Part 1 appeared in the June 2000 issue.
It takes constant effort to ensure that fire and rescue professionals are familiar with the dynamics of postearthquake structural collapse operations as well as the use of survivability profiles to determine where live, viable victims are likely to be found and to determine when it is appropriate to end search and rescue operations. It requires a major commitment for fire departments and other response agencies to ensure their members are prepared to stabilize damaged buildings, tunnel into hidden void spaces, lift heavy debris, coordinate the actions of convergent responders, and extract the injured. It also takes a certain mindset to admit that local resources may become overwhelmed by a major earthquake and to PLAN for the timely request and effective use of mutual aid from other jurisdictions (and even from other states and nations), which begs the following questions:
If you are a current subscriber,login hereto access this content.
If you would like to become a subscriber, please visit ushere.
