18 Search-and-Rescue at a Building Collapse

Question 1

What is one of the most important objectives of collapse rescue operations? (without it, rescue and removal can become a mob scene.)

Answer 1

Control and organization

Question 2

Search and Rescue at a Building Collapse involves:

Answer 2

1. Secure the collapse site
2. Incident Command System
3. Fire extinguishment
4. Collapse search and rescue
5. Site safety size-up
6. Utility shut-off
7. Time-out

Question 3

After establishing command, one of the first actions the IC must direct is to _______________.

Answer 3

Restrict access to the scene.

Question 4

The IC should consider establishing an incident command system dividing “operations” into two branches:

Answer 4

1. Firefighting
2. Collapse search and rescue

Question 5

The collapse search and rescue plan (used at OK City Bombing and New York City) was:

Answer 5

1. Secure the area
2. Survey the collapse site
3. Shut off utilities
4. Remove surface victims
5. Search voids and remove trapped victims
6. Take a time-out to reexamine safety and determine location of buried victims
7. Tunnel and trench to buried and trapped victims
8. Begin general rubble removal

Question 6

After surface victims removal and a void rescue, ______ of the survivors have been found.

Answer 6

75%

Question 7

After securing the area, the IC must order a site safety survey of all six sides:

Answer 7

The four sides plus above and below

Question 8

During the site safety survey, FFs should look for four important items:

Answer 8

1. Secondary collapse dangers
2. Fire spreading in the structure
3. Access areas to the interior of the collapse structure that may be used by rescuers
4. Trapped victims out of sight in the rear or side of the collapse area.

Question 9

After all surface victims have been removed and all voids searched, there should be what?

Answer 9

A Time-Out

Question 10

Before rescuers start tunneling and trenching, a victim-tracking officer must be able to state the following:

Answer 10

1. Missing person is confirmed to have been inside during the collapse
2. Person is not safe at nearby hospital or ambulance
3. Person is not being treated there or has not left the scene/gone home
4. Exact floor location where victim was last seen
5. Pinpoint area where collapse could shift victim in the rubble

Question 11

When a collapse occurs during a fire, the first duty of the officer in command is to do what?

Answer 11

Determine who is trapped or missing