INSARAG

International Search and Rescue Response Guidelines

SAR Team Rescue Operations Guidelines

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Preparedness Phase
In Transit Phase
Operations Phase
- Assistance with Search Activities
- Rescue Strategy
- Rescue Plan
- Rescue Group Composition
- Resource Utilization
- Work Site Management and Coordination

Introduction

Rescue operations in the disaster environment require the close interaction of all SAR Team components for safe and successful victim extrications. In all instances, victim extrication must be conducted in an organized, safe manner. The SAR Team must tailor the strategy and tactics to fit the general situation and specific problems encountered. It is incumbent on the SAR Team to collect related information from search intelligence and develop rescue strategy and tactics.

Preparedness Phase

The SAR Team Rescue Group must: Meet all respective standards according to national and INSARAG requirements. Have training in confined spaces, collapsed reinforced concrete structures, high angle rope rescue and tunneling operations, and basic training in search and medical issues. Have additional training in operating in adverse weather conditions, haz mat environments, all other climactic conditions and team safety. Have appropriate equipment to handle: Breaking and breaching operations. Shoring operations. Lifting operations. High angle rope rescue operations. Tunneling operations. Personal protective equipment requirements.: Meet all respective standards according to national and INSARAG requirements.
Have training in confined spaces, collapsed reinforced concrete structures, high angle rope rescue and tunneling operations, and basic training in search and medical issues.
Have additional training in operating in adverse weather conditions, haz mat environments, all other climactic conditions and team safety.
Have appropriate equipment to handle:
Breaking and breaching operations.
Shoring operations.
Lifting operations.
High angle rope rescue operations.
Tunneling operations.
Personal protective equipment requirements.; Have training in confined spaces, collapsed reinforced concrete structures, high angle rope rescue and tunneling operations, and basic training in search and medical issues.
Have additional training in operating in adverse weather conditions, haz mat environments, all other climactic conditions and team safety.
Have appropriate equipment to handle:
Breaking and breaching operations.
Shoring operations.
Lifting operations.
High angle rope rescue operations.
Tunneling operations.
Personal protective equipment requirements.
Have additional training in operating in adverse weather conditions, haz mat environments, all other climactic conditions and team safety. Have appropriate equipment to handle: Breaking and breaching operations. Shoring operations. Lifting operations. High angle rope rescue operations. Tunneling operations. Personal protective equipment requirements.: Have appropriate equipment to handle:
Breaking and breaching operations.
Shoring operations.
Lifting operations.
High angle rope rescue operations.
Tunneling operations.
Personal protective equipment requirements.; Breaking and breaching operations.
Shoring operations.
Lifting operations.
High angle rope rescue operations.
Tunneling operations.
Personal protective equipment requirements.; Shoring operations.
Lifting operations.
High angle rope rescue operations.
Tunneling operations.
Personal protective equipment requirements.; Lifting operations.
High angle rope rescue operations.
Tunneling operations.
Personal protective equipment requirements.; High angle rope rescue operations.
Tunneling operations.
Personal protective equipment requirements.; Tunneling operations.
Personal protective equipment requirements.
Personal protective equipment requirements.

In Transit Phase

The equipment stock must meet international transportation regulations (i.e., ADR, RID, IATA, etc.).

Operations Phase

Assistance with Search Activities

Prior to locating trapped victims, Rescue personnel provide a significant search resource.
The Rescue personnel may be used to assist the canine and electronic search personnel with safety assessments at collapse sites, gain access to difficult areas, conduct shoring and bracing operations, deploy equipment, etc.
These personnel may also conduct physical search operations.
Apart from canine and electronic search personnel, Rescue personnel should be the only resource used for physical search inside void areas, as they are the most capable of identifying overall hazards in these areas and are trained in operating in confined spaces.

Rescue Strategy

Rescue operations follow the search phase and are focused on extricating the greatest number of victims in the shortest amount of time, prioritizing technical rescues that cannot be addressed by local resources.

