Contra Costa County CERT Program
Unit 5 – Light Search & RescueReleased: 18 August 2011Released: 18 August 2011
Visual 5.2
Community Emergency Response Team
Personal safety is ALWAYS the number one priority Work as a team Wear personal protective equipment…gloves, helmet,
goggles, N95 mask and boots
The CERT goal is to do the
Greatest Good for the Greatest Number Hope for the best but plan for the worst
Visual 5.3
Unit Objectives
Identify size-up requirements for potential search and rescue situations
Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure
Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication using a lever and cribbing
Visual 5.4
Top Ten Natural Disasters
Event Year FEMA Funding
Hurricane Katrina(AL, LA, MS)
2005 $7.2 billion*
Northridge Earthquake(CA)
1994 $6.961 billion
Hurricane Georges(AL, FL, LA, MS, PR, VI)
1998 $2.251 billion
Hurricane Ivan(AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, TN, WVA)
2004 $1.947 billion**
Hurricane Andrew(FL, LA)
1992 $1.813 billion
Hurricane Charley(FL, SC)
2004 $1.559 billion**
Hurricane Frances(FL, GA, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC)
2004 $1.425 billion**
Hurricane Jeanne(DE, FL, PR, VI, VA)
2004 $1.407 billion**
Tropical Storm Allison(FL, LA, MS, PA, TX)
2001 $1.387 billion
Hurricane Hugo(NC, SC, PR, VI)
1989 $1.307 billion
Ranked By FEMA Relief Costs
Visual 5.5
What is the chance of a big earthquake?
"The USGS has estimated a 62 percent chance of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake in the Bay Area within the next 28 years"
- John Rundle, director of the Center for Computational Science and Engineering at the University of California, Davis 2008
Visual 5.7
Rescue Skills Needed
Entombed
Void SpaceNon-Structural
Entrapment
Non-Structural Entrapment
Injured NOT Trapped
USARTeams
Emergency Services Provider
CERT Teams
Spontaneous Rescue Teams
5%
15%
30%
50%
Visual 5.8
The Golden DayEntrapped Victim Survival Rate
30 Minutes 99.3%
1 Day 81.0%
2 Days 36.7%
3 Days 33.7%
4 Days 19.0%
5 Days 7.4%
Time Until Rescue Survival Rate
Buck Helm’s CarCypress Structure
Loma Prieta EarthquakePhoto Courtesy of Ben Ho
Visual 5.9
Goals of Search and Rescue
Keep rescuers safe Rescue greatest number in
shortest amount of time Get “walking wounded” out
first Rescue lightly trapped
victims next
Visual 5.10
Search and Rescue Operations
1. Size-up
Evaluate everything that is going on
2. Search
Locate victims
Document location
3. Rescue
Involve procedures and methods to extricate victims
Visual 5.11
Search and Rescue Safety
Always have a whistle! The following “Emergency Alerting System” is to be used in
the event of problems at the site: Evacuate - 3 short blasts (1 second each)
• Out – Out - Out• Drop everything and get out now!
Cease Operations - 1 long blast (3 seconds duration)• Quiet• Stop what you’re doing and wait for instructions
Resume Operations -1 long and 1 short blast• Oooh - Kay
This is the FEMA US&R Standard
Visual 5.12
Search and Rescue Safety
Earthquakes aftershocks Severe after shocks following a major earthquake are
common and can create additional injuries and fatalities Unstable structures including bridges, overpasses, high
rises, homes and water towers may suffer further collapse as a result of after shocks
First responders must be constantly aware that they may be affected by such events and take necessary precautions while conducting their operations.
Many injuries and deaths of first responders could be prevented if more precautions against additional shock waves were taken
Visual 5.13
Search and Rescue Safety
With the constant threat of terrorist attacks it is essential that response teams pay special attention to a very new and potentially deadly threat
Everyone has to heighten their awareness of their surroundings
Secondary explosions are becoming common techniques used to cause serious injury and possibly mass death for response teams
There are no second chances when explosions are used for this purpose
After an explosion it is safe to assume that a secondary devise is involved, unless proven otherwise
Visual 5.16
CERT Search and Rescue Size-up
1. Gather Facts2. Assess Damage and Communicate3. Consider Probabilities4. Assess Your Situation5. Establish Priorities6. Make Decisions7. Develop Plan of Action8. Take Action9. Evaluate Progress
Visual 5.17
Step 1: Gather Facts
Consider: Time of event and day of week Type of structure and construction type Weather Hazards Occupancy
Gather facts accurately
Visual 5.18
Step 2: Assess Damage
360 degree (overview and assessment) Identify entry and egress routes Identify hazards Is it safe to enter ? Potential for occupants
Interview neighbors Voice ‘call out’
Visual 5.19
Assess Damage
CERT mission changes if: Damage is light Damage is moderate Damage is heavy
Consider structure typeand age
Never enter a structurewith heavy damage!
