Post by RickS on Aug 19, 2015 19:51:01 GMT -5
Ideas from our fifth meeting
At the Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad HQ on Chilhowee Drive, we were taught Search & Rescue principles by Will Stewart (sp?). Will is involved with the Heavy Rescue Team.
This training session was about Search & Rescue. Emphasis was on Safety First, for you and your team. Always work with a buddy or in pairs.
Nine steps to sizing up a situation:
This is a nice quick summary of the steps:
Nine Steps for CERT Sizeup
Search & Rescue should focus on providing the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number.
For Rescue, consider the resources available to you.
I was going to include a Youtube video to discuss making the CERT X on the outside of the structure, but actually if you watch a few of those, you will see several mistakes being made, even by CERT teams. One did the initial X the wrong way, while one just did the initial \ but with nothing written above it designating date and time before they entered. Another failed to identify who they were until exiting the building and completing the X. Looks like there is room for someone with creative talent to do a good CERT Search and Rescue Building marking video!
There was a discussion about the best markers to use: Lumber pencils, Magic Marker, Wax Pencils, Spray Paint. I think many CERT kits include Lumber crayons for marking. One of the videos I watched actually taped a sheet of paper to the door and did the X on that. I would question how the tape would hold up long term and in varying weather, however.
Will explained the rules about which structures could be searched and which ones we should NOT enter due to potential for collapse. He also explained the search patterns that should be used once inside a structure, or if searching in the open. how grid patterns are used.
Basically, using the X you would first strike a \ on the building, then enter the date and time at top, and your CERT ID or other identification to the left, along with number entering. If you get trapped, someone would hopefully see the X was NOT completed and try to rescue you and your team!
Once you leave the building you finish the X and write in the areas searched on the right, and the number of victims alive and number of victims deceased below the X. If someone was left inside, note that also. Also, write in the time OUT of the building below the time IN, so others would know that all have left.
This was a very interesting lecture and we received a tour of the KVERS vehicles as well. Then there was an exercise in cribbing and lifting obstacles in order to rescue the dummies. (ok, not people, but REAL dummies!)
Nobody left that meeting without having a new respect for the KVERS philosophy and service that they render, all volunteer, 24/7!!
Just my 2 cents worth.. I took Tennessee First Responder Training in the late 90's at this station and we used bunker gear and the Jaws of Life to remove car windows and roofs (junkers of course). That alone made me realize the challenges that a rescuer faces when coming upon an emergency scene, and how important working as a team is to the entire rescue process. The trucks full of equipment now reflect the fact that they ARE prepared for most everything!
At the Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad HQ on Chilhowee Drive, we were taught Search & Rescue principles by Will Stewart (sp?). Will is involved with the Heavy Rescue Team.
This training session was about Search & Rescue. Emphasis was on Safety First, for you and your team. Always work with a buddy or in pairs.
Nine steps to sizing up a situation:
This is a nice quick summary of the steps:
Nine Steps for CERT Sizeup
Search & Rescue should focus on providing the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number.
For Rescue, consider the resources available to you.
I was going to include a Youtube video to discuss making the CERT X on the outside of the structure, but actually if you watch a few of those, you will see several mistakes being made, even by CERT teams. One did the initial X the wrong way, while one just did the initial \ but with nothing written above it designating date and time before they entered. Another failed to identify who they were until exiting the building and completing the X. Looks like there is room for someone with creative talent to do a good CERT Search and Rescue Building marking video!
There was a discussion about the best markers to use: Lumber pencils, Magic Marker, Wax Pencils, Spray Paint. I think many CERT kits include Lumber crayons for marking. One of the videos I watched actually taped a sheet of paper to the door and did the X on that. I would question how the tape would hold up long term and in varying weather, however.
Will explained the rules about which structures could be searched and which ones we should NOT enter due to potential for collapse. He also explained the search patterns that should be used once inside a structure, or if searching in the open. how grid patterns are used.
Basically, using the X you would first strike a \ on the building, then enter the date and time at top, and your CERT ID or other identification to the left, along with number entering. If you get trapped, someone would hopefully see the X was NOT completed and try to rescue you and your team!
Once you leave the building you finish the X and write in the areas searched on the right, and the number of victims alive and number of victims deceased below the X. If someone was left inside, note that also. Also, write in the time OUT of the building below the time IN, so others would know that all have left.
This was a very interesting lecture and we received a tour of the KVERS vehicles as well. Then there was an exercise in cribbing and lifting obstacles in order to rescue the dummies. (ok, not people, but REAL dummies!)
Nobody left that meeting without having a new respect for the KVERS philosophy and service that they render, all volunteer, 24/7!!
Just my 2 cents worth.. I took Tennessee First Responder Training in the late 90's at this station and we used bunker gear and the Jaws of Life to remove car windows and roofs (junkers of course). That alone made me realize the challenges that a rescuer faces when coming upon an emergency scene, and how important working as a team is to the entire rescue process. The trucks full of equipment now reflect the fact that they ARE prepared for most everything!