Rescue operations are conducted under the five following phases: PHASE ONE: Assessment of the collapse area. The area is searched for possible victims (surface and/or buried) and the evaluation of the structure's stability and potential danger to rescue personnel is performed. All utilities must be evaluated and controlled for safety. PHASE TWO: Removal of all surface victims as quickly and safely as possible. Extreme care must be used during this phase to ensure that rescuers do not become victims. Personnel should not be misled by the outward appearance of a structure - what appears to be a settled pile of debris could, in reality, be lacking any genuine support and a secondary collapse could occur without warning. PHASE THREE: All voids and accessible spaces created as a result of the collapse must be searched and explored for live victims. An audible call out system can be used during this phase (refer to the SAR Team Search Guidelines). Only trained canine or specially trained rescue personnel should be used in voids and accessible space searches. PHASE FOUR: Selected debris removal, using special tools and techniques, may be necessary after locating a victim. It may be necessary to remove only certain obstructions that are blocking access to the victim. Information concerning a victim's location prior to the collapse can be helpful during the selected debris removal phase. Information gathering on other possible victim locations can greatly enhance the operation. PHASE FIVE: General debris removal is usually conducted after all known victims have been removed. Exceptions would be: 1) when information is obtained that indicates the possibility of other victims not originally accounted for and, 2) when large amounts of debris are impairing or obstructing operations. The decision to use heavy equipment during this phase must be given serious consideration, especially when the possibility exists that there are still live victims in the debris.: PHASE ONE: Assessment of the collapse area. The area is searched for possible victims (surface and/or buried) and the evaluation of the structure's stability and potential danger to rescue personnel is performed. All utilities must be evaluated and controlled for safety.
PHASE TWO: Removal of all surface victims as quickly and safely as possible. Extreme care must be used during this phase to ensure that rescuers do not become victims. Personnel should not be misled by the outward appearance of a structure - what appears to be a settled pile of debris could, in reality, be lacking any genuine support and a secondary collapse could occur without warning.
PHASE THREE: All voids and accessible spaces created as a result of the collapse must be searched and explored for live victims. An audible call out system can be used during this phase (refer to the SAR Team Search Guidelines). Only trained canine or specially trained rescue personnel should be used in voids and accessible space searches.
PHASE FOUR: Selected debris removal, using special tools and techniques, may be necessary after locating a victim. It may be necessary to remove only certain obstructions that are blocking access to the victim. Information concerning a victim's location prior to the collapse can be helpful during the selected debris removal phase. Information gathering on other possible victim locations can greatly enhance the operation.
PHASE FIVE: General debris removal is usually conducted after all known victims have been removed. Exceptions would be: 1) when information is obtained that indicates the possibility of other victims not originally accounted for and, 2) when large amounts of debris are impairing or obstructing operations. The decision to use heavy equipment during this phase must be given serious consideration, especially when the possibility exists that there are still live victims in the debris.; PHASE TWO: Removal of all surface victims as quickly and safely as possible. Extreme care must be used during this phase to ensure that rescuers do not become victims. Personnel should not be misled by the outward appearance of a structure - what appears to be a settled pile of debris could, in reality, be lacking any genuine support and a secondary collapse could occur without warning.
PHASE THREE: All voids and accessible spaces created as a result of the collapse must be searched and explored for live victims. An audible call out system can be used during this phase (refer to the SAR Team Search Guidelines). Only trained canine or specially trained rescue personnel should be used in voids and accessible space searches.
PHASE FOUR: Selected debris removal, using special tools and techniques, may be necessary after locating a victim. It may be necessary to remove only certain obstructions that are blocking access to the victim. Information concerning a victim's location prior to the collapse can be helpful during the selected debris removal phase. Information gathering on other possible victim locations can greatly enhance the operation.
PHASE FIVE: General debris removal is usually conducted after all known victims have been removed. Exceptions would be: 1) when information is obtained that indicates the possibility of other victims not originally accounted for and, 2) when large amounts of debris are impairing or obstructing operations. The decision to use heavy equipment during this phase must be given serious consideration, especially when the possibility exists that there are still live victims in the debris.; PHASE THREE: All voids and accessible spaces created as a result of the collapse must be searched and explored for live victims. An audible call out system can be used during this phase (refer to the SAR Team Search Guidelines). Only trained canine or specially trained rescue personnel should be used in voids and accessible space searches.
PHASE FOUR: Selected debris removal, using special tools and techniques, may be necessary after locating a victim. It may be necessary to remove only certain obstructions that are blocking access to the victim. Information concerning a victim's location prior to the collapse can be helpful during the selected debris removal phase. Information gathering on other possible victim locations can greatly enhance the operation.
PHASE FIVE: General debris removal is usually conducted after all known victims have been removed. Exceptions would be: 1) when information is obtained that indicates the possibility of other victims not originally accounted for and, 2) when large amounts of debris are impairing or obstructing operations. The decision to use heavy equipment during this phase must be given serious consideration, especially when the possibility exists that there are still live victims in the debris.; PHASE FOUR: Selected debris removal, using special tools and techniques, may be necessary after locating a victim. It may be necessary to remove only certain obstructions that are blocking access to the victim. Information concerning a victim's location prior to the collapse can be helpful during the selected debris removal phase. Information gathering on other possible victim locations can greatly enhance the operation.
PHASE FIVE: General debris removal is usually conducted after all known victims have been removed. Exceptions would be: 1) when information is obtained that indicates the possibility of other victims not originally accounted for and, 2) when large amounts of debris are impairing or obstructing operations. The decision to use heavy equipment during this phase must be given serious consideration, especially when the possibility exists that there are still live victims in the debris.; PHASE FIVE: General debris removal is usually conducted after all known victims have been removed. Exceptions would be: 1) when information is obtained that indicates the possibility of other victims not originally accounted for and, 2) when large amounts of debris are impairing or obstructing operations. The decision to use heavy equipment during this phase must be given serious consideration, especially when the possibility exists that there are still live victims in the debris.

