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Home Programs Emergency management Response USAR Canadian Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) classification guide

Canadian Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) classification guide

Photo of rescue workers setting up equipment

Introduction
Light USAR operational level
Medium USAR operational level
Heavy USAR operational level
Appendix "A" -- References

Introduction

Background

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) has the federal lead in developing Canada’s capacity to rescue victims from major structural collapse or other entrapments. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) is the general term for a group of specialized rescue skills supplemented by search, medical and structural assessment resources combined in a mobile, highly integrated team.

Origin and development

This edition of the proposed Canadian Urban Search and Rescue Classification Guide was prepared by Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada for review by its Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) advisory committee following the identification of a need to describe a continuum of USAR capacities in Canada. Heavy USAR is a demanding developmental challenge for all jurisdictions and it was apparent that a proposed classification system would serve two purposes:

To characterize the capabilities of developing teams to better categorize their operational capabilities and equipment; and
To distinguish between team capacities in order to develop funding criteria.

The premise of the classification system is that USAR is a continuum of technical rescue capabilities from light USAR (carried out with few technical resources), to heavy USAR, (multi-disciplinary teams that integrate large amounts of technical equipment and diverse professional skills in demanding rescue scenarios). It should be noted that effective rescue work is often accomplished by local rescuers using even more basic hand tools and less equipment than ascribed to the light operational level in this guide. While this work is extremely valuable and saves lives, the emphasis of this guide is on the national heavy USAR capability that PSEPC is mandated to develop.

This classification guide fulfills in part a PSEPC commitment to provincial and territorial officials responsible for emergency preparedness to develop and describe key national guidelines (and, where required, standards) to maintain a consistent national approach across the country. For Canada, the USAR Classification Guide provides a description of the capabilities that USAR teams at light, medium and heavy levels bring to disaster response. In this respect, the classification guide aims to help authorities match available resources to the demands of the rescue scenario.

Scope

The Canadian USAR Classification Guide draws on existing bodies of knowledge for definitions of operational skills, systems, and health and safety standards. In the main, these are professional references for fire, rescue and emergency medical services, and the building trades. Many activities carried out by USAR teams are regulated at federal and provincial levels in Canada for occupational health and safety, equipment certification and other standards. In any Canadian jurisdiction, several authorities may be involved in regulating the disciplines that make up USAR teams. For this reason, the Canadian USAR Classification Guide offers recommended practices and points to consider in developing a USAR capability. In interpreting the general guideline, the reader should research and apply codes and regulations relevant to their own jurisdiction. Further specific advice that applies to emergency operations in their own jurisdiction and disciplines may be required.

The classification of USAR team capabilities is a matter of domestic and international interest. A standard classification is an aid to better enable disaster-afflicted countries to match team capabilities to their response needs. The United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) is developing an international standard using categories of light, medium and heavy. PSEPC reviewed a draft INSARAG standard and began to evaluate the context of Canadian definitions that would meet international classification criteria in the context of Canadian practice and standards. The result is a document that focuses on Canadian construction materials and building techniques, safety and operational standards while at the same time conforming to INSARAG classification criteria for light, medium and heavy international USAR teams.

The summarized standards, terminology and concepts may not be readily meaningful to a general readership. Therefore each reference (e.g. NFPA 1006) is described in the list of references attached as Appendix "A" with links to the responsible authorities.

Organization

The Canadian USAR Classification Guide is organized in three sections: light, medium and heavy. Each section lists a summary of the key response criteria characterizing each USAR operational level. The table at the beginning of each section highlights these important attributes.

Each of the three sections lists the associated performance criteria, training requirements and equipment. For further information on training requirements, a summary list of key concepts is included in each section. Readers should note that the guide is progressive: heavy USAR operations incorporate the criteria for medium USAR which incorporates the criteria for light USAR.

Light USAR operational level

Operational USAR level and area of response	Time period (sustained response)	Victim care capacity (numbers of Persons) B = Black (mortality) R = Red (critical) Y = Yellow (moderate) G = Green (minor)				Structural response (Type of construction teams are equipped and trained to search and stabilize)
Operational USAR level and area of response	Time period (sustained response)	B	R	Y	G
Light: Within jurisdiction	One operational shift: (up to 12 hours)	N/A	0	5	10	Structural wood systems Light metal components Un-reinforced masonry which support floors, other wall-cladding and roofing systems
Medium: Within mutual aid boundaries	One operating day (24 hours)	N/A	1-2	5	10	All collapsed or failed structures Includes search and rescue operations for heavy timber, reinforced masonry construction, or steel frame)
Heavy: Across Canada.	Up to 10 operating days, (Re-supplied within 3 days)	N/A	10	15	25+	All collapsed or failed structures Includes structural engineering and rigging for massive structural collapse

Note to "Victim care capacity"

Since the fundamental purpose of USAR teams is to locate and extricate trapped victims, immediate life support is a critical function. The column Victim care capacity is the notional limits that teams at each level can treat with their integral resources. A standard medical triage colour coding system is used for the reader’s reference since Canadian classification of medical first responder skills can vary across jurisdictions.

