Rescue Systems I Rescue Systems I Disaster response and Structural Disaster response and Structural

CollapseCollapseBy

Jeff Palensky

Firefighter/Paramedic

Disasters can be man made or Disasters can be man made or naturalnatural

May 18,th 1980, eruption of Mt. St. Helens

World Trade Bombing

Oklahoma City Bombing, April 19, 1995

They can be relatively small They can be relatively small scale or cover large areasscale or cover large areas

Sioux City Airliners Crash

Mississippi Valley Flood

ResourcesResources

Local Resousces

State Resources

Federal Resources

Local ResourcesLocal Resources

Fire Department Law Enforcement Public Works Volunteer search and rescue Community Disaster Response Light rescue teams from business and

industry

State ResourcesState Resources

State PatrolNational Guard

Governor can request a declaration of disaster from the president

Federal ResourcesFederal Resources

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) USAR task forces comprised of four components

– Search – Rescue– Medical – Technical

Staffing for the four components totals 62 personnel including a

team leader and assistant

Four Levels of USARFour Levels of USAROperational Capabilities Operational Capabilities

Basic Operation Level

Light Operation Level

Medium Operations Level

Heavy Operational level

Basic Operation LevelBasic Operation Level

Size up existing and potential conditions to conduct safe USAR

Procedures for establishing ICS Procedures for activating appropriate USAR

recourses Utilize the standard USAR building and victom

markings Perform visual and audible search for victoms Providing basic medical care

Light Operation LevelLight Operation Level

Basic knowledge of tactics and theory to help locate likely survival spots

Provide BLS careKnowledge of ability to perform breaching

in light weight constructionAbility to transport patients for elevated or

below grade areas of one to four stories

Medium Operation LevelMedium Operation Level

Minimum capability to conduct safe SAR in collapsed buildings

Understanding and ability to breach, break and lift heavy concrete

Use of tools listed in medium ops. tool listKnowledge of heavy equip. and rigging

ops. and how to acquire such equip.Rescue Systems 1 or equivalent

Heavy Operation LevelHeavy Operation Level

Meet the Medium Ops. Level and have RS- II or equivalent training

Knowledge of the use and operation of equipment for cutting, breaching, lifting, and moving components of steel and reinforced concrete structures

Four Phases of StructuralFour Phases of StructuralCollapse RescueCollapse Rescue

Phase IPhase ISize up and ReconSize up and Recon

Depending on event can last few minutes to several hours

Find out how big the problem isOrganized Survey of the damaged areaWhat resources are availableWhat can we do about the problem

Prioritize the problemsPrioritize the problems

First priority is yourselfSecond is you family and co-workerThird is other peopleFourth is property

Prioritization allows you to determine which problems to solve first

Establish Command and ControlEstablish Command and Control

Designate a command spotRemain available by staying in the

command post

Rescue and removeRescue and remove surface victims surface victims

50% of all survivors are surface victims- injured but not trapped, Deal with them first

Remove them from the hazards Keep people from entering structures, allow

structures time to settle Organize spontaneous rescue teams and direct

them where they will do the most good

Phase IIPhase II

Begins when rescue teams arrive and ICS has been established

Use info. gathered to search the likely survival places

Use location methods, searching outside by voice, listening devices, dogs, heat sensing and fiber optics

Phase II (cont.)Phase II (cont.)

Search the voids as a last resort Enter those voids that

have highest likelihood

of survivors Shore as you go Monitor for hazards 30% of all survivors in Structural collapse are

involved in non structural entrapment

Phase IIIPhase III

Starts after all surface victims are removed and cared for and those in voids can removed without major debris removal

Selective debris removal using heavy equipment , trained rescue teams working with private contractors

Removal of entombed victims

Phase IVPhase IV

Usually 5-6 days after event

Probability of further survivors is minimal, and private contractors will usually finish clean up

SearchSearch

Type of SearchType of Search

Physical Search

Canine Search

Technical Search

Use all three for the most complete search

Search

Markings

Building Construction Types Building Construction Types and Characteristicsand Characteristics

Light Frame Building CollapseLight Frame Building Collapse

Light Frame Building CollapseLight Frame Building Collapse

Residential homes and apartmentsHighly susceptible to firesComplete collapses occur frequently

Rescuers look for badly cracked walls, leaning walls, offset of structure from foundation, or leaning first story

Heavy Wall Heavy Wall Unreinforced Masonry (URM)Unreinforced Masonry (URM)

Heavy Wall Heavy Wall Unreinforced Masonry (URM)Unreinforced Masonry (URM)

One to six stories high, residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional

Principle weekess in lateral strengthPartial collapse is most common

Rescuers check for loose/broken parapet walls, connections between walls and floor, unsupported and partially collapsed floors

Heavy WallHeavy WallTilt-Up/Reinforced MasonryTilt-Up/Reinforced Masonry

Heavy WallHeavy WallTilt-Up/Reinforced MasonryTilt-Up/Reinforced Masonry

One to five storiesUsually industrial/commercialWeakness is between walls and floors or

roofs. Walls fall away from floor/roof

Rescuers check connection of walls and roofs/floors, and connection between beams and columns

Heavy Floor BuildingHeavy Floor Building

Heavy Floor BuildingHeavy Floor Building

Residential, commercial, industrialConcrete frames up to 12 storiesIncludes concrete highway bridgesWeakness is poor column reinforcement,

and connection between floor and columnMay fail partially or completely, and

potential laterally

Types of Collapse VoidsTypes of Collapse Voids

Lean-To VoidLean-To Void

Lean-To VoidLean-To Void

V-Type Collapse VoidV-Type Collapse Void

Pancake VoidPancake Void

Cantilever VoidCantilever Void

ShoringShoring

Vertical Shores– T-Shore (Spot shore)– Window and Door shores– Laced Posts– Cribbing

