Rowlett Citizens Corps Council CERT Level 1 Search And rescue (SAr) training Course Goals and Outline

Rowlett Citizens Corps Council

CERT Level 1 Search And rescue (SAr) training

Course Goals and Outline

Syllabus for Class 1 (June 14)

• Introduction to SAr– Skills and interest form – Training Goals– Urban Search and Rescue– Urban Search (non-disaster)– Wilderness SAr– Equipment

• Carry Pack (24 hour pack)• 72 Hour Pack

Goals of the Class

• In order to be effective in the field during our search operations we must train in the many skills and techniques required to operate a modern SAR team. The training has a number of objectives:– Transfer knowledge and skills to the members; – Practice our skills as a team; – Provide personal development to team members; – Identify operational weaknesses so they can be

corrected before actual operations start.

Goals

Goals (continued)• In short the entire training program's mandate is

to ensure that we deliver trained effective and capable searchers to the search site.

• The training structure presented here, from entry level to team leader involves three levels. The three levels are Call-Out Qualified, Searcher Qualified and Team Leader Qualified.

• For each of the three levels we will present the intended scope of training and certification. Details on each of the levels follow.

Goals (continued)

• Each of the skill levels requires the candidate successfully complete a written exam and practical demonstration of skills.

• It is important that a proficiency process be included in the training levels in order to ensure the individual candidates have absorbed the material presented, and to ensure that the training program itself is meeting the objectives of performance required by the team.

Discussion and Questions

Call-Out Qualified (CQ)

• The Call-Out Qualified (CQ) certification's objective is to provide the prospective CERT SAr member with sufficient knowledge to be able to respond effectively to a call-out, and to participate effectively in the other development and support activities of the team. It is proposed that prospective members of CERT complete this certification before being activated to participate in / lead other volunteers, in a coordinated search.

Training Levels

Searcher Qualified (SQ)

• Searcher Qualified (SQ) – The Searcher Qualified (SQ) certification will

provide the member with the knowledge and skills required to carry out tasks at a search site with a minimum of supervision.

– SQ members will also be able to be first responders in a SAr situation and begin assuming the role of an IC in these situations.

SAr Team Leader

• The Team Leader Qualification (TLQ) certification will provide the member with the knowledge and skills required to LEAD a team of searcher and/or volunteers in the execution of search assignments.

CQ Requirements

1. SCOPE – CQ Qualification attests to the member's knowledge

of general search and rescue responsibilities and organization, call-out procedures, personal responsibilities and personal equipment requirements.

– The CQ qualification is the basic level of training for CERT members.

– No individual will be CERT SAr unless they obtain this certification.

Training and Policies

CQ Criteria• At the completion of the basic SAr course the CQ

candidate must successfully complete a written exam consisting of 50 true/false or multiple choice questions with a minimum mark of 70%.

• A maximum of one hour is allowed to answer the test.– The candidate will have access to any training or

reading material they wish during the taking of the test. • The candidate must present a ready-pack with all

the equipment as defined by the CQ Equipment List.

CQ Prerequisites

• Be a current member in good standing in one or more of the Rowlett Citizens Corps Council’s programs.

• Express a desire and commitment to pursue and complete the SAr training.

CQ Knowledge Base

• Search and Rescue Organization – Identify the different agencies that are

responsible for SAR Operations in Rowlett and Dallas County.

CQ Knowledge Base (cont)

• Membership responsibilities – Understand and describe the organizational

structures of CERT Search And rescue. – Know and understand the reasons behind the

requirements for attendance and participation– Understand and discuss the physical fitness

requirements of a searcher.


• Requirement to respond to the call – Understand when calls are received – Understand and discuss the implications of

emergency response on families and employment.

– Understand the legal framework under which searchers operate


• Training – Can name the three operational training levels

and the skills associated with each level and the pre-requisites.


• Search Operation Organization – Knows who can and when can a search

operation be initiated. – Can describe the team mobilization process in

its logical sequence. – Understands and can discuss the interagency

operability– Describes the personnel dispatched directly to

the operations site with the ICP.

On-Site Organization

• ICS Structure – Can describe the purpose and general outline

of ICS. – Can identify the command functions of ICS and

can discuss their responsibilities.

Response and Responsibility

• Knows and can discuss the immediate responsibilities of the searcher arriving at the Operations Site.

• Knows how and why to sign-in.

• Knows and can discuss the "Right to refuse".

Family and Friends Relations • Understands the importance of tact around

YOUR family and friends when discussing operations and details of a current or past operation

• Understands the importance of tact around the “victim’s” family and friends when discussing operations and details of a current or past operation.

