Urban Search and Rescue Equipment Categories & Maintenance

These teams breach, shore, lift and remove structural components, use heavy construction equipment to remove debris, and medically treat and transfer victims. There are five categories of equipment usually associated with a USAR team; Medical, Search and Rescue, Communications, Technical Support, and Logistics. Here is some further detail;

Medical

The medical portion of the equipment includes tools to provide sophisticated medical treatment for victims. Often included are supplies to provide limited treatment of disaster search canines. The treatment materials are designed to be enough to handle critical cases, moderate cases and minor cases. Items include medicines, intravenous fluids, blankets, airways, tracheal tubes, defibrillators, burn treatment supplies, bone saws, and scalpels.

Search and Rescue

Contains all the equipment that the Search and Rescue teams will need to extricate victims from debris. Technical search tools include telescopic cameras with heat-detecting sensors and seismic listening devices. Construction type equipment is also used such as; concrete saws, jackhammers, drills and rope, and technical rescue type equipment.

Communications

Generators, lights, radios, cellular phones, laptop computers are some equipment which the team personnel will be issued. Portable radios are provided at the point of departure to a disaster. Radios operated will have a range capable of penetrating structures.

Technical support

Teams will use snake-like cameras, fiberscopes, sensitive listening devices, measuring devices such as laser rangefinders, strain gauges, and levels. They will also use hazmat equipment and support equipment for canines such as kennels, harnesses, and sleeping pads.

Logistics

This is the equipment used to maintain the team. It includes sleeping bags, cots, food, and water, as well as cold-weather gear, portable toilets, portable showers. Also included is safety equipment such as gloves, earplugs, kneepads, respirators, and protective eyewear. Along with administrative equipment such as office supplies and reference materials.

How can USAR teams maintain their equipment?

USAR equipment is highly specialized, and therefore often has specific maintenance schedules that need to be followed. D4H Equipment Management is specifically designed for such specialized response equipment.

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