SAR Fundamentals/Incident anatomy/Part 1

00:00

3 min

Introduce topic title

Introduce Instructor

Material Covered:

Chapter 20: Anatomy of an Incident p.279

Present Objectives

00:03

• Play video
• Is that wat you think a search would be like?
• Actors are real SAR people doing their normal roles.
• Math
• What do you think happened?

What were the 4 phases of a search?

(discussed in introductory section)

• L - Locate
• A - Access
• S - Stabalize
• T - Transport

or

• S - Search
• A - Access
• M - Medical
• E - Evacuate

discuss how those phases were (or weren't) seen in the video

Being ready for a search

Before the searchers can arrive what needs to happen?

lead group in discussion that draws out these components of search:

Strategy - determine what needs to be done

preceeded by

Notification - group being alerted to situation

preceeded by

Preplan - planning for a possible incident, preparing people and equipment

What happens after the search?

lead group in discussion that draws out these components of search:

Suspension - decision to end the search, demobilization

So what if you found you didn't have the right equipment? Weren't prepared?

Fix it (feed back loop)

How would you know all the things needing fixing?

Critique - gathering lessons learned

The SAR event cycle

• SAR Fund Slide - Basic SAR 6

draw or show the complete cycle, discuss

2 min

Preplan (Planning/Preparation)

• Most of the work of a SAR organization

• Identifying needs

• Training (like this course), practicing

• Fund raising for equipment

Notification

• Initial contact is very important, the impression you leave with the reporting person.
• The attitude of the report taker
• Name and call back number/location of the reporting party.
• Don't let the reporting party leave.

Notification of the group

• PCSAR DOC-80 Incident Notification Process
• trace message from public to PCSAR manager
• Tasking agency notified first
• Use of 24 hour professional answering service: STARS
• Redundant communications lines
• Informal communications: ~50% of calls - small town

Notification of individual searchers

• PCSAR DOC-67 Emergency Call Out Procedure
• use of call-out personnel
  • personal phone call in the middle of the night
  • adopting automated telephone system
• list of basic information searchers should get

Rare occassions not tasked

• give 1 example

Strategy

• • PCSAR DOC-1 Search Urgency

• Priority of the mission
• Investigation procedures
• Plan Tactics/Operations
  • Tactics

Tactics / Operations

• SAR Fund slide: Basic SAR 580

Inner cycle:

• Check in (Sign-In)

• Briefing

• Assignment

• Debriefing

• Check out (Sign-Out)

• PCSAR DOC-62 Registration/Sign-In

Check-in

• May be verbal, although PC SAR requires physical sign in.
• When and where you check in, is when you find out where to go i.e., debriefing etc.
• Get your check in details during the call out. (don't be afraid to ask)

Briefing

Why do we need a briefing?

1. Controlled by the mgmt., team.

• The plans chief or assistant or the Manager may give you your briefing.
• Done before shift
• Should get all maps and info.
  • Again don't be afraid to ask questions.

• PCSAR DOC-86 Briefing Handout

• PCSAR DOC-61 Task Assignment and Debriefing

Components of a briefing: SMEAC

• Situation
• Mission
• Execution
• Administration
• Communications

Pincher SAR radio "5-codes"

2. info you should receive, if not ask.

• Status, objectives, strategies, predictions
• Subject info, complete physical description, clothing, etc.,
• physical & mental cond., behavior traits, circumstances.
• Clue considerations, shoe, items carried, and how to handle them if found.
• Trip plans
• Terrain
• Weather (should have found this out during call-out).
• Equipment needed by you, other than SAR Pack.
• Comm., details
• Drop dead time. (return to base)
• Transport, how are you getting to your search area?
• External influences.
• Tactical details- search techniques.
• Mgmt., overview
• Safety inst.
• Team injuries & how to handle them.

Assignment

Each individual and each team has certain responsibilities. All of these need to be decided before you go into the field.

• team leader
• radio
• navigation
• note taker/time keeper
• first aid
• etc.

one person can have more than one responsibility

Debriefing

back side of DOC-61

The planning officer is in charge of seeing the debriefing is done correctly.

The team leader may debrief his team first then be debriefed

The debriefing should be done in writing & with verbal.

The Team is responsible for:

• Explicit descriptions of the areas covered and activities.
• Estimate of POD is required. ( must know how to calculate)
• Difficulties with the search.
• Hazards
• Suggestions.
• Feel free to use any method of relaying the proper info.
• The info you provide is very important to setting up the next search area's, POA, POD, and POS.

Check Out

• PC SAR requires physical check-out on paper with time.

Suspension

• decision process

• PCSAR DOC-74 Search Incident Demobilization / Post Mission Plan

• demobilization

• sign-out

• safe travel

• return to service

Individuals:

• Are you ready to go into the field again, and if not how long?

Critique

• doesn't mean criticism
• want to learn as much as possible
• excellent learning opportunity even for those that didn't attend

• PCSAR DOC-29 Incident Review

• PC SAR has a critique after nearly every search.

Questions.

Collect question bank cards.