International Search and Rescue Response Guidelines

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Preparedness Phase
• Activation Phase
• In Transit Phase
  • Home Base to the Affected Country
  • Transport to the Disaster Site
• Operations Phase
• Reassignment/Stand Down Phase
• Return to Home Base Phase

Introduction

Planning is a continuous process that begins well before any response and continues after the SAR Team returns. The planning function entails the gathering and distribution of information, and the determination of all necessary resources and contingencies to accomplish the mission.

The function of information and planning must be completely understood by the SAR Team staff and command functions.

Team Management should ensure that:

Trained and qualified personnel are available to staff the information and planning function.

The mission planning process should start at the initial awareness of an event.

SAR Team forms are available either on computer and/or hard copy.

All equipment and supplies necessary to produce response documents are available and operational.

A system to obtain up-to-date country profiles is available (i.e. maps, demographics, etc.).

Activation Phase

Team management must:

Assign responsibility for information and planning function.

Conduct an initial planning session to determine the readiness of the Team to deploy.

Gather current information on affected country and the actual situation.

Determine if the SAR Team will accept or decline mission.

Brief command and general staff.

Develop a mission-specific organization structure and fill the organizational positions.

Update the mobilization plan.

Prepare and conduct a full Team briefing.

• Consider the need for an Advance Team. If needed, develop a plan and staff.

In Transit Phase

Home Base to the Affected Country

Develop contingency plans based on existing and new information about event (i.e., staffing special components, special hazards, transportation, etc.).

Brief personnel.

Notify the home base of status.

Transport to the Disaster Site

Locate and gather information from the UN OSOCC, the OSOCC Reception Center and/or the LEMA, etc.

Develop a plan of action including:

Movement plan.

Safety and security issues.

Logistics.

Specialized teams (i.e., reconnaissance team, liaison, identify the SAR BoO and work area, etc.).

Prepare and conduct briefing on plan of action.

Operations Phase

Gather and document information from the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA including:

Chain of command.

Points of contact.

Situation updates.

Team assignment.

Safety/security factors.

Communications plan.

Brief the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA on the Team capabilities.

Continually review information for completeness and/or accuracy.

Review and update plan of action and brief personnel.

The Team Management needs to determine the following:

Length of operational periods.

Team objectives.

Medical issues (for victim hand-off from the Team to local medical system as well as medical treatment and medical evacuation method for an injured Team member).

Site evacuation issues.

Communication issues.

Safety and security issues.

Organizational structure.

Transportation issues.

Briefing schedules.

Map requirements.

• Debrief the off-going shift.
• Prepare and distribute situation reports to the UN OSOCC, the LEMA and home base.
• Consider long range plans for the purpose of reassignment, resupply and stand down.

Documentation should include:

Log/diaries.

Plans of action.

Situation reports.

Incident documentation.

Medical documentation.

Tracking forms.

Accidents documentation.

Points of contact.

Reassignment/Stand Down Phase

Develop a stand down plan to address:

Disengagement phases.

Time schedule.

Logistical requirements:

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.

Brief/debrief the Team.

Distribute the plan to the UN OSOCC and home base.

Return to Home Base Phase

Develop return to readiness plan to include:

Personnel and equipment rehab issues.

Resupply.

Financial matters.

Medical follow-up.

Records and reports:

Compile information and develop an after-action report.

Forward the after-action report to the UN OCHA, Geneva.

Extended disaster stress management should be addressed.