It is expected that mobilized USAR teams will integrate their victim care capability with capacity resident in the system of the afflicted jurisdiction. Discussions on the mechanisms and protocols required to support the desired level of integration are ongoing.

Light USAR operational level

Training	Performance requirements
Basic Urban Search and Rescue: Initial assessment Safety procedures Rescue equipment Common hand tools Search procedures Basic rope rescue techniques Patient packaging Extrication Structural collapse theory -- types of building construction and collapse/voids Emergency building shores (EBS)	Basic Urban Search and Rescue: Recognize the risk presented by light frame structures and potential consequences Maintain and take action under relevant codes and standards for workplace occupational health and safety Properly operate and maintain rescue equipment Properly operate and maintain hand tools Apply basic visual and verbal search techniques Single point anchor systems, knots hitches and bends, construct and operate a belay system Demonstrate proper patient immobilization techniques Demonstrate extrication procedures for partially buried or lightly trapped victims Apply rescue techniques, including removal of light rubble in damaged or failed light frame structures Construct various applicable shoring components, apply mechanical advantage and cribbing to lift loads and stabilize collapse structures
Basic life support (BLS)	Provide BLS, patient packaging, and extrication
Hazardous materials awareness	Apply basic procedures for hazardous material incidents safety
Incident management system (IMS)	Establish an incident management system and/or join command already established. Demonstrate ability to implement IMS principles.
Relevant codes and standards for workplace occupational safety and health	Demonstrate knowledge of relevant and applicable codes and standards, e.g. CSA, COSH
INSARAG marking systems	Apply the INSARAG marking systems

Light USAR operational level training requirements

Many of the skills and knowledge requirements for light USAR are covered in NFPA 1670: Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents.

1. Basic Urban Search and Rescue

Introduction to Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
Risk assessment
Heavy lifting, cribbing, and shoring
Ropes and knots
Patient packaging and extrication
Ladder rescue procedures
Search (hailing and visual method)
Physical search / search patterns
INSARAG marking systems for structures and victim location

2. Medical first responder or equivalent

Emergency medical services (EMS)
Infectious disease precautions
Anatomical references
Initial assessment and physical exam
Basic life support and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (BLS and CPR)
Haemorrhage and shock
Soft-tissue injuries
Musculoskeletal injuries
Injuries to the skull, spine, and chest
Burns and environmental emergencies
Poisoning
Medical emergencies: cardiovascular and cerebral-vascular respiratory emergencies
Medical emergencies: seizures: diabetic, and abdominal
Childbirth emergencies
Moving and lifting patients
Triage
Protocols for oxygen therapy

3. HazMat first responder

HazMat incidents (awareness level NFPA 472)
Use of the Transport Canada CANUTEC Emergency Response Guidebook (latest Edition) or equivalent
Occupational safety and health
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

4. Incident management system (IMS)

IMS principles and structure
Expansion and contraction of IMS structure
Facilities
Resources
Action plan
Activation, operations, and demobilization
Closure

Light USAR operational level equipment requirements

The following is a recommended list of tools for a light USAR team.

1. Basic manual operated and powered cutting tools, for example:

Circular saw
Chain saw
Chisels
Hack saw
Reciprocating saw
Side and bolt cutters

2. Manual breaking / breaching tools, for example:

Sledge hammer
Halligan tool
Pry bar
Cold chisel

3. Basic rope rescue equipment, for example:

Harness
Webbing
Prussics
Carabiners
Pulleys

4. Assortment of levers

5. Dimensional lumber

6. Handheld mobile communications equipment sufficient for SAR operations

7. Basic life support equipment

8. Personal protective equipment suitable for relevant codes and standards for
workplace occupational safety and health, for example:

Respirators and filter cartridges
Steel-toed boots
Hard hat
Safety eye wear

9. Whistles and / or horns for signalling

10. Building marking supplies, for example:

Spray paint
Lumber crayons
Flagging tape
Marking pens

11. Portable rehabilitation shelter facility (complete with bottled water and
food energy supplies), for example:

Tent
Military style or freeze dried food components

12. Heavy-duty bumper hitch or gooseneck hitch trailer

Maximum GVW of 6,750 kg (15,000 lbs.)

