Title: Technical Rescue Specialist
Author: Addison Fire Department
Last saved by: DC

M.A.B.A.S Division XII
Policies and Procedures

Date Approved: | 05/29/97 | Part: | Technical Rescue
Date Revised: | 03/28/02 | Number: | 7.1
Replaces: | 05/29/97 | Page: | of
Source(s):  MABAS Division XII

Subject:	Structural Collapse Rescue

Purpose:	To provide guidelines relating to the initial size-up, entry and rescue operations when confronted with a structural collapse. 

Scope:	These guidelines are designed to provide guidance for the M.A.B.A.S. Division #12 technical rescue team and other fire service personnel during all phases of collapse rescue operations.

1.	Classifications

For purposes of this standard and to correspond with current Office of the State Fire Marshal certification training and those established by the National Fire Protection Association #1670, the following operational levels are hereby established:

OSFM Technical Rescue Awareness	
OSFM Structural Collapse Operations
OSFM Structural Collapse Technician

Furthermore, the following identifies minimum requirements and objectives for each above indicated level:

2.	Structural Collapse Operations

This level shall complete the following tasks and objectives:

2.1	Size-up of existing conditions and identify minimum resources required to 	conduct a safe and effective search and rescue operation.
2.2	mplement the Incident Management System (IMS) for structural collapse.
2.3	Implement site control and scene management techniques.
2.4	Identify construction types and characteristics and anticipated behavior.
2.5	Recognize the potential for a secondary collapse and general hazards 		within the collapse zone.
2.6	Implement a search marking system and a structural hazard marking 	system.
2.7	Recognize the unique hazards associated with the collapse or failure of a 	light frame ordinary construction.
2.8	Trained in the procedures for performing search operations inside and 	beneath debris of a light frame/ordinary construction collapse.

2.9	Trained in the procedures for performing access operations intended to 	reach victims trapped within an light frame ordinary construction collapse. 	Inclusive of the following:  lifting structural elements safely and effectively, 	shoring structural components safely and effectively, breaching structural 	components safely and effectively and operating all required tools safely 	and effectively.

4.	Structural Collapse Technician

This level shall complete the following tasks and objectives:

4.1		Size-up of existing conditions and identify minimum resources required to 	conduct a safe and effective search and rescue operation.
4.2		Implement the Incident Management System (IMS) for structural collapse.
4.3		Implement site control and scene management techniques.
4.4		Identify construction types and characteristics and anticipated behavior.
4.5		Recognize the potential for a secondary collapse and general hazards 	within the collapse zone.
4.6		Implement a search marking system and a structural hazard marking 	system.
4.7		Recognize the unique hazards associated with the collapse or failure of 	structural steel or reinforced concrete construction.
4.8		Trained in the procedures for performing search operations inside and 	beneath debris of a structural steel or reinforced concrete construction 	collapse.
4.9		Trained in the procedures for performing access operations intended to 	reach victims trapped within an structural steel or reinforced concrete  	construction collapse. Inclusive of the following:  lifting structural elements 	safely and effectively, shoring structural components safely and 	effectively, breaching structural components safely and effectively and 	operating all required tools safely and effectively.

5.	Standard Operating Guidelines	
		
5.1	The stricken agency shall assume command and control of any 		      incident involving confined space entry, rescue or recovery within the 
     	Department’s boundaries.

5.2	Any incident in which a person is trapped, injured, experiencing a 	  	     medical emergency, or is deceased in a trench or excavation shall 	   	     require the response of the Department’s Technical Rescue team or the 
closest properly trained Team.

5.3	Only personnel who are trained, authorized, and possess the
     	specialized rescue equipment needed to perform the rescue, shall
     	be assigned to Entry or Technical Rescue Branch/Sector.

5.4	Entry into a collapse zone requires the proper and adequate size-up and the installation of a protective shoring / stabilizing system commensurate with the anticipated load and structural system.

