Suggestions coming from the March 21, 2010 critique
regarding the March 20 mock search and the March 7 avalanche response.
Pincher Creek SAR routinely performs a critique after a Search and
Rescue incident in order to learn what should be done differently or
the same in the next similar incident. Critiques are not about
criticism but rather about learning. They are normally chaired by a
Search Manager that was not involved in the incident. The suggestions
that are brought forward through the critique process are presented in
this report.
# | Suggestion | Referred to |
---|
0001 | define level of response | unassigned |
0002 | clarify purpose of task | unassigned |
0003 | on-call person to have call-out list on person - program cell phone | unassigned |
0004 | + delegate to other
- Transfer of command, but didn't let people know.
| unassigned |
0005 | + immediate notification by RCMP, ramp up resources | unassigned |
0006 | orient new RCMP | preplan |
0007 | wait before rushing to maximize prep time
we're stood down often | unassigned |
0008 | be prepared for call out at any time | unassigned |
0009 | develop a preplan for incidents during training | unassigned |
0010 | + had comms between different training sites | unassigned |
0011 | stage people at the scene | unassigned |
0012 | + feed into the search manager info from Family, without taking time out from the search | unassigned |
0013 | precise communications - track description | training |
0014 | + field communication | preplan |
0015 | be clear on understanding - confirm | unassigned |
0016 | too much radio traffic - finish conversation / standby | training |
0017 | Team request of by radio for command post, told to stand by, and then forgotten. | unassigned |
0018 | turn radios off/down at CP
concern about family
feedback
noise | unassigned |
0019 | level of detail of patient status
| unassigned |
0020 | + had multiple forms of communication | unassigned |
0021 | being able to state urgency level of comm | training |
0022 | "Stand by" does not mean stop activity | training |
0023 | Reports to distinguish types of tracks, footprints vs. sleds | preplan |
0024 | getting the stretcher out of the SARCAR was difficult | unassigned |
0025 | Have equipment out and ready | preplan |
0026 | Tied up manager b/c was making sure the trailer was there | equipment |
0027 | include area overview in briefing | unassigned |
0028 | + teams deployed quickly
teams got out quickly when they were tasked. | unassigned |
0029 | avalanche: briefing "scattered" | preplan |
0030 | chain of command unclear, adhoc | preplan |
0031 | use white boards to adapt to different arrival times | unassigned |
0032 | listen to your TL | unassigned |
0033 | tracking - preserve intersection and funnel points | training |
0034 | accountability process (vehicles, houses, etc.) | preplan |
0035 | Keep sharpie in pack to mark tape | training |
0036 | bystanders asking questions | training |
0037 | type 1 search on narrow trail: walk 1 behind the other, 1 look forward, 1 left, 1 right | training |
0038 | reinterpretation of assignment. when does a clue become a change of assignment? Could you change assigned search type without confirmation from command. | unassigned |
0039 | decision making around patient transport | training |
0042 | never split team returning from field | unassigned |
0043 | don't leave until released | unassigned |
0044 | facilitate vehicle access to search site | preplan |
0045 | develop medical response plan at Command Post | preplan |
0046 | use people that know the area, even if family | unassigned |
0047 | assess outside EMS capabilities | unassigned |
0048 | check who was qualified | unassigned |
0049 | assign task through central pt | preplan |
0051 | balancing priorities with multiple subjects | unassigned |
0052 | + family liaison | unassigned |
0053 | Nobody should leave until everything is packed up to go. Don't leave until released. | unassigned |
0054 | more scenarios
on the mock
not more subjects
command post issue | training |
0055 | use the best equipment -> index criteria | unassigned |
0056 | get stuff ready sooner, incl. vehicle | preplan |
0057 | identify & communicate CP | unassigned |
0058 | identify & communicate who's in charge (Incident Commander) | preplan |
0059 | visible identification (vests?) - responders | preplan |
0060 | + accountability at hill | unassigned |
0061 | Had radio reception, but no phone reception. use mountain safety office.