• Understands and is comfortable with the concept of “Need To Know”

Media Relations

• Knows to direct all questions to the IC or Search Coordinator (usually law enforcement)

• Knows and understands that all communications with the media have to be authorised by the Search Coordinator, whether at the search site or later.

Mental and Psychological

• Understands that SAr involves stressful situations.

• Understands and knows that the search may require participation at a defusing or debriefing.

• Knows when to ask for help in dealing with stressful situations and that CERT has access to resources to assist in dealing with critical incident stress.

Demobilization

• Knows and understands why there is the need to sign-out when leaving the search site.

• Is aware of the dangers of leaving a search site and driving while fatigued and/or hungry.

• Understands that personal gear has to be maintained as soon as you arrive home to be ready for the next operation.

• Understand the need for, and requirement to, participate in the incident debriefs.


Urban Search and Rescue

• The “Standard” CERT mission– Urban search-and-rescue (US&R) involves the

location, rescue (extrication), and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces.

– Structural collapse is most often the cause of victims being trapped, but victims may also be

– trapped in transportation accidents, fallen debris and collapsed trenches.

Search Types and Missions

US&R (continued)

• US&R is a multi-discipline, multi-hazard operation– Considered a "multi-hazard" discipline, as it may be

needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters– These may include earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons,

storms and tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist activities, and hazardous materials releases.

– Events may be slow in developing, as with hurricanes, or sudden, as in the case of earthquakes.

US&R (continued)

• Important reminders– CERT teams are expected to be totally self-

sufficient for the first 72 hours of a deployment – CERT teams are expected to be able to:

• Conduct physical search-and-rescue in buildings • Emergency medical care to victims • Assessment and / or control of gas, electric service

and hazardous materials • Evaluation of damaged structures

Wilderness & Urban Search

• Searches can be initiated for multiple reasons– Lost Persons– Injured / Disabled Persons– Abductions / Crimes– Dementia / Alzheimers– Runaways

Common Search Procedures• Regardless of the reason a person has gone

missing, some tactics and methods are common for all types– Interviewing– Determining Probabilities of detection / find (POD &

POF)– Immediate are searches– Briefings– Command Post Operations– Safety– Confinement / Containment (of site and persons)– Family support and comfort

Interviewing• Interviewing the subject’s relatives and friends provides

the most information about the subject.• To properly interview a person requires detective skills,

compassion and empathy traits, and a method of recording clues.

• Interviewing does not stop until the subject is found. • Often, very subtle comments become the key to a case.

– Relatives often underestimate the subject's health and abilities. – Contact non-relatives (doctors, co-workers, etc.) for estimations

on personality and abilities.

Law Enforcement conducts the initial interview – no exceptions

Search Probabilities• Great advances in search theory have been made in recent years by using

statistics based on other lost persons to guess where the subject may have gone.

• The POD (Probability of Detection) states the chances of a searcher finding a clue

• POA (Probability of Area) states the chances that the subject is in that area. POD multiplied by POA gives POS (Probability of Success).

• The POD can be found by searcher estimates, prior searches, and written tables

• The POA can be found by drawing a circle about the point last seen sized to the time he has been lost, eliminating inaccessible areas, and guessing by group consensus the chances they are in a certain area. Knowledge of the terrain and weather, subject’s personality and limitations, previous behavior, and clues assist in the prediction.

• Advanced computer programs are available to calculate these probabilities.

Dead Reckoning, Gut Instinct, and Experience are valuable tools that software cannot replace.

Immediate Area Search• The very young, very old, and suicide subjects are often

found within or near the home. – If a subject is lost near his home, check the immediate area

thoroughly. – Check every hiding spot inside every building in the area with a

family member and/or a law officer accompanying. – Immediately organize a widely spaced line-search/ground-sweep

team to search for clues within 100 yards of all buildings. – All neighbors should be questioned and informed of the missing

subject. Do NOT trample evidence or fail to mark clues to accomplish

these tasks. While this is happening other teams should be securing the last known location of the person. These steps are at the direction of / or in conjunction with Law Enforcement

Command Post Operations• The Command Post is the heart and mind of SAr

operations– Only designated support personnel will work at the Command

Post– The Search Manager, Assistant Manager, Support Leader, and

Communication Coordinator will be at the Command Post with their supporting staff.

– The command post has will be the focus for communications, food and water, equipment, operation information, and will issue ALL search missions.

The CP will be positioned a distance away from the last known location of the victim. This is to prevent trampling evidence and prevent drawing additional attention / spectators to the investigation scene.

