International Search and Rescue Response Guidelines

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Preparedness Phase
• Activation Phase
  • Safety Issues
  • Security Issues
• Home Base Departure
• 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

Search and rescue operations are dependent on all the disciplines working in close concert with each other. These operations take place in a dangerous and sometimes hostile environment. If any team function fails to carry out their respective assignment in a safe and secure manner, the risk of injury to, or death of, a team member is greatly increased.

Although the risk of injury or death is greatest during disaster operations, it can also occur at other times. For this reason, a number of safety and security considerations associated with each phase of team missions are included in this guideline.

Overall safety and security is the ultimate responsibility of the Team Management. However, all Team members are personally responsible for their own safety and security and that of other Team members including the need to identify, report and mitigate unsafe or unsecure situations.

Personnel - Team Management should ensure that:

Team members are physically able to perform their tasks.

Appropriate immunizations for working in the affected country.

Personnel have appropriate documentation (i.e., passport, visa, shot record, emergency contacts for next-of-kin).

T Team members have appropriate clothing for incident environments.

A medical profile will be available and that it contains information on Team members' medical history.

Equipment and supplies - Team Management should ensure that:

Safety practices are incorporated into the packaging, labeling, storing, and movement of equipment.

Specialized equipment should be accompanied with operator manuals.

Team members are trained in the use of their respective equipment, personal protective equipment, and hazard identification and mitigation procedures.

Food in sufficient quantities are identified which are appropriate for entry into the affected country and will not adversely affect personal health and performance.

Adequate water is available for the initial phase and that water purification equipment is sufficient to support team needs.

Sufficient sanitation and hygiene provisions are available for deployment.

Security - Team Management should ensure that:

Team members are trained to understand and conform to security practices as specified in the current version of UN Security in the Field.

The UN has five phases of security:

Phase I - Precautionary

Phase II - Restricted Movement

Phase III - Relocation

Phase IV - Program Suspension

Phase V - Evacuation

There should be procedures in place to obtain security information in disaster-affected countries.

Safety Issues

The Team Management should ensure that:

The safety function is assigned.

General and disaster-specific safety issues are identified and included in the initial Team briefing.

Environmental conditions at the disaster area are identified.

All personnel check in with the proper personal protective equipment and appropriate clothing for the environment.

All personnel are cleared medically prior to deployment.

Security Issues

Team Management should ensure that:

The security function is assigned.

General and specific security issues are identified and included in the initial Team briefing.

Security procedures are in place for all equipment (personal and team).

Identify and brief on the hazards associated with transport (i.e., fixed or rotor wing, ships, ground transport).

Home Base to the Affected Country

Monitor for compliance to safety and security practices.

To the Disaster Site

Receive briefing from UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA on safety and security aspects including:

Type and condition of transport equipment.

Local driving customs.

Movement of equipment stock.

Special hazards (i.e., road conditions, land mines, animals, infrastructure, weather, looting, civil unrest, criminal acts, restricted areas, check point procedures, escort procedures, etc.).

Identify local medical capabilities for emergencies.

Implement security procedures as appropriate:

Vehicle inspection program.

Reserve fuel supply.

Movement procedure.

Evacuation route.

Establish safe haven.

Roll call system.

Communications protocols.

• Liaison with UN OSOCC and/or the LEMA on safety and security issues.
• Conduct a risk/hazard analysis of the SAR Base of Operations (SAR BoO) site, travel routes and assigned work area.
• Establish perimeter control procedure for SAR BoO and work site(s).
• Brief Team personnel on safety and security aspects.
• Continually mitigate risks/hazards.
• Continually monitor for compliance and initiate corrective action in all areas of Team activity.
• Ensure safety and security considerations are included in the plan of action and briefings.
• Ensure a warning system and evacuation plan is established, briefed and exercised.
• Roll call capability of all personnel should be maintained throughout the mission.
• Ensure that Team personnel do not work alone (use the "buddy system").
• Identify secure routes of travel to and from SAR BoO and work sites.
• Provide adequate lighting for security of SAR BoO and work sites.
• Continually monitor weather forecast.
• Ensure biomedical control measures are adhered to (i.e., body recovery, patient handling, hygiene, etc.).
• Investigate and document all accidents.
• Ensure personnel and equipment decontaminating practices are followed prior to leaving the work site.
• Ensure that all Team personnel have adequate means of communications.
• Ensure rest, rotation, hydration, and feeding of Team members.

Personnel considerations that should be taken into account include:

Mitigating fatigue.

Monitoring for stress.

Preventing loss of concentration and motivation.

Maintaining team discipline.

Ensuring information exchange (briefings).

Ensuring safe and secure practices are followed for the breakdown and packaging of the SAR BoO.

On the return to the home base, the following safety and security issues should be considered:

Safety and security concerns are incorporated into the final Team after-action report. It is imperative that the safety findings and lessons learned are highlighted and incorporated into future training sessions, field exercises, and operational guidelines.

Safety equipment and supplies must be restocked.