Rescue prioritization is based on: A mission assignment from the LEMA or the UN OSOCC. Any search intelligence/recommendations. The degree and difficulty of each opportunity. The possible end result of each opportunity. Any safety and security considerations. The capabilities and limitations of available resources (personnel, equipment, site accessibility, etc.).: A mission assignment from the LEMA or the UN OSOCC.
Any search intelligence/recommendations.
The degree and difficulty of each opportunity.
The possible end result of each opportunity.
Any safety and security considerations.
The capabilities and limitations of available resources (personnel, equipment, site accessibility, etc.).; Any search intelligence/recommendations.
The degree and difficulty of each opportunity.
The possible end result of each opportunity.
Any safety and security considerations.
The capabilities and limitations of available resources (personnel, equipment, site accessibility, etc.).; The degree and difficulty of each opportunity.
The possible end result of each opportunity.
Any safety and security considerations.
The capabilities and limitations of available resources (personnel, equipment, site accessibility, etc.).; The possible end result of each opportunity.
Any safety and security considerations.
The capabilities and limitations of available resources (personnel, equipment, site accessibility, etc.).; Any safety and security considerations.
The capabilities and limitations of available resources (personnel, equipment, site accessibility, etc.).; The capabilities and limitations of available resources (personnel, equipment, site accessibility, etc.).

Rescue Plan

A rescue plan will ensure that all the Rescue team efforts are brought to bear in a systematic and coordinated manner, utilizing the most up-to-date intelligence about victims and buildings.

The rescue plan should include: Identified objectives. All search results. Any resources assigned. Any safety and security issues. The capabilities of assigned resources. The limitations of assigned resources. Any other support resources. All communications requirements.: Identified objectives.
All search results.
Any resources assigned.
Any safety and security issues.
The capabilities of assigned resources.
The limitations of assigned resources.
Any other support resources.
All communications requirements.; All search results.
Any resources assigned.
Any safety and security issues.
The capabilities of assigned resources.
The limitations of assigned resources.
Any other support resources.
All communications requirements.; Any resources assigned.
Any safety and security issues.
The capabilities of assigned resources.
The limitations of assigned resources.
Any other support resources.
All communications requirements.; Any safety and security issues.
The capabilities of assigned resources.
The limitations of assigned resources.
Any other support resources.
All communications requirements.; The capabilities of assigned resources.
The limitations of assigned resources.
Any other support resources.
All communications requirements.; The limitations of assigned resources.
Any other support resources.
All communications requirements.; Any other support resources.
All communications requirements.; All communications requirements.

Implementation of the rescue plan should include: Personnel briefings. The commencement of rescue operations. The evaluation of operational effectiveness. Any plan revisions as appropriate.: Personnel briefings.
The commencement of rescue operations.
The evaluation of operational effectiveness.
Any plan revisions as appropriate.; The commencement of rescue operations.
The evaluation of operational effectiveness.
Any plan revisions as appropriate.; The evaluation of operational effectiveness.
Any plan revisions as appropriate.; Any plan revisions as appropriate.

Rescue Group Composition

The SAR team is composed (generically) of three functional components as well as a management component supported by the safety/security, information and planning, liaison and public information functions.