Visual 5.20
Assess Damage
Light Damage
Light: Superficial or cosmetic damage, broken windows, fallen plaster; primary damage to contents of structure
Locate, triage, and prioritize removal of victims to designated treatment areas by the medical operation teams
Visual 5.21
Assess Damage
Moderate Damage Moderate:
Questionable structural stability; fractures, tilting, foundation movement or displacement
Locate, stabilize, and immediately evacuate victims to a safe area while minimizing the number of rescuers inside the building
Visual 5.22
Assess DamageHeavy Damage
Heavy:
Obvious structural instability; partial or total wall collapse, ceiling failures
Secure the building perimeter and control access into the structure by untrained but well-intentioned volunteers
Visual 5.23
Assess DamageHeavy Damage
Loma Prieta earthquake damage in San Francisco. The soft first story is due to construction of garages in the first story and resultant reduction in shear strength. Photo from: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/bytopic/photos.html
Visual 5.24
Collapse Zone: Stay Out of This Area
• The collapse zone is one and a half times the height of the building (X), in all directions (Y)
• Example: 40’ tall building, collapse zone is 60’ out from building
• For buildings, chimneys and other tall things that can fall or crumbleDanger tape goes here
Visual 5.25
Hazards – Light Frame Construction
Loose HVAC equipment Cracked stucco Check doors and frame to see
if square Brick chimneys Broken electrical Lines Masonry veneer can fall off House off foundation Broken glass Loose roof tiles Separated porches or
overhangs Broken Gas and Water lines
Visual 5.31
Unstable Buildings
Falling Debris
Energized Wires
Loose Footing
Hazmat
Emotionally Unstable Survivors
Fire
Glass
Animals
Ground Level Hazards
Visual 5.35
Step 3: Consider Probabilities
How stable is the situation?
What else could go wrong?
What it all means for the Search and Rescue?
Consider what probably will happen and what could happen
Visual 5.36
Step 4: Assess Your Situation
Assess : Whether the situation is safe enough to continue The risks that rescuers will face if they continue What resource you will need to conduct the operation
safely What resources are available
Personnel Equipment Tools
Visual 5.39
CERT Search and Rescue Size-up
1. Gather Facts2. Assess Damage3. Consider Probabilities4. Assess Your Situation5. Establish Priorities6. Make Decisions7. Develop Plan of Action8. Take Action9. Evaluate Progress
Visual 5.40
Step 5: Establish Priorities
What should be done? In what order? How to rescue the greatest
number in the shortest amount of time?
Visual 5.41
Step 6: Make Decisions
Keep in mind: Safety of CERT members Life safety for victims and
others Protection of the
environment Protection of property
Visual 5.42
Step 7: Develop Plan of Action
Focus operation on established priorities and decisions
Provide for documentation to give to responding agencies
Provide for documentation to become part of CERT records
Visual 5.43
Safety Considerations
Make rescuer safety your primary concern Use a buddy system Be alert for hazards Use safety equipment Rotate teams
Teamwork = Success
Visual 5.44
Search Methodology
An effective search methodology:
Is systematic and thorough Avoids unnecessary duplication
of effort Provides for documentation of
search results
Visual 5.45
Search Methods
1. Call out to victims
2. Stop frequently to listen
3. Use systematic search pattern
4. Mark searched areas to document what you found
5. Report what you found
Visual 5.46
Conducting Search Operations Pancake Voids: Pancake voids (most common in pre-1933
buildings) are small voids throughout a structure that are created by weakening or destruction of load-bearing walls and the resulting collapse of floors onto each other.
Lean-To Voids: Lean-to voids are created when a collapsed wall or floor is resting against an outside wall, creating a pocket of space.
“V” Voids: These voids are created by a “V” collapse of a floor or wall: the middle collapses and the ends lean against the outside walls..
Visual 5.49
Decision To Attempt Rescue
Risk involved to the rescuer
Greatest good for greatest number of people
Visual 5.50
Step 8: Take Action
Start the Search Identify alternate exits Stay together & along the walls Start search from top down Right or left handed pattern Continue to call out and listen Move slowly testing the floor Mark each individual unit Complete “X” after leaving
Visual 5.51
While Searching
Always know the closest way out Knock, shout, and listen
Call out to victims
“If anyone can hear my voice, come here” Ask any victims who do respond for more information
about the building or others who may be trapped
Search under & around debris Check elevators Victims might be in shock or confused
Always be alert for aftershocks, Always be alert for aftershocks, fires, and the smell of gasfires, and the smell of gas
Visual 5.57
Victim Marking System
Make a large “V” (2’ x 2’) with marker or Orange Paint near the known or potential victim. Add team ID and arrow with distance to the victim.
