Technical Rescue Past, Present and Future

1. Technical RescuePast, Present and Future Presented By: Deputy Chief Brian Rousseau NY State Office of Fire Prevention & Control

2. A look at Technical Rescue operations – where we have come from and where we are going. From the smallest local capability to state and FEMA teams, the changes in organization, techniques, tactics and funding has changed the face of technical rescue in the United States and around the world. Whether your organization is involved in rescue or not, this program will give you a better understanding of what resources are available to you and what you need to know about federal and NFPA standards regarding rescue capabilities.

3. Past

4. History • Some aspects of the technical rescue field have been in existence as an organized effort for hundreds if not thousands of years. • In 46 BC, Roman law established regulations requiring assistance to shipwrecked seamen. • In 1708, the earliest Chinese life-saving services are documented with the formation of the Chinkiang Society for the Saving of Life. Detailed rules were established for rescues, including a scale of funds to be awarded for types of rescues performed and there was even punishment set forth for poor performance and/or malfeasance. • There are numerous cases of specialized rescue services being formed in North America and Europe in the 18th, 19th and early 20th century but these were typically a result of a specific need.

5. History • Examples of this from over the last 200 years include: • The Massachusetts Humane Society in 1807 built the first surf boats and huts of refuge to be used by volunteer crews when performing rescues. • In the 1930’s, mountain climbing clubs in the British Isles joined together to design a rescue stretcher and first aid equipment list, with the first civilian teams formed in 1947.

6. History • Modern Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) techniques are documented in the United States and United Kingdom in the 1930’s, with significant knowledge gained in the UK during the Blitz of World War II. • Much of the training material produced during this time was later used to develop “high and heavy rescue” training in the United States during the cold war era of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

7. History • Modern technical rescue has not truly been a widespread, organized effort until the last half of the 20th century. Attempts were made by Congress in 1950 to create a national response capability with the passage of the Federal Civil Defense Act. • Organizations and regions have had specialty teams to meet specific needs for many years, but few of these efforts have been organized and managed on a large scale. • These organizations are sometimes part of emergency management, fire service, police, EMS or industrial organizations but many are separate, not-for-profit groups formed for the sole purpose of providing these specialized rescue services. • This is most common in the wilderness and cave environments.

8. History • More recently, the United States Congress adopted the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act establishing a national USAR system. • Congress also passed legislation allowing for the formation of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), allowing the establishment of a formal state-to-state mutual assistance system on a national level. • Various state and local mutual aid pacts have also provided for a more efficient and coordinated response to these specialty incidents.

9. FEMA US&R System

10. In the early 1980s, the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue and Metro-Dade County Fire Department created elite search and rescue teams trained for rescue operations in collapsed buildings. • Working with the United States State Department and Office of Foreign Disaster Aid, (USAID) these teams provided vital search and rescue support for the earthquakes in Mexico City, the Philippines and Armenia. • In 1991, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) incorporated this concept into the Federal Response Plan, sponsoring 25 National Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces (US&R). • Today there are 28 national task forces staffed and equipped to conduct round-the-clock search and rescue operations following earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, aircraft accidents, hazardous materials spills and catastrophic structure collapses.

11. State/Local US&R

12. In the 1990’s, a few states expanded on the FEMA model by providing state level USAR task forces: • California • New York • New Jersey • The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center saw the New York and New Jersey state USAR teams providing significant resources in rescue operations prior to and after the arrival of FEMA teams

13. After WTC and the infusion of Homeland Security funds, a number of other states developed state level USAR capabilities. • These included task forces, squads as well as other combinations.

14. Present

15. FEMA US&R System

16. FEMA TASK FORCE LOCATIONS

17. FEMA USAR Task Forces • Today there are 28 national task forces staffed and equipped to conduct round-the-clock search-and-rescue operations following earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, aircraft accidents, hazardous materials spills and catastrophic structure collapses. • These task forces, complete with necessary tools and equipment, and required skills and techniques, can be deployed by FEMA for the rescue of victims of structural collapse.

