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URBAN SEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR THE INITIAL RESPONSE INCIDENT COMMANDER
Developed by Mike Cook, Guy Kerr, Rick LaValla, Chris Long, Richard Smith, Stacey Smith
( a 2 or 3 day course )
Managing urban search and rescue operations can be amongst the most difficult and challenging Search and Rescue (SAR) tasks the experienced Incident Commander may ever be asked to undertake. Yet, no text or course has previously existed that focuses and adapts the principles of wilderness/rural search management on the urban situation.
Though the general Search principles that we have learned for the wilderness setting will generally apply to the urban area, specific procedures used during most wilderness SAR operations will not directly apply to the typical urban SAR incident. The wilderness procedures for containment, travel aides, subject behavior and geographical barriers do not readily translate into workable techniques for the urban SAR incident.
Additionally, the urban environment of concrete and asphalt also adds a complexity to Urban Search planning. Travel distances are often much greater in the Urban setting. Travel on pavement is much easier than through fields and countryside. The presence of Rapid Transit Systems, Buses and Taxi Cabs make it possible for the missing individual to be out of the search area before the Search even gets started. Couple this with the significant possibility of potential criminal activity, and of large scale public involvement, and the incident can quickly expand into one that is very difficult to manage in an organized and effective manner.
The purpose of this course and text is to address urban search. It is based on the rural/wilderness oriented “Search Management for the Initial Response Incident Commander” text and course and has been developed and written by a panel of urban search management practitioners. This text and course utilizes “the Six Step Process,” a recognized approach to tackling an operational problem. It specifies a sequence of steps to take from the point at which the problem first manifests itself up to the implementation of the action needed to resolve it.
As in the rural or wilderness setting, the initial response to the urban incident should also be rapid, protect the scene, provide a quick analysis and alert of the situation, and move to quickly confine the movement of the subject. (Remember, “search is an emergency.”) In this course you will learn that it is imperative that the “300-meter rule” be observed on every search. The 300-meter circle around the point last scene must be the first and most thoroughly searched segment (and the subject’s residence should be searched a number of times).
Course Purpose:
•To give the participants enough training and experience (through table top exercises) to conduct an urban search mission immediately using a “best practices” SOP (6 Step Process).
•Provide an orientation on both urban search and rescue management concepts, with emphasis on the basic concepts that will assist the participant in the planning of the “initial response” operational period.
•Orientation to Incident Command System (ICS) and “initial response” procedures.
•Development of an urban search “initial response” Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Objectives, upon completion, a participant should be able to:
•Manage an urban search (first operational period).
•List the “crucials” of search management.
•Explain the value of and conduct an urban SAR Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA).
•List components of an effective urban SAR program.
•Apply incident management principles (use of ICS).
•Apply the 6-step incident response process.
•Identify, apply, and discuss urban search management principles (essential fundamentals).
•Initiate an effective and appropriate response to a missing person report.
•Apply initial response resources in a SAR incident.
•Anticipate and manage changes in incident complexity (or be able to set stage for multiple operational periods)
•Manage crucial search management information.
Course Content: Size up the Situation; Identify Contingencies; Determine Goal and Objectives; Identify Resources Needed; Build a Plan and a Structure; Take Action; The Second Cycle and Beyond; Introduction to Search Management Philosophy and Theory; Incident Management; Considerations When Developing Objectives and Tasks; First Notice, Investigation, Interviewing; Missing Person Behavior: Data and Checklists; Urban Search Techniques; Criminal or Non-Criminal Search.
For more information contact Rick@SearchAndRescueTraining.com
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NEW TRAINING COURSES ARE NOW BEING FINALIZED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: CO, WA (2), NM, and WY.
- More Courses
News
- You can plan now for this fall or next spring training. Get the dates you want, that will best meet YOUR schedule. Rick at SearchandRescueTraining.com is available to work with you on dates, course cost etc.
- For planning purposes, typical cost for the "Search Management System (SMS)" workshop (just updated in April of 2008) is approximately $125.00 per student plus a $40.00 per student 300 page workbook. The cost includes all instructor travel, fees etc. Your training will also be advertised on the web site if you wish to open the course to personnel outside of your area. Please contact Rick for a firm quote.
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“Really enjoyed the class. I've been telling the SAR coordinator that MSO was a good class but something was missing. This seminar fills that gap nicely.”
“The planning process works! Once we get people trained under this new system things will run much smoother.”
” Just a note to say I enjoyed the class. The course was outstanding and it brought out the true sense of the "real" searches.”
For More Information Contact
Goodman & Associates
9519 Admiral Dewey Ave. NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111
505 238-8669
