| Stages of a Rescue Detailed as per SARBC by Ken Snider |
| STAGE 4 Stage 4 involves exploration of voids and selected debris removal. The Stage 4 personnel will go to the highest probability of survival areas identified by the Stage 3 teams, starting with the area suspected to have the highest number of entrapped persons first. Once at these locations they will start a subsurface search for survivors. The search usually starts with a call and listen. A call and listen is carried out with voice or hammer. With the hammer method a pipe or beam appearing to go into the void in question which would transmit vibrations is struck solidly three times then a minute of silence is observed by all in the team. If required, the Stage 4 team will use small tools and light hydraulics for selected debris removal to gain access to the voids. Stage 4 teams will document any areas that will require further exploration with heavy equipment or rescue specialists. The same types of volunteers will be needed to follow the trained rescuers as were used in Stage 3. Often it is this stage that electronic subsurface search gear is used and those personnel operating this type of equipment will have special demands of the search teams. This must be discussed at the team briefing prior to starting the search areas. Stage 4 will require advanced urban search technicians, as they will be venturing into unstable areas of the building, and may be required to use technical equipment such as: S.C.B.A., Sniffers, Rope Gear, etc. STAGE 5 Stage 5 requires all teams evacuate the building and only one Stage 5 team is usually allowed to work in the structure at one time. This is due to the heavy equipment that will be used to gain access to all voids and subsurface areas that may contain casualties, alive or dead. The main objective of the highly trained Stage 5 rescuers is to systematically remove debris to gain access to the remaining victims. The areas identified by the Stage 4 search teams will be prioritized by the rescue manager, then access will be gained to these areas via appropriate means, such as: - Heavy debris removal with Hydraulics. - Trenching or Tunnelling using cutting tools. - Lifting or moving large masses with crane or backhoe. - Forcing with Air Bags. - Burning through walls with Electric Oxygen Plasma Cutters - etc. Stage 5 continues with constant assessment of the structures stability. If stability is being lost, the building is shored up and the stability is maintained throughout the operation. When all the Stage 5 operations are complete, a thorough search is conducted of the entire building. If the search proves negative to any possibility of any persons alive or dead being in the building, then the rescue manager will have the structure secured and sealed, ready for demolition. The rescue unit may move to the next site. To save the most lives if many buildings are involved the heavy rescue teams will leave all Stage 5 work until all buildings have been done up to Stage 4. This is due to the incredible amount of time and resources that have to be spent on a Stage 5 operation for few results. There is not much logic in digging out bodies while survivors are dying in another building, lightly entrapped. |