18. FEMA IST • The National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Incident Support Team (IST) provides a group of highly qualified specialists readily available for rapid assembly and deployment to a disaster area. The IST furnishes Federal, State, and local officials with technical assistance in acquiring and using US&R resources. • It provides advice, incident command assistance, management and coordination of US&R task forces, and US&R logistics support.

19. For More Information More information on the FEMA USAR System may be found at: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/usr/index.shtm

20. State/Local US&R

21. State USAR Task Forces • Today there a number of state task forces staffed and equipped to conduct round-the-clock search-and-rescue operations following earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, aircraft accidents, hazardous materials spills and catastrophic structure collapses. • These task forces, are designed to be fast reacting and will respond to more localized incidents that don’t meet the FEMA response criteria.

22. State IST • Some states have formed IST’s to perform the same functions as the FEMA IST would in the federal system. • The state IST’s would be used where federal USAR resources are not used and would work in conjunction with the FEMA IST where federal, state, and/or local USAR assets are utilized.

23. Other Assets • Many states have local assets that can operate as individual squads at small, local incidents. • In some cases, these squads can be grouped together to form a USAR Task Force.

24. For More Information • State and local USAR teams and task forces from 35 states & Puerto Rico have joined together to share training and informational resources. • State Urban Search and Rescue (SUSAR) Alliance meets on an annual basis as well as having ongoing working groups in areas such as training, administration, K9, etc. • More information on SUSAR can be obtained at www.susar.org

25. Standards

26. FEMA USAR Standard • FEMA USAR Team Readiness Evaluation • Composed of 3 parts • Self Evaluation – Annual • ORE (On-Site Readiness Evaluation) – Bi-Annual • Mobilization Exercise - Annual

27. National USAR K9 Standards • FEMA K9 Readiness Evaluation • Basic certification (Type 2) requires the search animal to perform to specific standards under the handler's direct supervision and guidance. • Advanced certification (Type 1) requires the search animal to perform to those standards outside the direct supervision and guidance of the handler, and to successfully search more difficult rescue simulation courses. • SUSAR K9 Readiness Evaluation • Same As FEMA

28. International Rescue Standards • NFPA 1006 – Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications • NFPA 1670 – Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents • United Nations INSARAG Regulations • Used to regulate teams operating internationally under UN auspices.

29. NFPA 1006“Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications” Includes: Rope, Confined Space, Trench, Structural Collapse, Vehicle & Machinery, Surface Water, Swift Water, Dive, Ice, Surf, Wilderness, Mine & Tunnel and Cave Rescue.

30. NFPA 1006 - Purpose “…specify the minimum job performance requirements for service as a rescuer in an emergency response organization.” In other words The purpose of this standard is to specify minimum job performance requirements for service as a individual rescuer in an emergency response agency.

31. NFPA 1006 This standard requires both knowledge and skills be demonstrated in various subject areas to become certified as a Technical Rescuer in a given specialty. The 2008 version has now provided for certification as a Level I or II Technical Rescuer in a number of different specialties

32. NFPA 1006 Based on Core + Concept Core requirements include: Site Operations Victim Management Ropes & Rigging + Level I or II knowledge and skills in a number of different specialties

33. NFPA 1006 Structural Collapse Level I JPRs (Job Performance Requirements) Center on Light Frame Construction and Include: • Sizeup • Victim Locating • IAP Development & Implementation • Support Operations • Search • Light Frame Stabilization and Cribbing • Victim Disentanglement • Victim Removal • Lifting and Moving Heavy Loads • Breaching Light Frame Components

34. NFPA 1006 Structural Collapse Level II JPRs (Job Performance Requirements) Center on Heavy Construction and Include: • Sizeup • Victim Locating • IAP Development & Implementation • Support Operations • Search • Heavy Construction Stabilization and Cribbing • Victim Disentanglement • Victim Removal • Lifting and Moving Heavy Loads • Breaching Heavy Construction Components • Structural Steel Cutting • Coordinating Use of Heavy Equipment

35. NFPA 1670“Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents” Includes: Structural Collapse, Rope, Confined Space, Vehicle, Machinery, Water, Wilderness, Trench, Cave, Mine/Tunnel and Helicopter The final 3 are new additions in the 2009 edition.

