1 Introduction

1.1 Purpose
a. The purpose of the DRRO is to provide guidelines for standard methods
of training for General Rescue techniques.

b. To provide rescue workers with a range of core skills to safely and

effectively locate, extract and rescue victims from a variety of events.
It is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provide a framework for the
development of individual rescue workers, and ultimately rescue teams.

2 General rescue background

2.1 Objectives
The aim of rescue and demonstrate awareness of:
 • the 3 categories of rescue workers
 • personal traits of the rescue worker
 • some important areas of personal behavior related to rescue

3 Categories of Rescue Worker

 Category 1 – Survivors
The immediate reaction of survivors in a major incident, once they have
discovered that they are not injured, is to help their neighbors and families.
 Category 2 – Untrained personnel
The second ‘wave’ of rescue workers is drawn from people either witnessing the
event from the immediate vicinity, or are drawn to the site by curiosity and a
desire to assist the victims.
 Category 3 – Trained personnel
The last group to arrive at the scene is the trained rescuers: Police, Fire, Civil
Defense, etc.

The aim of rescue

 To save the greatest number of lives in the shortest possible time and to
minimize further injury to people and damage to property.

2.3 Functions
 Common rescue functions include:
 • Access to, and the support and removal of, trapped people in the course
of rescue operations.
 • Assistance with the recovery of the dead (managed and conducted by
Police).
 • Provision of support on request to other services, authorities or specialist
teams.xxx
Rescue52
WARNING NOTE:
In order to achieve the aim of rescue, all rescuers must be trained in basic life
sustaining first aid to recognised standards.

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE FORMING A TEAM

 Many considerations must be made before starting a rescue team,

including whether a team is really needed, whether local officials will
support a team,
 The following questions should be considered by a rescue chief before
starting-up a technical rescue team.

Is a team needed in our community?

 This question can be answered by conducting a risk analysis of your

community.
 The ultimate decision for choosing to develop technical rescue expertise
should be based on the needs of your community.
 You must honestly and accurately assess the risk level in your community
and if the risk is real,

What type of team is needed for our

community?

 Another consideration centers on the type of team that would be needed.

 Should the team have a single function, or is expertise needed in multiple
disciplines? Again, this question can best be answered after conducting a
risk assessment.

How much will it cost to form a team,

and is funding is available?

 You must thoroughly evaluate both the start up costs and the ongoing
operational costs for this type of venture.
 Start up costs may be very expensive, but depend on the equipment you
already possess and the type of team you want to initiate.
 A majority of start up costs go toward equipment purchases and training.

 Operational costs may include ongoing training, equipment maintenance,

and salaries if paid employees are utilized.
 You must consider whether the funding already exists for a new rescue
team and how likely it is for you to obtain funding.
 Funding may come internally from your city or externally from donations
by outside organizations.
Rescue52
Would elected officials and city
management support a Technical
Rescue Team?

 The formation of any rescue team will require support and commitment
from our Local officials.
 They will have the ultimate say about funding a team. The basic expenses
such as purchasing special equipment or funding overtime training can
only be met if there is full support from outside officials.
 Their support is also necessary if you try to share resources with other
communities.

What dangers are posed by forming

a team?

 Technical rescue, like firefighting, is dangerous. Certainly risks can be

limited by providing proper training about safe rescue techniques and by
purchasing equipment designed to make rescues safer.
 but you must consider what dangers will confront rescuers and whether
you and the rescuers are willing to face these dangers in a real incident.
 Technical rescuers may face many risks including asphyxiation within a
confined space.
 fall injuries from operating on ropes,
 and drowning while operating in swiftwater conditions.
 One of the greatest mistakes made when forming a team is to think that
you can create a team without basic training and basic equipment
 Some departments have attempted to start a team or perform dangerous
rescues without having basic equipment or training.
 This is extremely risky from the standpoint of both the rescuers and the
victims.

HOW TO FORM A TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM

 PHASE I: ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY RISKS AND RESCUE

NEEDS.

 PHASE II: PLANNING.

 PHASE Ill: DEVELOPMENT OF TEAM.

 PHASE IV: DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARD OPERATING

PROCEDURES
Rescue52
Personal traits of the rescue worker
Rescue work is not an easy task, nor is it necessarily a ‘glamorous’ one.
Certainly not all people are suited to such work. Physical fitness, personality, and
emotional stability are all factors in determining one’s suitability. Ideally, the
rescuer will have the following qualities:

• Interest- A genuine interest in rescue work, not just because of peer pressure,
trying to impress etc.
• Training- The will to continually undergo training to maintain a professional
standard.
• Cooperation- Rescue work is usually a team effort, hence cooperation with
others is vital.
• Dependability- The lives of victims and team members rely on the rescuer.
• Initiative- The nature of rescue operations is such that it is often impossible to
closely supervise each team member. Each must be able to see what needs
doing, set priorities and do the tasks at hand.
• Versatility- Each situation is unique. An individual must be able to apply a
wide range of skills and knowledge to new situations.
• Physical fitness- Rescue work of any kind is physically demanding and often
continues for long periods. Any physical limitations must be recognised and
taken into consideration.
• Leadership qualities- Required by all rescuers at various times and to
varying degrees. Through the capable leadership of trained rescuers, many
more untrained personnel may be utilised.
• Control over fears and phobias- It is important that rescuers know what they
can and cannot do. Part of this knowledge consists of being aware of any
phobias. It is also vital that the leader of a rescue team knows of any phobias
in team members. Some phobias that could seriously affect a rescuer and
which may be identified in training are:
o The fear of the sight of blood (Hemophobia)
o The fear of heights (Acrophobia)
o The fear of confined spaces (Claustrophobia)
o The fear of water (Hydrophobia)
Good dress and bearing- Appearance should instill confidence in others.

Rescue52
Personal behaviors

A few of the more important general areas of conduct or behaviors follow:

• Attitude—A serious, professional attitude must be maintained to gain

confidence and support.

Emotions—Emotions are hard to control in the best of circumstances. In a

disaster the control of emotions is a very difficult task but every effort must be
made to prevent emotions from influencing good judgement and competence.
Regardless of the excitement and the severity of the incident, the rescuer
must be able to remain calm, and be sympathetic without becoming
emotionally involved.

Confidentiality—During rescue activities and training there may be times

when rescuers will see and hear things which will be deemed confidential. It is
essential that they understand this, be ‘professional’ and do not discuss these
matters with others.

Activation
Each team should have a callout system established, and have determined the
time necessary to ensure a full team response.

This system should include such details as:

• Who calls out the team

• Who will be responsible for them
• Where to report
• What functions the team will perform
• What equipment to take
• Likely duration of task or event.

Rescue52