Safety• Safety is Rule #1 • Searcher well-being greatly affects search quality. • First aid resources, shelter, food, and water become

necessary in a large search.• Looking for and preventing exhaustion and dehydration in

fellow searchers is everyone’s responsibility. • Rotating personnel and limiting expenditure of energy is

necessary to reduce injuries, increase search effectiveness, and maintain a steady workforce.

• Control of the media and on-lookers and protecting site access becomes important in large searches. All site problems should be relayed to the Command Post.

• Any searcher may be pulled from the field by any leader if safety problems develop.

Confinement• The purpose of confinement is to keep a person within a

specific area. – Trail and road blocks can monitor all traffic, report any sightings,

and should be continually manned. – Look-outs are at prominent points which provide a good view of

likely travel areas, provide signaling to the subject. – Track traps are cleanly raked dirt areas that may the subject may

walk over and leave tracks. – String lines with tags confine and direct a subject to the Command

Post. – Messages on survey tape and posters may also direct the subject

to the searchers.

Dealing with Relatives/Friends

• During a search, a lost subject’s relatives and friends are under stress, will worry about the subject, and can be influenced easily

• Care must be taken not to cause more injury– Do not talk of unsuccessful past searches, what

problems the person may be encountering, or of other negative subjects

– Do not ignore them yet do not allow them to disrupt operations.

– Do support the people via care and concern for them, the situation, and the lost subject.

Dealing with Relatives/Friends

• For Those who are assigned to the role– Provide constant feedback, and speak of hope and the

strength of the subject. – Make them as comfortable, mentally and physically, as

possible. – They should NOT be in the field, nor at the Command

Post. – A counselor or caring person will be assigned to act as

a liaison or callout the Family Support Team and communicate only through the leader.

Roles and Jobs• Search Manager (IC)• Communications Team• Mapping / Information Team• Record and Document Team• Trackers • Searchers• Family liaison and counseling teamAssignments and duties of these specific roles will

be discussed in future classes.


Personal Equipment

• Importance of equipment– Team Members should understand the

importance of proper equipment for personal safety and to be effective during a search operation.

Equipment

Personal Equipment

• Minimum equipment– Know the list of REQUIRED equipment for

operation in a SAr incident – Know the SUGGESTED list of equipment for a

searcher. – Understand that access to search operations

can be revoked if not properly equipped.

CQ MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST

• Identification and Safety– CERT Identification and Accountability cards– CERT safety vest – CERT brain pan– Safety Glasses


• Proper Clothing – Long pants, heavy duty (jeans, BDU, hiking,

etc.). Zip off legs are nice if you are the ICP– Long sleeve shirt or blouse appropriate for

weather– Wide brimmed (preferred) or baseball hat– Footwear, closed toe, high ankle, non-slip sole

(that’s GI speak for boots)


• Food– Portable, non-melting, high energy.

• Various energy / granola bars • GORP or other trail mix• Enough to sustain for 24 hours


• Water– 2 Quarts minimum– 4 Quarts if advised or for longer durations– Proper carrying / storage devices

• Commercial water bottles• Canteens• Hydration systems (platypus)


• On person equipment– Pencil and Notebook – Matches or lighter– Whistle – Rainsuit – Flashlight and / or headlamp– Extra socks – Knife – Insect Repellent – Sun Screen


• Additional required equipment– Light stick (2)– Compass – Maps– Length of rope or para-cord (50 feet)– Backpack or webbing– Tracking / walking stick– Extra large rubber bands (minimum 4)– Appropriate forms

CQ MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST• Personal First Aid Kit

– 4 acetaminophen or aspirin – 6 band aids of various sizes– 1 sheet moleskin adhesive – 1 Elasticized bandage (Ace Bandage) – 2 triangular bandages– 8 4x4 gauze pads– 1 bandage – 1 field dressing or equivalent – 4 large safety pins – 1 roll 1" adhesive tape– 2 antiseptic cleaning pads – 3-day supply of any personal medication required by searcher.


• Recommended additional equipment– CERT or FRS radio– Sun glasses– GPS (nice but don’t need to run out and buy

one)

CQ EQUIPMENT LIST

• Additional Equipment Recommended for Base Camp but not required (Regional Ops)– Sleeping bag– Ground sheet/poncho/tent – Complete change of cloths (head to toe)– Sweater – Coat – Change of boots– Non-perishable foods (e.g., boil bags)

Documents

Rowlett Citizens Corps Council CERT Level 1 Search And rescue (SAr) training Course Goals and Outline