36. NFPA 1670 – Purpose “..assist the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) in: • assessing a technical search and rescue hazard within the response area, • to identify the level of operational capability, • and to establish operational criteria.”

37. NFPA 1670 – Scope “…Identify & establish Levels of functional capability for conducting operations at technical search & rescue incidents while minimizing threats to rescuers.” In other words NFPA 1670 Applies to Organizations That Provide Response to Technical Rescue Incidents

38. NFPA 1670 Based on Core + Concept Core requirements include: Documentation, SOPs, Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment, Incident Response Planning, Equipment, Safety, IMS and NBC Response + 3 Levels of Capability in a Given Specialty Awareness Level Operations Level Technician Level

39. NFPA 1670 Structural CollapseAwareness Level: Size-up, Site Control, Scene Management, Hazard Identification, Basic Search and Removal of Readily Accessible Victims. Also Includes Awareness Level Confined Space.

40. NFPA 1670 Structural Collapse Operations Level: Rescue from Light Frame, Ordinary, Unreinforced and Reinforced Masonry Construction. Also Includes: Awareness Level Water Operations Level Rope Operations Level Confined Space Operations Level Vehicle Operations Level Machinery Operations Level Trench

41. NFPA 1670 Structural Collapse Technician Level: Rescue from Concrete Tilt-Up, Reinforced Concrete and Steel Construction. Also Includes: Technician Level Rope Technician Level Confined Space Technician Level Vehicle Technician Level Trench

42. Questions ? • Why are there 3 levels of capability in NFPA 1670 and only 2 in 1006? • Why do the levels go by different names? • Can an organization “Certify” to NFPA 1670? • Do you have any questions?

43. Other Standards • Other standards may impact many teams. Examples include: • OSHA • Confined Space • Respiratory Protection • HAZWOPER • Bloodborne Pathogens • Head, Eye & Hand Protection • ASTM International • F 1847, 1848 & 1879 – K9 • F 1879 – Land Search • F 1739 – Water Rescue • F 1993 – Classification of Human S&R Resources

44. Other Standards • International Organization for Standardization (ISO) • TC 94/SC14/WG5 – Firefighter Personal Equipment/Non-Fire Rescue Incidents • American National Standards Institute (ANSI) • ANSI itself does not develop standards, it instead helps facilitate the development of these standards and lists them for purchase and use. • Additionally, it promotes the use of US standards internationally. • Each standard developed by another organization that is accredited by ANSI is then assigned an ANSI standard number. • Their listing includes a number of standards developed by NFPA as well as many international organizations.

45. Future

46. OSHA • On September 11, 2007, OSHA submitted a request for information in the Federal Register (Docket # H-010) to consider further addressing emergency response and preparedness. • In addition to a number of other subjects, rescue was specifically mentioned as an item of concern and identified NFPA 1006 as a standard example that may be used.

47. NIMS(National Incident Management System) • Resource Typing • Credentialing

48. Resource Typing Under the current working version, 13 resource types have been identified: • Canine Search and Rescue Team – Disaster/Structure Collapse Live • Canine Search and Rescue Team – Disaster/Structure Collapse Human Remains • Canine Search and Rescue Team – Land Human Remains • Canine Search and Rescue Team – Water Human Remains • Canine Search and Rescue Team – Land Live • Urban Search and Rescue Task Force • Mine Search and Rescue Team, Abandoned Mine • Cave Search and Rescue Team • Mountain & Technical Search and Rescue Team; Technical Rescue Team • Land Search and Rescue Team • Structure Collapse Rescue Squad • Structure Collapse Search Squad • Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Team

49. USAR Task Force Typing

50. TYPE 1 Task Force