The core functional elements of the Rescue Group are: Management Rescue Safety Medical: Management
Rescue
Safety
Medical; Rescue
Safety
Medical; Safety
Medical; Medical

The supporting functional elements are: Structures engineering. Haz mat. Logistics. Doctors. Heavy lifting. Local resources. Interpreters.: Structures engineering.
Haz mat.
Logistics.
Doctors.
Heavy lifting.
Local resources.
Interpreters.; Haz mat.
Logistics.
Doctors.
Heavy lifting.
Local resources.
Interpreters.; Logistics.
Doctors.
Heavy lifting.
Local resources.
Interpreters.; Doctors.
Heavy lifting.
Local resources.
Interpreters.; Heavy lifting.
Local resources.
Interpreters.; Local resources.
Interpreters.; Interpreters.

Resource Utilization

Rescue operations are conducted following the principles of the five rescue phases. These phases are based on those tasks that are easily achievable, moving toward those that are more complicated. The on-site activities begin with the rescue work site set up.: These phases are based on those tasks that are easily achievable, moving toward those that are more complicated.
The on-site activities begin with the rescue work site set up.; The on-site activities begin with the rescue work site set up.

Rescue work site set up includes: Work site and collapse hazard zone identification. Operations post. Medical treatment area. Personnel staging area. Rescue equipment staging area. Cribbing/shoring working area. Entry/exit routes.: Work site and collapse hazard zone identification.
Operations post.
Medical treatment area.
Personnel staging area.
Rescue equipment staging area.
Cribbing/shoring working area.
Entry/exit routes.; Operations post.
Medical treatment area.
Personnel staging area.
Rescue equipment staging area.
Cribbing/shoring working area.
Entry/exit routes.; Medical treatment area.
Personnel staging area.
Rescue equipment staging area.
Cribbing/shoring working area.
Entry/exit routes.; Personnel staging area.
Rescue equipment staging area.
Cribbing/shoring working area.
Entry/exit routes.; Rescue equipment staging area.
Cribbing/shoring working area.
Entry/exit routes.; Cribbing/shoring working area.
Entry/exit routes.; Entry/exit routes.

A Rescue Squad must be staged in a state of full readiness should an unforeseen occurrence or emergency occur.

Once the size up is completed and the plan of action developed, a Team briefing must be conducted: A simple drawing of the site features and rescue operation should be made that can be quickly done on a writing pad or erasable marker board. In addition, safety considerations, structural concerns, hazard identification, emergency signaling and evacuation guidelines must be addressed at this time.: A simple drawing of the site features and rescue operation should be made that can be quickly done on a writing pad or erasable marker board.
In addition, safety considerations, structural concerns, hazard identification, emergency signaling and evacuation guidelines must be addressed at this time.; In addition, safety considerations, structural concerns, hazard identification, emergency signaling and evacuation guidelines must be addressed at this time.