Knowing in advance where good facilities are at CMR - e.g. command post. | unassigned |
Committee / Organization
The suggestions are being passed on to the indicated
organizations/committees for their consideration. We recognize that
not all suggestions may be appropriate, and some may already have been
implemented.
PCSAR Board
Mandate Relevant to Incidents:
- Overall ability of PCSAR to accomplish its mission.
- Organizational policies
- Relationships with Tasking Agencies and Fellow Responding Organizations.
- Financing, budget
suggestions identified: none
Tasking Agency
Mandate Relevant to Incidents:
- Overall legal responsibility for incident.
Suggestions for the Tasking Agency are passed through the Board.
Fellow Responding Organizations
Mandate Relevant to Incidents:
- Response to incident in accordance with their individual mandate and ability.
Suggestions for fellow responding organizations are passed through the Board.
PCSAR Preplan Committee
Mandate Relevant to Incidents:
- Expertise in search and rescue.
- Standard Operating Procedures for incidents.
- Post incident critique, review and follow-up.
suggestions identified: 6, 14, 23, 25, 29, 30, 34, 44, 45, 49, 56, 58, and 59
PCSAR Equipment Committee
Mandate Relevant to Incidents:
- Obtaining and keeping equipment ready.
suggestions identified: 26
PCSAR Call-Out Committee
Mandate Relevant to Incidents:
- Respond to First Call from Tasking Agency
- Contacting members during an incident.
suggestions identified: none
PCSAR Membership Committee
Mandate Relevant to Incidents:
- Recruiting members.
- Tracking members contact information, skills and equipment.
suggestions identified: none
PCSAR Training Committee
Mandate Relevant to Incidents:
suggestions identified: 13, 16, 21, 22, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, and 54
PCSAR Technology Committee
Mandate Relevant to Incidents:
suggestions identified: none
Suggestions by functional area
mandate
first notification / tasking
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0003:
Suggestion #3: on-call person to have call-out list on person - program cell phone
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: not rated
- Difficulty to implement: done
|
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0004:
Suggestion #4: + delegate to other
- Transfer of command, but didn't let people know.
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: medium
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
|
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0006:
Suggestion #6: orient new RCMP
- Committee handling: preplan (Cindy Mauthe Drake)
- Value to PCSAR mandate: high
- Difficulty to implement: easy
- 2010-04-20
- losing our liaison
- call out procedures
- plasticized business cards
- plan
- get more business card plasticized
- Ron: to get example
- None available
- Janet will try to get back one
- resource summary
- Brett: send to Forest (done)
- search urgency form
- Brett: send to Forest (done)
- arrange face-to-face
- There are 3 different watches: A, B, C. Each will need their own meeting.
- what resources we have
- equipment
- typical things we respond to
Merge from Critiques/2010-08-24/Sug14
- 2011-11-15 preplan
- this is an ongoing task
- Janet continuing to work on, get business cards
- 2012-09-18 preplan meeting
- have 3 RCMP members that are oriented
- plan to have sit down (Janet will do)
- invite to mock search (review: Brett Wuth)
- 2014-01-21 preplan mtg
- Ali will take leader
- detachments
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call-out
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0009:
Suggestion #9: develop a preplan for incidents during training
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: medium
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- need preplan for emergency response from a training activity or any SAR worker gathering
- not ready for equipment
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investigation
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0012:
Suggestion #12: + feed into the search manager info from Family, without taking time out from the search
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: not rated
- Difficulty to implement: done
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communications
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0014:
Suggestion #14: + field communication
- Committee handling: preplan
- Value to PCSAR mandate: none
- Difficulty to implement: done
focus on strengths of certain people as command post radio operator
- already doing, never comes up in real searches
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0015:
Suggestion #15: be clear on understanding - confirm
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: none
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- use of "no duff"
- focus on safety
- on mock confusing "track" as human vs. sled
- doesn't come up as issue
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0016:
Suggestion #16: too much radio traffic - finish conversation / standby
- Committee handling: training
- Value to PCSAR mandate: medium
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- training for radio operator,
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0017:
Suggestion #17: Team request of by radio for command post, told to stand by, and then forgotten.
