International Search and Rescue Response Guidelines

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Marking Systems

Marking

General Area Marking

Structure Assessment Marking

Victim Marking

Other Markings

Signaling

• On-Site Signaling/Alerting
• Crane Hand Signals

Introduction

It is important that information related to structure identification, conditions and hazards, and victim status are posted in a standardized fashion to ensure uniformity and clarity, as SAR Team participants may originate from countries around the world.

The purpose of this guideline is to standardize the identification of SAR Team functions (by color), the conspicuous identification of work site hazards, standardize mapping, sketch and landmark labeling with common symbols, ensure the accuracy of search assessment markings and to document SAR Team accomplishments. The following information is addressed in this guideline:

Common identification system:

Marking.

Signaling.

Structure Assessment:

Go/no go.

Search.

Rescue.

Special hazards of that structure.

Victim location.

Results:

Warning.

Tracking.

Continuity and interoperability.

The SAR Team Marking System is identified and divided into the following types:

Assigned area or work site - Identify sites individually (i.e., by address, physical location, unique design, etc.).

Structure Assessment:

• Structure/hazards assessment marking.
• Search assessment/victim location marking.

General hazard marking (cordon banners, flagging, etc.).

Facility/vehicle markings.

Team and functional markings.

Symbols.

Marking

Information will be conspicuously made with florescent color to permanently identify and mark the structure.

If no maps are available, the following should be addressed:

Develop a sketch map.

Identify and label landmarks.

Assign a name to each site (GPS references).

Structure orientation should be established. This would include:

Exterior.

Interior.

It is important to identify locations within a single structure.

The address side of the structure shall be defined as SIDE 1. Other sides of the structure shall be assigned numerically in a clockwise manner from SIDE 1.



The interior of the structure will be divided into QUADRANTS. The quadrants shall be identified ALPHABETICALLY in a clockwise manner starting from where the side 1 and side 2 perimeter meet. The center core, where all four quadrants meet will be identified as Quadrant E (i.e., central core lobby, etc.).



Multi-story structures must have each floor clearly identified. If not clearly discernable, the floors should be numbered as referenced from the exterior. The grade level floor would be designated ground floor and, moving upward the next floor would be floor 1, etc. Conversely, the first floor below grade level would be Basement-1, the second Basement-2, etc.

Structure Assessment Marking

The basic symbol consists of a 1 meter X 1 meter square box at the primary access point into any compromised structure.



Sample Marking Box



Completed Marking Box

Victim Marking

During the search function, it is necessary to identify the location of any known or potential victim.

The amount and type of debris in the area may completely cover or obstruct the location of the known or potential victim.

The victim location markings are made by the Search Team or other individuals conducting search and rescue operations whenever a known or potential victim is located and not immediately removed.

The victim location markings should be made with florescent color.

A large "V" is drawn near the location of the known or potential victim.

The letter "L" with a number will denote the number of live victims.
The letter "D" with a number will denote the number of dead victims.

Draw an arrow beside the "V" when the location of a victim has been confirmed either visually, vocally or hearing specific sounds which would indicate a high probability of a victim.

This may be done when the victim is initially located or may need to be done later after some debris removal or use of specialized search equipment.
A canine alert will initially receive the "V" without an arrow to indicate a potential victim.

A circle would be drawn around the "V" when the last live victim has been extricated from that location.

Draw a horizontal line through the "V" to indicate only dead victim(s) remain.

A circle would be drawn around the "V" when all dead victims have been removed.

Potential Victim Location

Confirmed Victim Location

Dead Victim(s) Only Location

Extricated Live Victim(s)

Extricated Dead Victim

General cordon markings (cordon banners, flagging, etc.) - to be used for small defined area. They can be enlarged to include other non-buildings (i.e., bridge, dangerous zones, NBC, security, etc.). Large areas may require barricades/fences/patrol/etc.

Operational Work Zone



Collapse/Hazard Zone

Facility:

Iconic flags, banners, balloons, etc. (must identify team identity, team medical facility, team CP).

Vehicle:

Vehicles must be marked with team name and function (flag, magnetic sign, etc.).

Team and function:

Response team identity (country and team name) by uniform, patch, etc.

Personnel - the following positions must be color-coded and labeled in English plain text (vests, arm bands, helmet color, etc.)
- Management position(s) - white
- Medical position(s) - red cross/crescent
- Safety/security position(s) - orange


Symbols: (Plain text such as Team name would be denoted adjacent to the symbol.)

Facilities - circles

Zones - irregular shapes

Command function - box

Reference point - triangle

Time denoted - (local time)

(with arrow pointing to activity site

Sample symbols

Command Post (box w/ CP) (local time)

EOC (box w/ EOC) (local time)

SAR Base of Ops (circle w/ BoO) (local time)

OSOCC (box w/ OSOCC ) (local time)

Reception Center (box w/ OSOCC RECEPT) (local time)

Work Site (circle with WS) (local time)

Airport (AP in circle) (local time)

LZ (circle w/ LZ) (local time)

Hospital (circle w/ H) (local time)

Hazards (write hazards and specify zone) (local time)

Fuel (circle w/ F) (local time)

Medical care (Red Cross/Crescent) (local time)

Reference point/landmark (triangle - include descriptor) (local time)

Signaling

On-Site Signaling/Alerting
Effective emergency signaling is essential for the safe operation of SAR Team personnel operating at a disaster site.
These signals must be clear and universally understood by all SAR Team personnel.

Air horns or other appropriate hailing devices shall be used to sound the appropriate signals as follows:

Cease Operation/All Quiet:

1 long blast (3 seconds)

Evacuate the Area:

3 consecutive short blasts (1 second each)

Conduct a radio roll call to account for all personnel. When all are accounted for, the radio signal "all clear" will be broadcast on the command channel.

Resume Operations:

1 long and 1 short blast

Crane Hand Signals