Team Preparedness

Of all the technical rescue disciplines, it can be argued that Urban Search and Rescue requires the greatest of resources, yet sees the least operational “action”. Preparedness, therefore, is a serious concern for any US&R team. Personal knowledge and skills must be kept sharp and the ever-growing equipment cache must be kept well maintained. Ohio Task Force One has several means for overcoming these challenges.

The knowledge and skills necessary to perform US&R work are vast, but are attributes that can naturally wane over time. Team members must, therefore, constantly train their minds and bodies for the austere building collapse environment. Individual Task Force teams meet bi-monthly, monthly, or even semi-monthly for specialized trainings. In addition, teams often schedule cross-training opportunities to explore ways in which they can work in better conjunction. Annually, the entire team is mobilized for a mock collapse rescue incident. This operation, named a DEPEX (Deployment Exercise), has typically been held at various sites within the state of Ohio. Many times, the DEPEX directly involves damaged structures slated for demolition. You can read more about one of our previous exercises in the following article. read more

OH-TF1 facilitates its commitment to preparedness with a 6-acre training center in Dayton, Ohio. These grounds include a 6,000 square foot training building with equipment bay and state-of-the-art classroom. Hands-on training is conducted within the site’s multiple debris piles and training props. Two large concrete rubble piles with buried vehicles and an extensive tunnel system offer proficiency in breaching and breaking heavy construction. A wooden debris field is provided for team member proficiency in a post-hurricane search environment. Also located on the grounds is a training prop affectionately called the “Fun House”. This concrete tunnel simulates work deep within a large collapse site and presents various challenges to the participants who attempt to work their way through it. A very important component of the Task Force is its K9 unit. These teams require countless hours of work between the canine and the handler. An extensive agility course has been dedicated at the grounds for this specialized training.

In addition to personnel readiness, there is a never-ending list of equipment maintenance that must be performed. Gasoline-powered tools must be flushed of old fluids, and vehicles must be fueled and ready to roll out the door at a moment’s notice. Sensitive hazardous materials equipment must be calibrated and battery-operated instruments and communications gear must be kept continuously charged. These duties are split between team members during scheduled trainings and the dedicated warehouse staff.