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: none
- Difficulty to implement: easy
2012-09-18 preplan
- call back in after at a reasonable interval (common sense)
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0018:
Suggestion #18: turn radios off/down at CP
- concern about family
- feedback
- noise
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: medium
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0019:
Suggestion #19: level of detail of patient status
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: none
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- First priority was information. Not guarding communications.
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0023:
Suggestion #23: Reports to distinguish types of tracks, footprints vs. sleds
- Committee handling: preplan
- Value to PCSAR mandate: low
- Difficulty to implement: done
- repeat
- new trainees were the ones that were confusing
- should be straigtened out right away by radio operator or search manager
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resources
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0024:
Suggestion #24: getting the stretcher out of the SARCAR was difficult
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: not rated
- Difficulty to implement: done
- one that was easy to get out was
- high: inventory and try out our stretchers
- look at new rough terrain stretcher
- larger wheel is easier on subject
- consider sharing
- 2010-04-20 preplan mtg
- 2010-05-18 preplan mtg
- no good way to pack
- instead get out early. See Suggestion 25
- Fire Chief Cox say can have access to PCES rough terrain stretcher
- no action
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0026:
-
Suggestion #26: Tied up manager b/c was making sure the trailer was there
- Committee handling: equipment
- Value to PCSAR mandate: high
- Difficulty to implement: easy
- unavoidable
- get more core members with keys to town yard
- 2010-04-20 preplan mtg
- cut more keys (done)
- check if have: Eric Bruder (done), Bryan Sundberg
- give: Russ Lee, Dave Scott, Russ Bruder (done), John MacGarva
- courtesy call to Al Roth (done)
- reviewed at 2010-11-16 Preplan meeting.
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family liaison
(de)briefing
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0027:
-
Suggestion #27: include area overview in briefing
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: low
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- land owner give briefing to all teams of the lay of the land.
- clues missed, perhaps b/c not briefed by the family member
- how do we evaluate family as resource?
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0028:
Suggestion #28: + teams deployed quickly
- teams got out quickly when they were tasked.
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: not rated
- Difficulty to implement: done
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0029:
Suggestion #29: avalanche: briefing "scattered"
- Committee handling: preplan
- Value to PCSAR mandate: high
- Difficulty to implement: hard
- 2010-04-20 preplan mtg
- develop preplan for incidents at CMR
- consider mock at CMR
- involve Bree
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0030:
Suggestion #30: chain of command unclear, adhoc
- Committee handling: preplan
- Value to PCSAR mandate: high
- Difficulty to implement: hard
- A couple of people took on responsibility not in chain and recruited SAR members. Personality.
- 2010-04-20 preplan mtg
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0031:
Suggestion #31: use white boards to adapt to different arrival times
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: low
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- trailer not available
- white sheets in overhead box
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searching
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0033:
Suggestion #33: tracking - preserve intersection and funnel points
- Committee handling: training
- Value to PCSAR mandate: high
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- when tracking, when coming to intersection, gate, check natural traps, gates, etc. check for sign before going in.
- training objective
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0034:
Suggestion #34: accountability process (vehicles, houses, etc.)
- Committee handling: preplan
- Value to PCSAR mandate: high
- Difficulty to implement: hard
- + simple accountability (flagging)
- Check vehicles that aren't associated with staff.
- Flag vehicle you know. Staff, searchers.
- Clarification needed on process for vehicle accountability 3 different ways of doing it. Same for flagging houses.
- Use marked tape. "Search and Rescue"
- use of colours to distinguish different status
- how to handle flagging being taken off
- coordinate with other agencies
- High Value
- 2010-04-20 preplan mtg
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0036:
Suggestion #36: bystanders asking questions
- Committee handling: training
- Value to PCSAR mandate: low
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- need higher trained person as TL, would know to send to contact.
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0037:
Suggestion #37: type 1 search on narrow trail: walk 1 behind the other, 1 look forward, 1 left, 1 right
- Committee handling: training
- Value to PCSAR mandate: medium
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0038:
Suggestion #38: reinterpretation of assignment. when does a clue become a change of assignment? Could you change assigned search type without confirmation from command.
