- Author
- U.S. Fire Administration
- Title
- Protective Clothing and Equipment Needs of Emergency Responders for Urban Search and Research Missions.
- Coporate
- U.S. Fire Administration, Washington, DC
- Report
- FA 136, September 1993, 172 p.
- Keywords
- protective clothing | energencies | rescue | diving environments
- Identifiers
- Urban Search And Rescue (USAR); Emergency Responder User Requirements Technical Assistance Committee (ERURC); swift water rescue ensemble requirements; contaminated water diving ensemble requirements
- Abstract
- This report documents the protective clothing and equipment needs for emergency responders engaged in urban search and rescue activities. Urban search and rescue has been defined as those areas of emergency rescue activities not undertaken as part of other traditionally defined response efforts such as fire fighting, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical services. Examples of urban search and rescue incidents include building collapses, trench cave-ins, victim extrication from vehicles, flooding, and contaminated water diving. These incidents pose a variety of hazards which are primarily physical in nature, but may include incidental fire contact, chemical exposure, prolonged exposure to adverse weather, contact with biological contaminants, and drowning. Due to the specialized nature of these emergency response missions, specific clothing and equipment are necessary to satisfy a minimum level of protection while allowing the responder to properly complete his or her assigned tasks.