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This weeks’ CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) session, taught by Team Leader Russ Rainey introduced us to Light Search and Rescue Operations. This consists of a systematic size up of the task and developing a safe, well-orchestrated rescue plan to achieve the most possible in the shortest amount of time.

A single incident, such as a car accident, may involve only one or two victims in a known location where the scene can be controlled easily and all responding emergency workers can concentrate on the job at hand.

Now, picture the immediate aftermath of a sudden tornado, or a Class II or III hurricane has just cleared our area. Experience from previous disasters has shown that immediately after almost every disaster, the first response to trapped victims is by spontaneous, untrained, and well-intentioned persons who rush to the site of a collapse in an attempt to free victims. More often than not, these spontaneous rescue efforts result in serious injuries and compounded problems.

However well meaning, rescue efforts should be planned and practiced in advance. The decision to attempt a rescue should be based on two factors: the risk to the rescuer, and the overall goal of doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. The goals of search and rescue operations are to rescue the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time, and to rescue lightly trapped victims first. The most important person in a rescue attempt is the rescuer. Effective operations hinge on an effective size up of the scene, rescuer safety and lastly the safety of the victim.

During this hands-on training exercise, we will be taught to properly identify size up requirements for potential search and rescue situations. Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure. Using safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication, and then describe ways to protect rescuers during search and rescue operations.

Our nine steps to follow are to gather facts (1) assess and communicate damage (2), consider probabilities (3), assess your own situation (4), establish priorities (5), make decisions (6) and develop an action plan (7), take action (8) and finally evaluate the progress (9).

During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, in New Orleans, we are all reminded of the images of severe damage to property and the unfortunate loss of life. Probably the one image that most sticks out in our minds are all of the structures with the large X marking with information in all four quadrants. We were trained on how to properly mark a structure, once the search and rescue was completed, and then to move on to the next location.

Next week’s topic: Communications.