapped victims by introducing heat sensing equipment (that construct an image based on heat differentials) that allow viewing into void areas.
INNER CORDON:	-	-
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE ADVISORY GROUP	INSARAG	A group of functional SAR specialists formed for the purpose of advising the United Nations on the development of standards and guidelines that will be adopted and used by all international SAR Teams.
IRC (UK):	-	-
LESSONS LEARNED	-	Using past experiences to avoid making the same mistakes.
LOCAL EMERGENCY MANGEMENT AGENCY	LEMA	-
LOCAL JURISDICTION	-	Local government that has the mandated responsibility for managing the disaster.
MANAGEMENT:	-	-
MEDEVAC	-	Emergency medical evacuation of an injured person via helicopter transport.
MEDICAL ACTION PLAN	-	Medical surveillance of affected country's infrastructure, endemic and environmental condition. SAR Medical Team actions are governed by the findings.
MEDICAL TEAM CAPABILITY DOCUMENT	-	Documentation carried by SAR Team Medical personnel that are provided to local officials in charge that defines team capabilities and limitations.
MEDICAL TREATMENT AREA	-	The location where the Medical Team can set up operations and provide treatment to SAR Team members and extricated victims. Medical team personnel must identify their space requirements to rescue personnel when this area is being established.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING	MOU	-
MOBILIZATION	-	The assembly and movement of resources to a disaster.
MOBILIZATION (MOB) CENTER	-	The point of arrival of response groups near the affected area, but not within the direct operational scope of the state or local authorities.
MOBILIZATION PLAN:	-	-
NATIONAL FOCAL POINT:	-	-
NON- GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION	NGO	-
OFDA:	-	-
OFFICE OF COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS	OCHA	A department in the United Nations which is responsible for INSARAG. Formerly known as the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA).
OFFICER IN CHARGE	OIC	-
ON-SITE OPERATIONS CONTROL CENTER	OSAP	-
OPERATIONAL CHECKLIST	-	An area used by the Rescue Officer in charge assigned to manage and coordinate all SAR activities at the identified rescue work site.
OPERATIONAL COMMAND (BRONZE):	-	-
OPERATIONAL WORK AREA	-	An area established for the purpose of controlling access to the rescue work site except for SAR Team members and those involved in the operation. It is denoted by a single, horizontal identification marker tape erected as a cordon.
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES	OAS	-
OSOCC RECEPTION CENTER	OSOCC	Point of arrival, established by the OSOCC, of response group near affected area, but not within the direct operational scope of national/local authorities.
OSOCC STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN	-	A time sequence listing of possible actions and tasks that the identified user may want to consider acting upon when carrying out the assignment.
OUTER CORDON:	-	-
PARAMEDIC:	-	-
PATIENT TRACKING SYSTEM	-	A documentation system implemented by SAR Team Medical personnel that identifies each patient, assigns a tracking number and denotes pertinent evaluation information.
PERSONNEL STAGING AREA	-	Area established where unassigned, available SAR Team personnel are assembled and organized for assignment into an operation.
PLAN-OF-ACTION:	-	-
POINT OF ARRIVAL	POA	Designated area during disaster operations where responding SAR Teams and other resources are received into the impacted area, organized, briefed and assigned.
POINT OF ASSEMBLY	-	Designated area where the members and elements of a SAR Team are gathered in preparation for mobilization.
POINT OF DEPARTURE	POD	Area established where SAR Team personnel and equipment stock mobilizing for a mission are brought together and organized.
POINT-OF-ARRIVAL:	-	-
PRIORITIZATION	-	-
PRIVATE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION	PVO	-
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER	PIO	The area at a rescue site where unassigned SAR Team members can rest, eat, and be immediately available in case other rescue workers become trapped or until time of rotation.
REASSIGNMENT	-	SAR Team mission assignment during the course of a mission where the team is redirected to a different assignment from the original. An assessment of the team's condition for continued operations is imperative.
RECEPTION CENTER	-	Point of arrival, established by the OSOCC, of response group near affected area, but not within the direct operational scope of national/local authorities.
RECONNAISANCE TEAM	-	An assembly of appropriate SAR Team personnel assigned to assess an impacted area or building to determine the need for search and rescue operations.
RESCUE OPERATION:	-	-
RESCUE PLAN	-	Tactical document developed by the SAR Team defining rescue strategy and tactics during mission conduct.
RISK ANALYSIS	-	A review of an operation or work site performed in advance establishing safety and personnel hazard concerns and mitigation procedures.
SAR TEAM	-	A set number of trained functional specialists assembled to perform urban search and rescue operations.
SAR TEAM CAPABILITY DOCUMENT	-	Documentation carried by SAR Teams that are provided to local officials in charge that defines team capabilities and limitations.
SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM	-	A set number of trained functional specialists assembled to perform urban search and rescue operations.
SEARCH OPERATION:	-	-
SEARCH PLAN	-	Tactical document developed by the SAR Team defining search strategy and tactics during mission conduct.
SERVICE PACKAGES:	-	-
SITE MARKING TAPE	-	Plastic banner tape carried as rolls in the equipment stock that is used to define perimeter areas of SAR Team operational work sites.
SQUAD:	-	-
SRSA:	SRSA	Swedish Rescue Services Agency
STAGING AREA (PAGE 23 IN SYSTEM OVERVIEW):	-	-
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE	SOP	A standardized method of conducting search and rescue operational procedures which has been predetermined to ensure safe and effective operations.
STAND-DOWN:	-	-
STRATEGIC COMMAND (GOLD):	-	-
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING:	-	-
STRUCTURE TRIAGE	-	A systematic process of assessing compromised buildings to determine their viability for safely conducting search and rescue operations.
TACTICAL COMMAND (SILVER):	-	-
TACTICAL FREQUENCY	-	Operational communications frequency assigned to a SAR Team (or components of a team) for on-site search and rescue operations which does not conflict with local emergency communications.
TASK (SEE ASSIGNED):	-	-
TEAM FOCAL POINT:	-	-
TEAM:	-	-
TECHNICAL SEARCH	-	Victim search using electronic devices.
THW:	THW	-
TRAUMA:	-	-
TRIANGULATE	-	Process of attempting to pinpoint the location of an entrapped victim by establishing soundings from three or more locations and interpreting the strengths of each to approximate the midpoint.
UK-FIRE SERVICE SAR TEAM:	-	-
United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination	UNDAC	-
UNIT:	-	-
UNITED NATIONS	UN	-
UNITED NATIONS - DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS	UN-DHA	-
UN-OSOCC:	-	-
VICTIM LOCATION:	-	-
VICTIM:	-	-
WORK AREA:	-	-
WORK SITE	-	Refers to the operational area within the incident to which the task force is assigned.