Special Urban Disaster Search Hazards

Hazards in the US&R environment come in many forms. Chemical, electrical, physical and other hazards may be encountered.

To assess a search area for hazards, a hazard must be anticipated as a possibility and it must be recognized when present. Once recognized, some form of response must be given.

Scene size-up begins as the site is approached and continues as new areas are accessed. One of the purposes of reconnoitering the search site is to assess for hazards.

The dog handler will often use the hazard report of their team members. With that information, the dog handler will determine what additional information they need for their assigned area. The dog handler then will confirm the search area. Most usually, the dog will be placed in a down/stay in a safe area while the handler continues their assessment. It would be unusual to send the dog to search an area that the handler and other humans have not at least looked at. Most likely, people will have previously searched the area.

On rare occasions, a dog may be sent into areas inaccessible to the handler. Or the dog may access an area not recognized by the other members of the search team. This is a significantly risky endeavor for the dog and should be done only when there is no other option and the area is a significant search area. Careful assessment of the canine when it emerges from this type of area is important.

Addressing the "Dark" Hazard

As the handler assesses the search area, one of the hazards to be noted is darkness.

Since a hazard will only be addressed if it is anticipated, the handler needs to consider the availability of light as a search area is assessed. Might the handler or dog need to go into an area where there is no light? Or, might the work period continue from daylight into night periods in an area that no longer has street or building lights?

A prudent handler will anticipate the possibility of darkness.

A hazard needs to be recognized as such. Neither a person nor a dog can see if there is no light. If the possibility of trip, fall or other hazards exist; they cannot be avoided without light.

A recognized and identified hazard needs to be addressed in some way.

The simplest way to address a hazard is to avoid it. When the dog handler identifies that an area that needs to be searched does not have enough light for safe movement, the handler will stop until they can get their flashlight or other light source.

Before moving into a dark area, the handler and other search personnel need to have personal illumination so that they can be identified in the dark environment. This is most easily and safely achieved by attaching light sticks to the people working the areas. The non-toxic light sticks may be broken to activate and then punctured so as to spread the somewhat oily and sticky material to the tops of the dog's heads, backs and tails. Do not rub the material into the coat; rubbing will diffuse the material and it will not last as long or show as brightly. The light stick fluid needs to be reapplied to the dogs hourly.

If the handler and other personnel have determined that the dark area is safe to search, modest illumination may be all that is needed to facilitate the dog doing an efficient and safe search.

If the area is determined to have hazards in it, extra attention to mitigating the hazard of darkness needs to be applied.

Air currents in buildings can mislead a dog in a darkened environment into thinking that they are at a wall when they have not really gotten the entire area searched.

Dark areas can be mitigated using one or more of these techniques.

• Fully illuminating the area
• Placing light sources in key areas
• Putting light sticks on edges and hazards
• Illuminating void areas
• Correct the hazard in the area to be searched…cover sharp edges, cover void openings

By anticipating, recognizing and mitigating the hazard of darkness, canine search teams can avoid unnecessary risk and do a better job of searching.

Addressing the Water Hazard in the Urban Disaster

The Urban Disaster setting can include water as a special hazard.

The water must be verified to be free of electrical current. In addition to documenting locked/tagged out power, checking with a hot stick is prudent.

The depth of water must be determined. Probing with a pole will give and idea of the depth of the flooded area and identify any potential voids (i.e. sump areas in basements) before a dog enters the water. Lighting the entire flooded section will identify visible hazards.

The water must be checked for a current that could overcome the dog. Placing a light object like a packing peanut, a piece of paper or flagging tape on the surface will make any current readily apparent.

There is always the possibility of chemical, sewage or body fluid/material contamination. Again, lighting the area may help identify this type of hazard.

Thorough examination and cleaning of the dog to prevent them from licking materials from their coat is mandatory.