Work Site Management and Coordination

Each work site must have one person designated as officer-in-charge to maintain unity of command. The officer-in-charge has authority over all assigned personnel. When two or more Rescue Squads are assigned to operate together, one officer-in-charge must be assigned to be in charge overall of the work site (this must be clearly communicated to all personnel involved). A work site safety officer should be assigned to all operations. The work site safety officer is responsible for acting as a second set of eyes and ears for the officer-in-charge, assisting in the formulation of the rescue plan, and focusing on safety considerations during rescue operations. It is important that the officers-in-charge and safety officers are clearly identified. (Refer to the SAR Team Identification & Marking Guidelines.) The tools, equipment and supplies in the equipment stock should be separated and organized according to their function. The set up and organization of the equipment stock must be addressed before significant rescue operations can be supported together with the maintenance requirements of the rescue equipment. Once the equipment stock is organized, it is imperative that an effective inventory and tracking process be implemented. The limited number of specialized tools may require them to be shared between one or more rescue sites during simultaneous operations. It is important that everyone coordinate the sharing and movement of these tools between the rescue sites. Adequate time should be allocated at scheduled shift exchanges for briefings and information exchange to promote continuity of operations. Management and supervision of local resources is of critical importance to the overall safety and effectiveness of rescue operations. Operational logs and site sketches should be maintained at all times. Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.
When two or more Rescue Squads are assigned to operate together, one officer-in-charge must be assigned to be in charge overall of the work site (this must be clearly communicated to all personnel involved). A work site safety officer should be assigned to all operations. The work site safety officer is responsible for acting as a second set of eyes and ears for the officer-in-charge, assisting in the formulation of the rescue plan, and focusing on safety considerations during rescue operations. It is important that the officers-in-charge and safety officers are clearly identified. (Refer to the SAR Team Identification & Marking Guidelines.) The tools, equipment and supplies in the equipment stock should be separated and organized according to their function. The set up and organization of the equipment stock must be addressed before significant rescue operations can be supported together with the maintenance requirements of the rescue equipment. Once the equipment stock is organized, it is imperative that an effective inventory and tracking process be implemented. The limited number of specialized tools may require them to be shared between one or more rescue sites during simultaneous operations. It is important that everyone coordinate the sharing and movement of these tools between the rescue sites. Adequate time should be allocated at scheduled shift exchanges for briefings and information exchange to promote continuity of operations. Management and supervision of local resources is of critical importance to the overall safety and effectiveness of rescue operations. Operational logs and site sketches should be maintained at all times. Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.
A work site safety officer should be assigned to all operations. The work site safety officer is responsible for acting as a second set of eyes and ears for the officer-in-charge, assisting in the formulation of the rescue plan, and focusing on safety considerations during rescue operations. It is important that the officers-in-charge and safety officers are clearly identified. (Refer to the SAR Team Identification & Marking Guidelines.) The tools, equipment and supplies in the equipment stock should be separated and organized according to their function. The set up and organization of the equipment stock must be addressed before significant rescue operations can be supported together with the maintenance requirements of the rescue equipment. Once the equipment stock is organized, it is imperative that an effective inventory and tracking process be implemented. The limited number of specialized tools may require them to be shared between one or more rescue sites during simultaneous operations. It is important that everyone coordinate the sharing and movement of these tools between the rescue sites. Adequate time should be allocated at scheduled shift exchanges for briefings and information exchange to promote continuity of operations. Management and supervision of local resources is of critical importance to the overall safety and effectiveness of rescue operations. Operational logs and site sketches should be maintained at all times. Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.
It is important that the officers-in-charge and safety officers are clearly identified. (Refer to the SAR Team Identification & Marking Guidelines.) The tools, equipment and supplies in the equipment stock should be separated and organized according to their function. The set up and organization of the equipment stock must be addressed before significant rescue operations can be supported together with the maintenance requirements of the rescue equipment. Once the equipment stock is organized, it is imperative that an effective inventory and tracking process be implemented. The limited number of specialized tools may require them to be shared between one or more rescue sites during simultaneous operations. It is important that everyone coordinate the sharing and movement of these tools between the rescue sites. Adequate time should be allocated at scheduled shift exchanges for briefings and information exchange to promote continuity of operations. Management and supervision of local resources is of critical importance to the overall safety and effectiveness of rescue operations. Operational logs and site sketches should be maintained at all times. Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.
The tools, equipment and supplies in the equipment stock should be separated and organized according to their function. The set up and organization of the equipment stock must be addressed before significant rescue operations can be supported together with the maintenance requirements of the rescue equipment. Once the equipment stock is organized, it is imperative that an effective inventory and tracking process be implemented. The limited number of specialized tools may require them to be shared between one or more rescue sites during simultaneous operations. It is important that everyone coordinate the sharing and movement of these tools between the rescue sites. Adequate time should be allocated at scheduled shift exchanges for briefings and information exchange to promote continuity of operations. Management and supervision of local resources is of critical importance to the overall safety and effectiveness of rescue operations. Operational logs and site sketches should be maintained at all times. Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.
Once the equipment stock is organized, it is imperative that an effective inventory and tracking process be implemented. The limited number of specialized tools may require them to be shared between one or more rescue sites during simultaneous operations. It is important that everyone coordinate the sharing and movement of these tools between the rescue sites. Adequate time should be allocated at scheduled shift exchanges for briefings and information exchange to promote continuity of operations. Management and supervision of local resources is of critical importance to the overall safety and effectiveness of rescue operations. Operational logs and site sketches should be maintained at all times. Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.
The limited number of specialized tools may require them to be shared between one or more rescue sites during simultaneous operations. It is important that everyone coordinate the sharing and movement of these tools between the rescue sites. Adequate time should be allocated at scheduled shift exchanges for briefings and information exchange to promote continuity of operations. Management and supervision of local resources is of critical importance to the overall safety and effectiveness of rescue operations. Operational logs and site sketches should be maintained at all times. Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.
Adequate time should be allocated at scheduled shift exchanges for briefings and information exchange to promote continuity of operations. Management and supervision of local resources is of critical importance to the overall safety and effectiveness of rescue operations. Operational logs and site sketches should be maintained at all times. Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.
Management and supervision of local resources is of critical importance to the overall safety and effectiveness of rescue operations. Operational logs and site sketches should be maintained at all times. Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.
Operational logs and site sketches should be maintained at all times. Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.
Following extrication of deceased victims, the remains should be processed as directed by the UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA.