HomeMy WebLinkAbout204.004a - Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Response Criteria
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL
COMMUNICATIONS
204.004a URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM (USAR)
RESPONSE CRITERIA
EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007
Current Revision Date: 9/26/19 Next Revision Date: 9/26/22
Author’s Name/Rank: Robert Camp, Fire Battalion Chief Review Level: 1
Administrative Support:
Sherrie L. Badertscher,
Management Analyst II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to establish response criteria for the Urban Search
and Rescue Team (USAR).
APPLICATION
This procedure is to be used by Fresno County EMS Communications Center
personnel when dispatching incidents requiring US&R Team response. It is also
provided for Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) suppression personnel as
a guide for these response procedures.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
The following types of incidents/situations require the USAR team to be dispatched
along with any other necessary emergency equipment and personnel:
People threatening to jump from such a height as to cause bodily injury
Trench cave-ins
Confined space incidents involving tanks, sewers, bins, pipes, etc.
Heavy-object entrapment (excluding standard motor vehicle accident
[MVA] extrication)
Heavy machinery/equipment entrapment
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Structure collapse
Any incident where a person could fall or be trapped at a height greater
than 15 feet
Any car or person over an embankment (i.e., river bottom, freeway
overpass, etc.)
Situations where the rescue team’s expertise would be beneficial as a
resource
At the discretion of the incident commander
PROCESS
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INFORMATION
The Fresno County EMS Communications Center has predefined response plans for
incidents involving US&R Team response. They are defined as:
USAR 1: Engine 11, Truck 11, and Rescue 11
USAR 2: Engine 11, Truck 11, Rescue 11, Engine 1, Truck 1, and
HazMat 1
USAR 3: Engine 11, Truck 11, Rescue 11, and Rescue 211
The five (5) primary problem natures for rescue incidents and the associated
response plans are:
Rescue-Building Collapse: First due engine, truck, battalion chief, and
USAR 1
Rescue-Confined Space/Trench: First due engine, truck, battalion
chief, and USAR 2
Rescue-Entrapment: First due engine, truck, battalion chief, and
USAR 1
Rescue-High Angle: First due engine, truck, battalion chief, and USAR
1
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Rescue-Jumper: First due engine, truck, battalion chief, and USAR 3
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
No cross-references recognized.
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