Within the UK, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Units that form part of the National Resilience Capability have the capacity to respond to the following incidents:

• Unstable and collapsed structures arising from natural, deliberate or accidental origins.
• Serious non-road transport incidents such as major railway, tramway or aircraft incidents.
• Other incidents where there is the potential for persons to be trapped, or where it is necessary to use search and rescue equipment. Examples of such incidents include landslides, rescue from trenches and collapsed structures such as tunnels, scaffolding and bridges.

1. The breaking and breaching of building debris to allow access to trapped casualties.
2. The breaking and breaching of building debris to allow further access into a building or void.
3. The cutting of debris to a size that allows safe removal.
4. Enter and undertake rescue activities in voids under or between concrete slab and timber floors.
5. Penetrate and dig through compacted concrete, brick and timber debris utilising both trench and tunnelling techniques.
6. Lift vertically and move horizontally concrete, steel and timber debris, transport units (e.g. railway carriages) and other items of up to 100 tonnes in weight.
7. Remove brick debris, soil and other small materials from the scene of operations or the access and the egress routes to the scene.
8. Work effectively and efficiently with plant operators using cranes, forklifts, front loaders, dump trucks and other earth-moving equipment.
9. Specification of tools and equipment for use at an USAR type incident.
10. Planning, supervision and execution of rescue operations.
11. The safe implementation of those plans.

In undertaking the above listed operations, each Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Unit will employ a safe system of work. A safe system of work is a formal procedure that results from the systematic examination of a task in order to identify all the hazards.

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and equipment provided are designed to ensure the safety of those personnel using them and any casualties in need of rescue. Rescue operations and the use of associated equipment and procedures should always be undertaken and supervised by suitably qualified and trained personnel. Personnel must work within the limitations of the training and equipment that has been provided.

UK USAR Rescue Operations incorporates breeching and breaking, hot cutting and chainsaw operations and is documented with Standard Operating Procedures and other information ..... more