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: none
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
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extrication
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0039:
Suggestion #39: decision making around patient transport
- Committee handling: training
- Value to PCSAR mandate: high
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- judgement call
- training: more practice with these scenarios
- Incorporates
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access/return from segment
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0042:
Suggestion #42: never split team returning from field
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: none
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- training exercise artifact
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stand down
CISM
prevention, public education
travel
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0044:
Suggestion #44: facilitate vehicle access to search site
- Committee handling: preplan
- Value to PCSAR mandate: low
- Difficulty to implement: hard
- shutdown highway to get SAR teams into resort
- difficulty of dust
- tasking agency
only the RCMP can shut down road, we might request
- only one incident where has came up
- lots of other possible entries onto the road
- could assume road closed, when unexpected traffic
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planning
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0045:
Suggestion #45: develop medical response plan at Command Post
- Committee handling: preplan
- Value to PCSAR mandate: high
- Difficulty to implement: medium
- incorporates Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug50
- Put ambulance on stage, or standby
- 2010-04-20 preplan mtg
- develop checklist
- medium difficulty
- 2010-05-18 preplan mtg
- 2013-06-19 preplan mtg
- to do: Janet to find sample check list
- 2014-01-21 preplan meeting
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0046:
Suggestion #46: use people that know the area, even if family
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: none
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- search management team reluctant to use land owner because he was also family member. Very useful to use people that know area. Could have explained roads and trails. Transport.
- overhead team discuss how much to include family members
- be prepared to deal with consequences of including family
- hasn't occurred on any real searches
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logistics
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0047:
-
Suggestion #47: assess outside EMS capabilities
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: medium
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- are they able to travel into site
- discuss ahead of time with PCES
- Medium Value
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0048:
Suggestion #48: check who was qualified
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: low
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
- track which level of medical training available.
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0049:
Suggestion #49: assign task through central pt
- Committee handling: preplan
- Value to PCSAR mandate: low
- Difficulty to implement: done
- incident specific (don't expect to ever happen again)
- use CMR Safety Office
2013-01-15 preplan:
MOU with CMR should solve further issues
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operations
media
family
post ops
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0053:
Suggestion #53: Nobody should leave until everything is packed up to go. Don't leave until released.
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: not rated
- Difficulty to implement: done
leave it up to search managers to delegate jobs before releasing searchers
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learning
(e.g., how this critique was organized, mock search goals, exercise techniques)
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0054:
Suggestion #54: more scenarios
- on the mock
- not more subjects
- command post issue
- Committee handling: training
- Value to PCSAR mandate: not rated
- Difficulty to implement: not rated
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misc
Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0058:
Suggestion #58: identify & communicate who's in charge (Incident Commander)
- Committee handling: preplan
- Value to PCSAR mandate: high
- Difficulty to implement: medium
- get/use ICS vests.
- need labels on vests
- consider Velcro
- Ron consider Econo Cleaners.
- $15 each for badge completed
- High Value
- 2010-04-20 Preplan mtg
- use whiteboard
- repetition and practice
- handheld megaphone
- $250 for loud hailer
- propose to board
- difficulty: medium
- 2010-05-18 preplan mtg
- to do: Ron to look for resource that can make these for us
- See ICS/Colours
- preplan 2013-06-19
- White board is done and stored in new command post
- Color coded vests are in in command post
- Ron to get badges from crow signs
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0059:
Suggestion #59: visible identification (vests?) - responders
- Committee handling: preplan
- Value to PCSAR mandate: high
- Difficulty to implement: medium
- 2010-04-20 preplan mtg
- vests were in SARCAR, but SARCAR was not required
- 2010-05-18 preplan mtg
- some vests were in equipment trailer, which went out
- could issue to each member (or those that regularly respond)
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Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0061:
Suggestion #61: Had radio reception, but no phone reception. use mountain safety office.
- Knowing in advance where good facilities are at CMR - e.g. command post.
- Committee handling: unassigned
- Value to PCSAR mandate: not rated
- Difficulty to implement: done
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