5.5	The collapse zone will have conditions inherent to that of trench rescue, confined space rescue and vertical rescue scenarios.  Entry personnel shall be well versed in the requirements set forth by each specific rescue discipline.  Once the specific rescue parameters are defined, the SOG for each specific discipline shall be utilized.

5.6	Air quality monitoring shall be initiated from the onset of the rescue to
determine air quality conditions.  If the readings are not acceptable, appropriate action should be taken prior to entry into the collapse zone.

5.7	Search and rescue operations within a structural collapse must 
     	implement the Search Marking system to identify that all areas have
      	been accessed.  This system utilizes an “X” measuring 2 ft x 2 ft,
     	painted with orange paint spray paint.  The quadrants of said “X” shall
      	be filled with pertinent information relating to the number of victims
      	found and any special hazards as depicted within the attachment to
      	this Standard. 

5.8	Search and rescue operations within a structural collapse must
     	implement the Structural Hazard Marking System to identify the
     	structural integrity of the structure.  This system utilizes a square
     	measuring 2 ft x 2 ft, painted with orange spray paint.  The square
     	shall be filled with a series of diagonal lines indicating the present
     	structural conditions and requirements as depicted within the
     	attachment to this Standard.  

5.9	A Structural Collapse rescue or recovery requires the establishment 
  	of the following eight (8) Sectors:

		5.9.1. Technical Rescue Branch/ Sector (Team Leader) (1)
		    	Responsible for coordination of the actual rescue operation and
 		    	the sectors associated with all activity in the “rescue area.”
Reports directly to Fire Operations Branch/Sector.  In the absence of an Operations Sectors he / she reports directly to Incident Command (IC).

		5.9.2. Site Control (3 ff)
Responsible for establishing control zones, fire suppression,               logistics of incoming resources, placement of resource apparatus and lighting systems.  Reports directly to Technical Rescue Branch/ Sector.

		5.9.3. 	Search Sector (Team Leader) (1)
	   	Responsible for the establishment and coordination of all search
               	operations within the collapse zone.  Shall assign and monitor  
              	search team progress and advise of the location of rescues,
              	number of victims, status of victims (ie 1 live, 2 dead), the
               	type of rescue scenario and possible required equipment. 
               	Reports directly to Technical Rescue Branch/ Sector.

5.9.4. 	Rescue Sector (Team Leader) (1)
	   	Responsible for the establishment and coordination of all rescue
              	operations within the collapse zone.  Shall assign and monitor
              	search team progress and advise of the location of rescues,
              	number of victims, status of victims (ie 1 live, 2 by-pass), the type
  	of rescue scenario and possible required equipment. Reports directly to the Technical Rescue Branch/ Sector.              

		5.9.5. 	Medical Sector (Team Leader) (1)
		    	Responsible for the establishment and coordination of all medical 
                          	operations within the collapse zone.  Shall assign and monitor
                          	medical team progress and advise of the medical requirements
                          once the victim has been removed.  Reports directly to Technical rescue Sector Officer.

5.9.6. Technical Support Sector (Team Leader) (1)
Responsible for the establishment and coordination of all    technical related aspects of the overall rescue operations.  Technical Supports shall coordinate, heavy rigging, machinery, hazardous materials, structural engineering and other related support disciplines.  Reports directly to Technical Rescue.

		5.9.7. 	Entry Sector (1)(If required))
Responsible for the establishment and control of the entry point to the collapse zone.  Reports directly to the Technical Rescue Branch/ Sector.              

		5.9.8. Technical Rescue Safety (1)
		   	Responsible for observing and checking all technical aspects of
 		    	the rescue.  Works directly with the Fire Department’s Safety
Officer.  Reports to IC, Safety and the Technical Rescue Branch/ Sector. 

Initially limited technical rescue personnel may perform multiple tactical/task assignments.  The use of fire suppression personnel is an integral part of a successful rescue.  As the incident escalates in size or complexity, the command organization should also increase in size.