Team Leader Training
Search Competencies
Search theory, Notification, Activation,
Assignments, Demobilization Night and Water
searches and water
Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association
Search Theory
Factor
Rating
Score
Subject’s Age
Very young
Very old
Other
Search Urgency
1
1
2-3
Subject’s Medical Condition
Known or suspected injury, ill or mental illness
1-2
Healthy
3
Known fatality
3
Number of Subjects
One, alone
1
More than one (very young, very old)
1-2
More than one (unless separation is suspected)
2–3
Subject’s Experience
1
1–2
3
Weather Profile
Past and/or existing inclement weather
1
Predicted inclement weather (8 hours or less)
1-2
Predicted inclement weather (8 hours or more)
2
No inclement weather predicted
3
Equipment Profile
Inadequate for environment and weather
1
Questionable for environment and weather
1-2
Adequate for environment and weather
3
Terrain Profile
Difficult or know hazards
1
Moderate terrain/minimal hazards
1-2
Inexperienced – does not know area
Inexperienced – knows area
Experienced – knows area
*Consider elapsed time in response determination*
Factor
If any of the factors rate as a 1, regardless of total, the search requires the highest urgency.
8
Highest
Urgency
10
12
Response Decision
14
16
18
Intermediate
Urgency
20
Lowest
Urgency
Components of a Search
PrePlanning
Notification
Response
Tactics
Operations
Suspension
Evaluation
Concepts of Search - Review
POD
POA
PLS
LKP
IPP
Notification
Persons Questioned
Name
Contact Info
Relationship
to lost person
State of mind
Lost Person
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Name
PLS / LKP
Direction of Travel
Mode of Travel
Physical Description
Clothing / Footwear
Physical condition
State of Mind
Purpose
Number in Party
Activation, Check in, Initial Briefing
Activation, Check In, Initial Briefing
Call out
Info given
Assemble
Area
Signing In
Initial Briefing
Assignment
Prepare
Know your team
Know what equipment
and supplies required
Think about what you
need to carry out the
task
Delegate work and
roles to team
Keep track of the time
Study any maps
available
Communicate
Understand
assignment
ICS Form
204
Briefing
Checklist
SMEAC
Demobilization
Debriefing and Depart
Complete
paperwork
Debrief
team
Debrief
command
Return
equipment
Night Search
Pros and Cons
Subject may stop
Expand search time
Less noise, further
sound travels
Injury
Lost searchers
Control of personnel
Destruction of clues
Fear of dark
Night Vision
Equipment types
Pros and Cons
Depth perception
Night sign
Tunnel vision
Infrared vs light
intensification
Back up
Night vision (eyes)
Land Water interface Searching
Safety
Avoid entering water
Don’t go in deeper than
knees
If you don’t have PFD
you can operate around
water
Team Leader must
know when to stop team
and contact Command
When water is involved
a situation can get out of
control quickly
Urban Search
Tactics - Review
Door to door
Urban
confinement
Building search
Evidence search
Pros and Cons
Complex environment
Traffic, crowds, crime, high-rises, tunnels, dogs…
Different landscapes
Parking lots, alleys, rivers, culverts, warehouses,
highways, bridges…
Hazard rich / clue rich
Trespassing
Missing person (lost or not lost?)
Dementia/Autism
Mental illness
Substance Abuse
Despondent
Questions