ShoringShoring

Lateral Shores– Trench Shore– Wood Horizontal Shores– Hydraulic Trench Shore– One-Sided Trench Shore– Raker Shores

““T” Spot ShoreT” Spot Shore

Used as a temporary shore to initially stabilize damaged floors

Weight needs to be directed over the shoreHeader is kept short to minimize tipping4x4 Douglas Fir is the most common wood3 foot max. header unless 18” Gussets are

used

Nail Patterns for “T” shoreNail Patterns for “T” shore2x4 material uses 16b nails¾” Plywood uses 8b nails

4x4 Header

No longer

than 3 foot

3/4 “ Gusset

12”x12”

4x4 post

2x4

Cleat

Window and Door ShoresWindow and Door Shores

Usually installed in an entry point for intended for rescue personnel

Shore both Vertically and HorizontallyRequires one inch of thickness for every

foot of horizontal opening

SafetySafety

Categories of HazardsCategories of Hazards

Structural InstabilityStructural Instability

Weakened Floors, walls, roofs, beams and columns

Free standing wallsSpalling of Concrete structure, masonryShifting of debris from aftershocks,

vibrations or secondary collapseAttached buildings can be an exposure, or

weakened by collapse

Overhead HazardsOverhead Hazards

Loosened debris and unstable building structures overhead

Low hanging power lines

Building contents that are unstable and displaced

Failing slings or cables whiles lifting material

Surface HazardsSurface Hazards

Sharp DebrisSharp Debris

Broken Glass Jagged Metal Nails Wood Splinters Rough Masonry

Slippery SurfacesSlippery Surfaces

Fluids Water, Ice, Snow Sewage Unsure footing Improper footwear

                                    

Other Surface HazardsOther Surface Hazards

Sink holes/ground depression by earth movement

Downed live power linesOpened manhole covers and other

dangerous opening when flooding occursHeavy equipment

Below-grade HazardsBelow-grade Hazards

Atmospheric changes due to ruptured fuel, gas lines or presence of hazardous chemicals

Floods– May have caused the collapse– From ruptures water/sewage lines– From ground water

Elevation differences can cause difficult access and egress

Utilities HazardsUtilities Hazards

Electric Fuel/gas Water Steam Sewage

Hazardous MaterialsHazardous Materials

Commercial establishmentHazardous Household Chemicals

Ammonia, Bleach, cleaners, solvents, etc.

Garage

Other HazardsOther Hazards

Fire, Smoke, Explosion

Heavy Vibrations Inhalation Hazards Power tools Noise Scene Control

What Are Some of the What Are Some of the Hazards?Hazards?

Hazards?Hazards?

ThisThis

                        

Floor CollapseFloor Collapse

Safety EquipmentSafety Equipment

Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment

Helmet Eye Protection Gloves Knee pads Clothes Work Boots Radio Lights

Personal LightsPersonal Lights

Hand lightHelmet lightDon’t rely on one person for lightHave back-upChemical light

Respiratory ProtectionRespiratory Protection

Level will depend on atmospheric hazards

Cartridge filter SCBA Supplied Air

Safety OfficersSafety Officers

One for each unitShouldn’t be engaged in rescue effortsConcentration on team and hazardsUtilize Safety checklistRotation of crews

Rotating CrewsRotating Crews

Lessens the risk of fatigue injuriesRotate partial crewsMonitor work times of all crews

Rescuers will work longer if they’re not told to take a break

Buddy SystemBuddy System

CommunicationsCommunications

Maintain voice contact with rescuers

Communicate needs to team leaders

All rescuers should have a portable radio

Have predetermined hand signals

Communications Cont’Communications Cont’

Coordinate rescue effort with other teams so that one team doesn’t place other team in danger.

Advise team leaders of progressEspecially important during night ops

Evacuation/Escape ProceduresEvacuation/Escape Procedures

Signaling systems FEMA US&R task force evacuation signals

Devices• Air horns

• Hand held CO2 boat horns

• Vehicle horns

SignalsSignals

Cease operation/all quiet: One long Blast (3 seconds)

Evacuate area: Three short blasts (one second each)

Resume Operations: One long and one short blast

Escape ProceduresEscape Procedures

Alternate exitCommunicate if you become trappedRadioVoiceBanging on structurePrearranging signalsAdvise leaders of escape from building

Approach ConsiderationsApproach Considerations

Secondary devicesSafe Zones/Collapse area (Danger Zones)Hazardous materialsControl of Scene

Safety ConsiderationsSafety Considerations

Wear proper gear, use the buddy systemControl utilities early

Gas, Electric, Water

Monitor atmosphere Radioactivity, O2, Flammable

Eliminate fire danger Have hoses/extinguishers available wet areas prior to using spark producing tools

Safety Considerations Cont’Safety Considerations Cont’

Establish safe areas to keep people out of dangerous areas

Barrier tape in X pattern to warn about hazard Two rows of straight tape to control access

Monitor Building MovementBefore searching voids remember, “3 Ss”

Survey Stabilize Search

Safety Considerations Cont’Safety Considerations Cont’

Have awareness for Stress FactorsRehabEnforce Safety

Rescuer Safety is number one Priority!

Questions?Questions?