[MSAR] Home Land Security

Ian Vowles Ian at modric.net
Thu Mar 25 18:18:34 EST 2004


Jorene wrote
 
snip
  " Are any team members trained higher than basic First Aid? Wouldn't
it be nice if the SAR/MSAR EMT wasn't assigned to traffic control during
a disaster with multiple injured overwhelming local medical resources? "
 
Not sure what happens in California but in my experience either training
or real life ~~ our EMT's no matter what other groups they belong to
immediately offer their EMT skills in a potential MCI - never heard of
EMT's doing traffic duty whilst subjects needed help !!!!  I suspect
doing so and ignoring people in medical need would be considered
negligence in our state, even as a first responder although not legally
bound as an EMT, ethically I am compelled to assist.
 
The forgoing makes me wonder if you expect firefighters who happen to
arrive as SAR members to watch the forest burn down ? !!
 
Another issue; CERT ~
 
snip 
 " What is the local potential during a SAR for finding the subject
somehow trapped? (Just inside a mine, landslide, old structure
collapsed, etc.) Does the SAR / MSAR team have training to safely
extract that person? Basic CERT training would provide those skills.  "
 
It seems the CERT program is providing much more in training and
certification than I was previously aware - I am VERY concerned that
programs which provide minimal education at best are suggested to be a
qualification for "lay" people ( which is what CERT is ) to attempt
rescues that may be beyond their capabilities or equipment - collapsed
structures are not the places for amateurs to be playing .!  Ditto mines
or landslides - YES CERT will give them a basic understanding of safety
issues but lets keep it in perspective .
 
Fortunately most SAR teams are educated and know vastly more about
emergencies than citizens who have a smattering of civil defense !
Apart from anything else if a CERT person finds and begins extracting a
person from the collapsed structure  you have the danger to them of
further collapse but also the danger of moving the subject without
trained medical help and presumably equipment.
 
My understanding - and I am willing to be corrected - is CERT is a 20
hour course to educate citizens how to assist in the event of a disaster
in their locale - urban/suburban  , it is a tiny course in comparison to
training SAR volunteers undertake and study no matter where they
practice, the implication that emergency management will require CERT
qualification  before considering a SAR team is I think ridiculous !
 
Quote from FEMA " The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program
helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency
situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members
can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate
assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster
site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help
improve the safety of the community."
 
I am all in favor of CERT but not the way Jorene wishes to imply their
superior skills over SAR teams - I beg to differ.
 
Now your CERT qualified person directing traffic to free up the EMT -
that would make sense :-)
 
Ian
 
 
Ian Vowles
Colorado Mounted Rescue
 
SARTECH II, III , Evaluator, 
Licensed Instructor ISAR FUNSAR, Examiner/Coordinator SARTECH II + III.
First Responder / Wilderness First Aid
Wildland Firefighter qualified - not active !
Fema ICS qualified etc.
Colorado Mounted Ranger. 

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