Medium USAR operational level

Operational USAR level and area of response	Time period (sustained response)	Victim care capacity (numbers of Persons) B = Black (mortality) R = Red (critical) Y = Yellow (moderate) G = Green (minor)				Structural response (Type of construction teams are equipped and trained to search and stabilize)
Operational USAR level and area of response	Time period (sustained response)	B	R	Y	G
Light: Within jurisdiction	One operational shift: (up to 12 hours)	N/A	0	5	10	Structural wood systems Light metal components Un-reinforced masonry which support floors, other wall-cladding and roofing systems
Medium: Within mutual aid boundaries	One operating day (24 hours)	N/A	1-2	5	10	All collapsed or failed structures Includes search and rescue operations for heavy timber, reinforced masonry construction, or steel frame)
Heavy: Across Canada.	Up to 10 operating days, (Re-supplied within 3 days)	N/A	10	15	25+	All collapsed or failed structures Includes structural engineering and rigging for massive structural collapse

Note to "Victim care capacity"

Medium USAR operational level

Training	Performance criteria
Collapsed structure search and rescue	Recognize the risks associated with all types of construction, their characteristics, collapse patterns and their potential consequences.
	Apply lifting techniques for loads up to 10 metric tons, using mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic equipment.
	Apply stabilizing and cribbing techniques to loads and drag and roll loads (not with use of cranes).
	Construct shoring systems for all construction types.
Safety officer	Demonstrate knowledge of relevant and applicable codes and standards (e.g. CSA, COSH).
HazMat operations technician level (optional)	Operate air monitoring / gas detection equipment. Apply basic procedures for hazardous material incidents safety.
CBRN awareness level	Recognition of CBRN threats.
Medical equipment and protocols	Apply medical protocols in delivery of ALS and HazMat care related to NFPA 472.
Confined space rescue	Conduct rescue operations consistent with NFPA 1670 (NFPA 1006 optional).
Trench rescue	Conduct rescue operations consistent with NFPA 1670 (NFPA 1006 optional).
Rope rescue	Conduct rescue operations consistent with NFPA 1670 (NFPA 1006 optional).
Vehicle and machinery rescue	Conduct rescue operations consistent with NFPA 1670 (NFPA 1006 optional).
Technical search (optional)	Apply optical, acoustic / seismic search techniques (optional).
Canine search (optional)	Control / handle USAR trained search dog (optional).
Surface water rescue (optional)	Demonstrate knowledge of surface water rescue (NFPA 1670 / 1006).

Medium USAR operational level training requirements

(Includes light USAR training requirements 1 through 4.)

Many of the skills and knowledge requirements listed below at 1-6 are covered in NFPA 472: Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents, 1006: Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications, and 1670: Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents.

1. Technical rescue
(Structural collapse, confined space, trench, rope, vehicle and machinery, and
surface water rescue)

Organizing and starting a technical rescue operation
Operational safety
Equipment, tools, and accessories
Rescue strategies and techniques
Patient packaging and extrication

2. Rescue specialist
Operation of the specialized equipment and procedures necessary for
completing any technical rescue operation, for example:

Structural triage
Atmospheric monitoring
Soil assessment
Constructing haul systems
Vehicle stabilization
Lock out / tag out procedures
Assessing water hazards

3. Emergency medical care

Regional procedures to provide pre-hospital medical care to critical patients
critical incident stress management (CISM)
Field health procedures

4. Safety officer

Risk management standards
Technical rescue procedures
Regional and national safety codes

5. Environmental assessment

Atmospheric monitoring equipment
HazMat / CBRN detection and monitoring equipment
Hazardous materials containment
Bio-hazard waste management

6. Advanced training in incident management systems (IMS)

IMS principles and structure
Personnel accountability
Expansion and contraction of IMS structure
Facilities
Resources
Action plan
Position descriptions
Unified command
Demobilization

Medium USAR operational level equipment requirements

The following is a recommended list of tools for a medium USAR team.

1. Hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical equipment for cutting plate steel or rebar
up to 40 mm thick, for example:

Petro-Gen cutting torch
K-12 saw and blades
Electric rebar shears

2. Hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical equipment for breaking material up to
15 cm thick, for example:

Air or electric jack hammers
Hammer drills

3. Hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical equipment for lifting loads up to 10 metric
tons, for example:

High or low pressure lifting bags
Hydraulic jacks

4. Hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical equipment for shoring, for example:

Aluminum shoring struts
Manufactured shoring boxes or panels

5. Equipment and accessories for raising and lowering loads, anchoring, securing,
moving, and dragging loads, for example:

Turfer hoist
Chain or cable come-along
Cable blocks and sheaves

6. Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and replacement cylinder

Must conform to current NFPA rescue criteria for supplied air breathing apparatus (SABA)

7. Advanced life support equipment for at least 1 to 2 patients, including:

Stabilization
Packaging
Extrication

8. Equipment accessories for generating, supplying, and measuring electricity, for
example:

Gas powered generator -- maximum 7000 watts
Ohm meter
“Hot stick”

9. Air monitoring / gas detection equipment, for example:

3 or 4 sensor handheld monitor

10. Asset Management System (bar code equipment programs)

11. Optical, acoustic / seismic search equipment (optional)

12. Associated canine care equipment (optional), for example:

Canine medical kit and pharmaceuticals
Dog food
Decontamination shower
Leash and anchor tie down

13. Water surface rescue personal protective equipment (optional), for example:

Personal floatation device
Water rescue helmet
Exposure suit
Throw rope

Heavy USAR operational level

Operational USAR level and area of response	Time period (sustained response)	Victim care capacity (numbers of Persons) B = Black (mortality) R = Red (critical) Y = Yellow (moderate) G = Green (minor)				Structural response (Type of construction teams are equipped and trained to search and stabilize)
Operational USAR level and area of response	Time period (sustained response)	B	R	Y	G
Light: Within jurisdiction	One operational shift: (up to 12 hours)	N/A	0	5	10	Structural wood systems Light metal components Un-reinforced masonry which support floors, other wall-cladding and roofing systems
Medium: Within mutual aid boundaries	One operating day (24 hours)	N/A	1-2	5	10	All collapsed or failed structures Includes search and rescue operations for heavy timber, reinforced masonry construction, or steel frame)
Heavy: Across Canada.	Up to 10 operating days, (Re-supplied within 3 days)	N/A	10	15	25+	All collapsed or failed structures Includes structural engineering and rigging for massive structural collapse

Note to "Victim care capacity"

It is expected that mobilized USAR teams will integrate their victim care capability with capacity resident in the system of the afflicted jurisdiction. Discussions on the mechanisms and protocols required tosupport the desired level of integration are ongoing.

Heavy USAR operational level

Training	Performance criteria
Technical search	Apply optical, acoustic/seismic search techniques
Canine search	Implement USAR trained search dog procedures
Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and Advanced trauma life support (ATLS) medical equipment and protocols	Apply medical protocols in delivery of ACLS / ATLS care
Rigging Specialist	Apply rigging and lifting safety and operating standards
Technical information	Collect and disseminate relevant technical information
HazMat / CBRN specialist	Ability to mitigate HazMat / CBRN incident effects
Planning Specialist	Ability to develop and record operational plans
Structural Specialist	Registered professional structural engineer with demolition experience
Logistics Specialist	Ability to procure and manage equipment and supplies for team operation
Communications Specialist	Licensed to operate and ability to maintain all team communication systems
Dedicated Public Communications / liaison Specialist(s)	Ability to liaise with outside agencies and / or act as a public information officer

Heavy USAR operational level training requirements

(Includes light USAR training requirements 1 through 4 and medium USAR training requirements 1 through 6.)

Many of the skills and knowledge requirements for heavy rescue are covered in:

NFPA 1670 -- Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents; and
NFPA 1006 -- Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications (Operations / Technician Levels).

HazMat skills and knowledge requirements are covered in:

NFPA 472 Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents (Operations / Technician Levels).

1. Rigging specialist

Assessing the capacity and capability of construction related equipment
Various rigging techniques, including the development of rigging plans and procedures

2. Structural specialist

Typical work of a registered professional structural engineer, in USAR

Identifying structure types, assessing risks posed by structural damage
Designing, inspecting, and supervising structural hazard reduction interventions
Structural monitoring
Demolitions
Could work with assistance of a civil engineering technologist with experience in structural and demolition work

3. Technical search specialist

Advanced principles and theories of electronic search
Operation of selected technical electronic, optical, and acoustic search equipment
Coordinating multiple search operations

4. Canine search specialist

Canine search operations
Search pattern selection criteria, including:
- Terrain
- Structures
- Weather
- Air circulation characteristics

5. Medical specialist

Advanced care paramedic under the supervision of a Medical
Director (minimum).

Advanced trauma / life support / advanced cardiac life support.

6. Logistics specialist

International Air Transportation Association (IATA) loadmaster.

Transportation of dangerous goods (road and air).
Asset tracking and management systems.

