The Number One Rule of Rescue is safety of the Rescuer.

Obviously you do not want to be a SAR responder that then needs rescuing so a

• System of safety
• Self rescue and
• Back up goes into place

when you deploy on any SAR Mission so that we can get the affected person out to safety - while keeping the responders / rescuers safe and well.

Things you can do to keep safe

Everything from

• Wearing your PPE to
• being fit for the role and
• training regulary
• Working in pairs or groups (not alone)
• Telling others wear you are going
• Communicating hazards
• Keeping protected from the elements and hazards
• Keeping fed, rehydrated and rested etc
• Not taking frivolous risk or chances
• Not 'freelancing' off on your own etc

are things you can do to ensure you keep yourself safe.

And remember that as a SAR Team member you can decline a duty that you are not comfortable with or feel is unsafe.

Safe Person Concept

Organisations will protect the health, safety and welfare of people at work by providing and maintaining:

• (a) A team of competent personnel
• (b) A safe working environment.
• (c) Safe working equipment.
• (d) Safe systems of work.

Any intervention to resolve an emergency incident can involve working in an environment that is constantly changing and is inherently dangerous. People who are competent will be able to function effectively and safely in such environments and occupational competence is rightly regarded as the most effective control measure that is available to the service.

To maintain the effectiveness of people in dynamic and hazardous environments, the organization needs to ensure that they are as safe as possible. It does this by applying what is known as the “Safe Person Concept”. This concept covers both organisational and personal responsibility.

Safe Systems of Work

Operational procedures and practices are designed to promote safe operating systems (safe systems of work). To minimise the risk of injury, Incident / Sector Commanders must ensure that recognised safe systems of work are being used so far as is reasonable and practicable.

Where possible, operational crews should work together in teams, and whenever practicable, the teams should be made up of people who are familiar with each other and have trained together.

When necessary, safety briefings must be carried out and, as the incident develops, or where the risks of injury increase, those briefings must be more precise and appropriate precautions deployed.

Organizational Responsibility

At organisational level ERT SAR has a responsibility to provide the support necessary to ensure that personnel are able to remain safe in a hazardous environment.

This will include:

• (a) Personnel Selection.
• (b) Information.
• (c) Personal Protective Equipment.
• (d) Equipment.
• (e) Systems of Work.
• (f) Instruction.
• (g) Training and Development.
• (h) Supervision.

Personal Responsibility

Each individual must have the ability to make professional judgements about the appropriate use of available resources, in order to control the risks inherent in the unique circumstances of any emergency situation. Therefore, every operational ERT SAR Team Member must be:

• (a) Competent to perform tasks assigned.
• (b) An effective member of a team.
• (c) Self-disciplined to work within accepted systems of work.
• (d) Adaptable to changing circumstances.
• (e) Vigilant for their own and others safety.
• (f) Able to recognise their own abilities and limitations.

Safety Responsibilities of Personnel at Incidents

(a) All personnel on the incident ground MUST wear the personal protective equipment that has been provided.

(b) The Incident Commander, having considered the health and safety of all personnel, and having taken all reasonable and practicable steps to minimise risks, may vary this standard.

(c) All personnel must be trained in the procedures to be used at operational incidents, and must be alert to the ever-changing environment at the scene of operations and the consequences of exposure to hazardous substances.

(d) All personnel must be certain that they clearly understand the tasks that they are required to perform and must follow the instructions of the officer responsible for their area of work.

Safety Officer

Where a safety officer is appointed he/she should:

• Liaise with the Incident / Sector Commander, who will define your responsibilities, e.g. entire incident; sector or specific task.

• Unless otherwise instructed communicate with the relevant Sector Commander “face to face” or on the designated radio channel appropriate to the sector.

• Safety Officers are advisors to the Sector Commander in respect of all safety issues within or affecting the sector.

• Where an unsafe practice is identified, it should be corrected and, where necessary, the Sector Commander must be notified.

• Safety Officers should not get involved with operational / tactical activities, or interfere with the Sector Commanders operational plan.

• If necessary liaise with the Sector Commander to request additional safety officer(s)

• At the close of the incident, or upon being relieved, liaise with the Sector

Commander to discuss observed unsafe or incorrect practices in order to identify possible training needs.

Summary of the Safety Function

• (a) Identify safety issues.
• (b) Initiate corrective action.
• (c) Maintain safe systems of work.
• (d) Ensure appropriate P.P.E. being worn by personnel.
• (e) Observe the environment.
• (f) Monitor the physical condition of personnel.
• (g) Regularly review.
• (h) Effective communications – regular updates Sector/Safety Officers.

Dynamic Risk Assessment

A key function of the Incident Commander is dynamic management of risk on the incident ground. This is the continuous process of identifying hazards, assessing risk, taking action to eliminate or reduce risk, monitoring and reviewing, in the rapidly changing circumstances of an operational incident.

“Dynamic Risk Assessment” is a process of risk assessment carried out in a changing environment, where what is being assessed is developing as the process itself is being undertaken. This is further complicated by the fact that the Incident Commander is often faced with the need to perform rescues, protect exposures and place stop-jets before a complete appreciation of all material facts has been obtained.

It is imperative; therefore, that an effective risk assessment is carried out at the scene of operations, and that this is reviewed and updated as quickly as practicable. It is important that the outcome of a risk assessment is recorded and entered into the incident log for later retrieval and analysis, such as would be achieved by transmission over the main scheme radio of the Tactical mode.

While the dynamic management of risk is continuous throughout the incident, the focus of operational activity will change as the incident develops and it is useful to consider the process in three separate stages:

• (a) The Initial Stage of Incident
• (b) The Development Stage of Incident
• (c) The Closing Stage of Incident

Remember, the number one rule of rescue is safety of the rescuers so think ahead, plan for self rescue and dont take frivolous risks.

Protocol: LCES

The acronym LCES is a mnemonic we use to remind rescuers to establish a ‘self-rescue’ protocol in the ‘hot-zone’ (no pun intended!)

It is relevant for GSAR when in a hazardous area - but especially relevant for technical rescue such as Fires or USAR / Collapsed Structures.

L = LOOKOUT

Safety Officers tasked with watch and assessing the hazards and risks. May require two or more and may require one or more to be mobile or roaming “Lookouts.”

C = COMMUICATION

Ensure everyone knows ‘the signals’ and use a combination such as radios, handsignals, banners, whistle blows, etc. to communicate to each other.

E = ESCAPE ROUTE/S

Establish more than one escape route and consider its use in dark conditions, under pressure, with changing environment etc.

S = SAFETY ZONES

Establish a safety zone (or two) where rescues can take cover.

Figure 187 LCES diagram. Source: Paul Gleason (North Roosevelt fire management officer, USDA Forest Service, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, Redfeather Ranger District, Fort Collins, CO.)

Remember ultimately the Firefighters Creed:

"We take measured risk to safe a life

We take no risk to safe the lost of property"