itle: Search and Rescue Operations

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USC CERT
Search and Rescue Operations

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Search and Rescue
In a disaster, CERT teams assist with light
search rescue
A team may be assigned to search a
particular
building or area
LIGHT search rescue
Heavy rescue (collapsed building) done by
professionals

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People trapped after a disaster can survive
hours or even days
The more quickly they are rescued the
better
their chance of survival

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Search and Rescue Operations
Search
Assess damage/sizeup situation
Locate victims.
Document location.
Rescue
Extricate victims
Triage/stabilize
Move victims
Mark location as searched

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Objectives Of Search And Rescue
Rescue greatest number in shortest amount
of time
Rescue lightly trapped victims first
Always protect rescuer safety

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Decision To Attempt Rescue
Risk involved to the rescuer
Most important person is rescuer!
Greatest good for greatest number of
people

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Sizeup
Assess Damage.
Analyze Situation.
Develop action plan.

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Gather facts
Time of Day/Day of week
Type of Structure
Occupancy of Building
Construction type
Hazards

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Assess Damage
Three levels of damage
Light damage
Moderate damage
Major damage

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When to Search Rescue
LIGHT DAMAGE YES
MODERATE DAMAGE Cautiously
HEAVY DAMAGE NO

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LIGHT DAMAGE
Superficial damage
Broken windows
Fallen or cracked plaster
Minor damage to interior contents
Few small hairline cracks

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LIGHT DAMAGE
Locate, triage and remove victims gradually
Transport victims to field hospital or
treatment
areas

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MODERATE DAMAGE
Substantial damage in many areas
Multiple visible cracks in walls
Substantial damage to interior such as
many toppled furnishings,
fallen ceilings

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MODERATE DAMAGE
Locate, stabilize and immediately evacuate
victims to a safe area
Minimize the amount of time spent in the
building

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MAJOR DAMAGE
Major cracks more than 1/8 in loadbearing
walls
Major damage to loadbearing columns or
beams
Large X-shaped cracks in the building
exterior
Building leaning
Partial collapse

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MAJOR DAMAGE
Secure the building perimeter
Vocal triage
DO NOT enter the building
Wait for heavy rescue teams

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Single-Family Dwellings
Wood Frame light damage to
masonry/chimneys
Pre-1940 House may slide off foundation
Hillside ground failure and considerable
damage

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Pre-1933 Unreinforced Brick/Masonry
Bricks on edge every 5-7 rows
Expect Heavy Damage unless well
reinforced
Walls collapse first, then the roof

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Tilt-Up Structures
Expect Heavy Damage
Lightweight roof construction makes them
subject
to collapse

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Steel Frame High-Rise Buildings
Usually Light or Moderate Damage
Structures are reinforced
Main damage will be
broken glass
content movement
exterior trim/facades

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Search Operations
Make rescuer safety your primary concern.
Use a buddy system.
Be alert for hazards.
Use safety equipment.
Rotate teams.
TeamworkSuccess

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Locating Victims
Identify VOIDS where victims may be

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Conducting Search Operations
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Pancake Voids
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Conducting Search Operations
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Lean-To Voids
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V Voids
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V Voids
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Individual Voids
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Individual Voids

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Search Systematically
Call out to victims
Use systematic search pattern
Stop frequently to listen
Triangulate
Mark searched areas/document
Report results
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Call Out to Victims
Anyone that can hear me, come to the
sound of my
voice!
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Use Systematic Search Pattern
Bottom Up/Top Down (multi-story
buildings)
Right Wall/Left Wall