First Responder
Basic SAR Training
Module 1: Introduction to US&R
May 2011
First Responder Basic SAR Training
Module Objective
Upon completion of this module, participants
will have a basic understanding of the FEMA
National Urban Search & Rescue Response
System and basic operating guidelines.
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Enabling Objectives
Successful participants will understand:
• The FEMA National Urban Search &
Rescue Response System including
Incident Support Team capabilities
• Rules of Engagement
• Catastrophic Search and Rescue
Addendum
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Unit 1
FEMA National Urban Search & Rescue
Response System
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Terminal Objective
Upon completion of this unit, participants will have
a basic understanding of the FEMA National Urban
Search & Rescue Response System.
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Enabling Objectives
Successful participants will understand:
• Task force capabilities
• Incident Support Team capabilities
• The FEMA US&R response history
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
FEMA US&R System
• Established under FEMA in 1989
• Deployed for rescue of survivors of structural
collapse
• Activates under National Response Framework
(NRF), Emergency Services Function-9, Search
and Rescue
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
National Response
Framework
SAR Responsibilities
Coast Guard
Maritime
FEMA
Urban
National Park
Service
Land
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
28 FEMA Task Forces
• Type I: 70 members
capable of performing
heavy rescue
• Type III: 35 members
configured for lighter
construction
• Specialists for
structural, hazardous
materials, search
(including trained
search dogs), logistics,
rescue and medical
• Supported by 70,000 lb
equipment cache
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Task Force Capabilities
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•
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Physical SAR
Emergency medical care
Recon
Assessment/shut-off of utilities
Hazmat evaluation
Structural/hazard evaluation of critical buildings
Stabilization of damaged structures
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Incident Support Team
Capabilities
• Provides technical assistance in acquiring and
using US&R resources
• Provides Incident Command System capability
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Assistance, management, coordination of TF’s
Coordination of US&R logistics support
Structured according to ICS guidelines
Advance Element (IST-A) consists of 35 positions
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
National US&R Training Courses
• ESF-9 / Incident Support
Team
• Task Force Leader
• Canine Search Specialist
• Technical Search Specialist
• Heavy Equipment & Rigging
Specialist
• Structural Collapse
Technician Train-the-Trainer
• Medical Specialist
• Logistics Specialist
• Communications
Specialist
• Planning Team
• Safety Officer
• Search Management
and Planning
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Local Training Courses
• Orientation
• Incident Command
System
• First Aid / CPR
• WMD Enhanced
Operations
• WMD Medical
Considerations
• USAF Hazardous
Materials Certification
(Logistics personnel)
• Water Operations
Awareness
• Structural Collapse
Technician
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Operational Readiness
Determination
• On-site evaluations
– Every 3 years
– Program Office staff and TF peers
• Three areas evaluated, 16 elements reviewed
– Management
– Logistics
– Operations
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Response Benefits
• Consistent and concise operational
procedures
• National training curriculum for positionspecific training
• Deployment of IST for large events
• All elements of US&R system shared
with other responders
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Response History
2001 25 TF’s for 9/11
2002 11 TF’s Winter
Olympics
2003 19 TF’s Columbia
Space Shuttle,
Hurricane Isabel
2004 22 TF’s G-8 Summit,
DNC, RNC, Multiple
Hurricanes
2005 28 TF’s Multiple
Hurricanes
2006 14 TF’s Hurricane
Ernesto
2007 4 TF’s Weather
Events
2008 24 TF’s RNC,
Hurricanes
2009 4 TF’s Presidential
Inauguration, Floods
2010 4 TF’s Haiti
Earthquake
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Summary
• The US&R System has 28 integrated disaster response
TF’s strategically located in the U.S.. These TF’s are
deployed by FEMA for the rescue of survivors of
structural collapse.
• They are made up of local resources and are capable of
performing heavy rescue on large concrete structural
collapse incidents.
• The standardization developed has resulted in concise
operational procedures and position-specific National
Training Curriculum.
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Unit 2
Rules of Engagement
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Terminal Objective
Upon completion of this unit, participants will be
able to understand basic protocols for engaging in
search and rescue operations.
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Enabling Objectives
Successful participants will understand:
• Local Protocols
• Search and Rescue Protocols
• Survivor Medical Care
• Handling Human Remains
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Local Protocols
• Outside responders adhere to local policies and
protocols determined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction
(AHJ)
• Response Procedures
– Automatic Aid Agreements
– Mutual Aid Agreements
– Emergency Management Assistance Compact
– National Response Framework
• Fluctuating SAR Protocols
– Vary due to local rules of engagement
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Survivor Medical Care
• SAR personnel provide initial assistance during
extrication
• Survivor transferred to closest medical authority
– Trauma center or hospital
– Disaster Medical Assistance Team
• Follow local procedures for medical documentation
• Log every injured survivor contacted
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Name and age
Location
Contact information
Chief complaint
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Human Remains
• AHJ or IC determine protocols for
extrication and disposition of remains
• Be aware of cultural, political and
emotional influences
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Summary
• When outside resources respond to a disaster,
must abide by local rules of engagement.
• There are protocols for requesting outside
resources and for operational functions such as
Search and Rescue, Survivor Medical Care and
Handling Human Remains.
• Whatever the rules are, outside personnel must
understand them, adhere to them, and respect
them.
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Unit 3
CISAR Addendum
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Terminal Objective
Upon completion of this unit, participants will
understand the U.S. National SAR System, the
National Search and Rescue Committee and the
Catastrophic Incident SAR Addendum.
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Enabling Objectives
Successful participants will understand:
• National SAR System and the National SAR
Committee (NSARC)
• Purpose of the Catastrophic Incident SAR
(CISAR) Addendum
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Hurricane Katrina Report
• Stated that the National SAR Plan needed
to be revised to clarify its role in disaster
response.
• CISAR Addendum was developed as a
result.
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
NSARC Documents
• U.S. National SAR Plan (NSP) – Coordinates SAR
services and assigns Fed SAR Coordinator responsibilities
• National SAR Supplement (NSS) – Provides guidance to
Federal Agencies on NSP implementation and provides
guidance to all Federal forces, military and civilian, that
support civil SAR operations
• Catastrophic Incident SAR (CISAR) Addendum –
provides guidance for SAR responders during the first 2472 hrs and informs Federal Authorities and States what to
expect of Federal SAR responders during CISAR incidents
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Catastrophic Incident SAR
Addendum Overview
• Provides guidance for first 24-72 hrs
• Federal SAR responders support the State
unless declared otherwise
• Lifesaving operations, most critical aspect, must
occur regardless of lack of coordinated response
• State, tribal and local responders must plan for
no-notice events
– Identify survivor drop-off points
– Support/logistics locations
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First Responder Basic SAR Training
Summary
• U.S. National SAR System defines the roles and
responsibilities for SAR in the United States.
• The National Search and Rescue Committee
oversees the National SAR Plan and
coordinates interagency SAR matters.
• Catastrophic Incident SAR Addendum provides
guidance for all SAR responders during the first
24-72 hours of a disaster.
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