Visual 5.58
Victim Marking System
Make a circle around the “V” when a potential victim has been confirmed to be alive. If more than one confirmed live victim, mark total number under the “V”.
Visual 5.59
Victim Marking System
Make a horizonal line through the “V” when a potential victim has been confirmed to be dead. If a combination of live and deceased victims are found, make two “V”s.
Visual 5.61
Building Marking System
Buildings are marked by Structural Engineers only!
CERT OK
NO CERT
NO CERT
Visual 5.64
Exterior Search
Set up a grid search Set distance between
searchers according to visibility and debris
Overlap patterns for full coverage
Search in as straight a line as possible
Mark areas that have been searched
Visual 5.66
Conducting Rescue Operations
Maintain rescuer safety Create a safe rescue environment
Move debris and objects out of the way Use tools not your backs to move objects
Triage and stabilize victims in lightly and moderately damaged buildings
Evacuate victims quickly but safely
Visual 5.67
Proper Lifting Method
Back straight Bend knees Keep load close
to body Push up with legs
Visual 5.68
Extrication Method
Depends upon: General stability of immediate environment Number of rescuers available Tools and equipment available Strength and ability of rescuers Condition of victim
Visual 5.69
Removing Victims
Types of victim removal include: Self-removal or assist Lifts and drags
Allow victims to extricate themselves
when possible
Visual 5.70
Single Person Lift
If safety and time permit, you should not use lifts and drags to remove victims when closed-head or spinal injury is suspected
One-Person Arm CarryOne-Person Pack-Strap Carry
Not Good
Visual 5.75
Planning / Staging
Conduct a size-up of the scene Have one person in charge and formulate a
plan of action Gather necessary materials for leveraging (lifting) and cribbing operations
Visual 5.76
Leveraging And Cribbing
When a large object such as a collapsed wall or heavy debris needs to be moved in order to free victims, leverage and cribbing may be used. Leverage is obtained by wedging a lever (pole or other
long object) under the object that needs to be moved with a stationary object underneath it to act as a fulcrum. When the lever is forced down over the fulcrum, greater force is obtained to lift the object.
A crib is a framework of wooden, plastic or metal bars used for support or strengthening. Box cribbing means arranging pairs of wood pieces alternately to form a stable rectangle. In a disaster situation, debris may be available to use for cribbing.
Visual 5.77
Leveraging
Lever Defined: A rigid bar, either straight or bent, that is free to move on a fixed point called a fulcrum
A lever works by transferring a force from one place to another while at the same time changing the direction of the force
Clallam County Technical Rescue Team photo
Visual 5.79
Leveraging (Lifting)
Stabilize the object to be lifted
Initiate the lift using the lever and fulcrum for mechanical advantage
Have someone available to handle the victim As the object is lifted, add cribbing as needed; build
on the foundation of the box crib When the object is adequately supported, the victim
may be removed
Lift an inch, Crib an inch
Visual 5.80
Cribbing
4” x 4” wood
6,000 lbs. at each joint
24,000 lbs. total if load is supported by 4 joints
54,000 lbs. total if load is supported by 9 joints
Visual 5.81
Cribbing
Wood fails at cut ends first Overlap ends by width of
member – 4x4 = 3.5” overlap Don’t crib higher than three
times the width of the crib Load needs to be supported
with wood-to-wood contact all the way to the ground
Visual 5.82
Cribbing
Shims are used to match the angle of a surface
Shims balance the load by ensuring even contact
Copyright Marin Sheriff’s Search & Rescue
Visual 5.83
Cribbing
Wedges are used as variable height crib members
Wedges are inserted as Married Pairs Wedges can be used as Inclined Planes to
prevent sliding movement Single wedges can be used for temporary
stabilization until flat pieces can be inserted
Visual 5.84
Cribbing Operations
Cribbing Operations Check list
S- Safety: Are we safeS- Size up: The situationS- Stabilize: All four cornersR- Remove: DebrisR- Raise: The loadR- Rescue: Pull victim clear
Keep hands and toes clearof the load.
Visual 5.86
Cribbing Example
Stabilize structures Entry & Egress Provide rescuer safety Access to victims