7. Communications specialist

Licensed amateur radio operator.

Equipment scheduling and maintenance procedures.
Planning, establishing, and maintaining all team communications systems and networks.

8. HazMat / CBRN specialist

Certified HazMat technician per NFPA 472.

Development and implementation of operational plans to mitigate HazMat / CBRN incident effects.

9. Technical information and planning specialist

Data management, word processing, and graphic software.
Technical report writing.
Emergency management.

10. Public information specialist

Media relations
Crisis communications
USAR operations

Heavy USAR operational level equipment requirements

The following is a recommended list of tools for a heavy USAR team.

1. Optical, acoustic, seismic search equipment.

Associated canine care equipment.

2. Appropriate advanced cardiac life support / advance trauma life support
monitoring equipment and pharmaceuticals.

3. Hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical equipment for lifting loads up to 10 metric
tons.

4. Appropriate information technology and reference materials / library and
equipment.

5. Radiological monitoring, personal protective equipment and decontamination
(for team requirements).

6. Appropriate equipment and office supplies.

7. Appropriate engineering tools, measuring devices, software, and reference
materials.

8. Complete base camp facilities for all weather conditions including:

Medical treatment
Field kitchen
Sanitation / shower
Water storage / purification
Food storage
Cache, maintenance, and storage
Equipment and personnel deployment vehicles including trucks, forklifts, trailers, and ATV’s.

9. Warehousing space -- approximately 1,000 m² or 10,000 ft².

10. Training simulators and equipment.

11. Complete communications system including pagers, sat-com, internet, fax
and operations site team communications.

Appendix "A"

References

Canadian occupational safety and health (COSH)

Occupational safety and health (OSH), is assured through a network of regulators -- some operating on a national basis, Provincial and Territorial levels or in the federal government workplace. For a number of specified federally regulated and international industries, the Canada Labour Code, Part II applies. Other OSH codes may be more or less prescriptive and it is important to know the relevant codes applicable to the jurisdiction in which you will operate.

The Canada Labour Code establishes the legislative framework and outlines the duties and responsibilities of the work place parties pertaining to occupational health and safety. The Canada Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) Regulations identifies, in detail, the specific requirements to ensure a healthy and safe work place.

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA)

The CSA develops a broad range of occupational health and safety standards, certifies electrical equipment including tools used in USAR and contributes to standards referenced in the Canadian Building Code and the Canadian Electrical Code.

For example, in Canada, the use of self-contained breathing apparatus is effectively governed by the CSA International standard CSA Z94.4-93, Selection, Use and Care of Respirators. It deals with program administration, hazard identification, fit testing, training, the use and maintenance of equipment, health surveillance of users and program evaluation. The standard does not however deal with respirator manufacture.

International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG)

The confined space search and rescue marking system (CSSR) promoted as a Canadian standard is the CSSR marking system developed by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), United Nations Office of the Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA). It provides for conspicuous identification of work site hazards, standardized mapping, sketch and landmark labelling with common symbols, ensures the accuracy of search assessment markings and documents USAR team accomplishments.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

A division of the U.S. Centre for Disease Control, NIOSH is a leading standards organization noted particularly in the USAR classifications for manufacturing standards of respirators.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

The NFPA develops standards and codes through a consultative process. Of particular interest are the following consensus-based performance standards related to urban search and rescue.

NFPA 472 -- Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents.

Document Scope: Covers the requirements for first responder, hazardous materials technician, and hazardous materials specialist.

Current Edition: 2002

NFPA 1006 -- Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications

Document Scope: This standard establishes the minimum job performance requirements necessary for fire service and other emergency response personnel who perform technical rescue operations.

Current Edition: 2003

NFPA 1670 -- Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents

Document Scope: Identifies and establishes performance levels for safely and effectively conducting operations at technical rescue incidents.

Current Edition: 2004

Standards development organizations

There are four standards development organizations (SDOs) in Canada that have been accredited by the Standards Council of Canada:

Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ)

Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB)

Canadian Standards Association (CSA)

Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC)

Through their technical committees, each has developed consensus standards bearing on occupational health and safety or product registration affecting USAR operations. Exhaustive listings of relevant technical standards are not possible but see for example the discussion on the CSA and its products.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS "controlled products", the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education programs.

WHMIS is implemented through coordinated federal, provincial and territorial legislation. Supplier labelling and MSDS requirements are set out under the Hazardous Products Act and associated Controlled Products Regulations. The Hazardous Products Act and its regulations are administered by the Government of Canada Department of Health, commonly referred to as Health Canada.



	Last updated: 2006-06-28		Important notices