www.mawwfire.gov.uk
Urban Search and Rescue
Background
Following the events of 911 in the US, the UK government implemented a programme to ensure that the UK Fire Service had the capability to deal with such events should they occur here. The programme was called New Dimension.
One of the areas identified through the programme was the need to provide an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) capability. To this end 20 USAR teams were set up in the UK.
USAR teams have the capability to carry specialist rescue operations from incidents that involve collapsed buildings, confined spaces and large scale transport incidents.
Wales has one of these teams.
Team Structure
The Welsh USAR team is made up of members from both Mid and West Wales and South Wales Fire and Rescue Services. The team is on call 24/7 365 days a year.
Team members are trained in specialist rescue skills to allow them to carry out their duties, these skills fall broadly into the following categories:
- Technical Search – This is the use of specialist cameras, listening equipment and search dogs to locate casualties in debris and rubble.
- Breaking and Breaching – This is the use of a wide variety of tools to cut into piles of debris/rubble to get to casualties. These tools include concrete cutters, chainsaws and hot cutting equipment for cutting metal.
- Shoring – This is the use of aluminium tempoery shoring equipment or timber to make structures safe for the team to enter a rescue casualties.
- Lifting and moving – This is the use of winches, pulleys as well as plant machinery to lift and move rubble and debris away from the scene.
The team are also trained in specialist confined space operations including access into tunnels and voids.
Search and Rescue Dogs
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service currently has two specialist search and rescue dogs. These dogs are trained to locate live casualties that may be trapped and then inform their handlers of the location.
The two dogs are:
Fflam – a seven year old border collie handled by Watch Manager Arwel Hughes
Sparky – a one year old Labrador/Collie cross handled by Crew Manager Roger Howells.
These dogs also assist the Police to search for missing persons in open areas etc.
Vehicles/Fleet
The USAR team is equipped with a suite of five modules which provide them with a vast array of equipment to cover every situation.
Outline details of the modules as follows:
Module 1
An enclosed unit based on a 20’ ISO container with rear and side opening doors. The module will provide USAR support in the early stages of an incident. Both sides can be opened via cantilever doors. The interior of the module will be fitted with racks and shelves in which the equipment will be stowed. The module will have a heating and ventilation capability.
- Scene assessment & safety
- Technical search
- Temporary shoring – metal
- Power generation & lighting
- Drills and concrete breakers
- Safe working at height
- Timber and timber cutting
- Hand tools
- Bolt and anchors
Module 2
An enclosed unit based on a 20’ ISO container with rear and side opening doors. The module will provide heavy rescue equipment required at a major transport incident. Both sides can be opened via cantilever doors. The interior of the module will be fitted with racks and shelves in which the equipment will be stowed. The module will have a heating and ventilation capability.
- Hot cutting
- Heavy hydraulic equipment
- Confined space working
- Rope access & rescue
- Timber chain saws
- Lifting & moving equipment
- Power generation & lighting
- Mechanics tools
- Bolts and anchors
Module 3
An enclosed unit based on a 20’ ISO container with rear and side opening doors. The module will provide heavy rescue support in the developing stages of an incident. Both sides can be opened via cantilever doors. The interior of the module will be fitted with racks and shelves in which the equipment will be stowed. The module will have a heating and ventilation capability.
- Timber shoring equipment
- Nailing equipment
- Bolts & anchors
- Power generation & lighting
- Large capacity air lift systems
- Fast cut saws
- Access & working platforms
- Hydraulic breaking & breaching
Module 4
An open unit based on a 20’ ISO container with fixed sides to a height of 1.2m. The module will be used to carry equipment, including a MPV and can also act as a tipper unit for the movement of debris. The rear of the module is a hinged gate allowing full width access to the module and the gate also incorporates a hinged flap for use when the module is operating as a tipper unit.
- Multi-Purpose Vehicle (Bobcat)
- MPV ancilliaries
- Power generation & lighting
- Portable shelters
Module 5
A flat-bed unit based on a 20’ ISO container. The module will be used to carry timber and equipment and incorporates a tilt-cover and a load securing mechanism.
- Timber stock including cribbing, wedges and bulk timber
Canine Transport
The dig handlers have MPV’s with rear compartments suitable for the transport of search and rescue dogs and associated equipment. The vehicles are fitted with the appropriate environmental controls, communications equipment and have a ‘blue-light’ capability.
Training
The USAR team trains together twice a month and they have the benefit of being able to train in a purpose built training facility which was funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. This was the first facility of its kind outside of the Fire Service College.
If you require any further information on USAR, please contact Richie Walters the USAR manager at r.walters@mawwfire.gov.uk
© Gwasanaeth Tân Ac Achub Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru | © Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service