Strategic Objectives of the national USAR Project

• The strategic objectives of the New Dimension USAR Project are as follows:
• To enhance the capability of the fire and rescue service to respond to and manage three simultaneous and large-scale structural collapse incidents. To enable the fire and rescue service to respond and deal with a wider range of incidents with enhanced safety.
• To provide a tiered structure of response to incidents.
• To provide equipment and procedural guidance provided relevant to each level of response. To define the requirements of skills, knowledge and understanding at each level of response.

In order to meet these strategic objectives and assist delivery of the USAR Capability, a number of ‘key enablers’ have been identified:

• USAR tasks and activities will be identified and accompanied with relevant and detailed risk assessments.
• A personal development programme will support the acquisition, application and maintenance of skills, knowledge and understanding.
• A robust management structure will exist to ensure the continued development of the search and rescue capability within England and Wales.
• Appropriate arrangements will be in place to ensure that information and intelligence that supports operations are established.
• Welfare arrangements will be in place.

Personnel

The USAR's primary role will be to respond to a range of major incidents and provide specialist/technical knowledge and skills; however they may also be utilised for assessment, preparation, and prevention purposes.

USAR teams will consist of:

• 16 whole time USAR Technicians.
• 14 on call USAR Technicians.
• 1-2 Search and Rescue Canines.

USAR personnel must be prepared to commit to the following:

• Minimum 3 years appointment as a USAR Technician.
• The requirement to attend such incidents for extended periods beyond traditional duty periods.
• The requirement to attend incidents anywhere in the UK.
• The requirement to work on an incident ground for periods up to 12 hours.
• The requirement to perform routine work in other Fire and Rescue Service areas.

What New Equipment is carried on the USAR vehicles?

The new USAR equipment supplied to the fire and rescue service is carried within five specially designed modules and is intended for demanding and sustained use and includes:

• Technical search cameras
• Listening devices and communication probes
• Cutting, drilling and breaking equipment
• Timber cutting work stations
• Propping and shoring equipment
• Lighting and power generation
• Hand tools
• Heavy capacity air bags

What training and training facilities have been provided?

To support this new capability, the New Dimension Project initially sent over 400 UK firefighters to attend the 'Disaster City' collapsed structure course in Texas in the United States. The specially designed centre enabled students to practice rescue techniques in a safe, realistic environment, and provided them with an enhanced range of specialist skills. The Texas training formed the foundation of courses now provided at the Fire Service College. These have been fully funded by the government and include the ongoing development of procedures and training packages, as well as the building of local training rigs to provide all levels of USAR training from 'hands on' frontline response, to senior Gold and Silver command in a multi-agency scenario. A dedicated building provides a year-round tool skills training area. Custom built USAR training rigs and simulated collapsed structures funded by New Dimension at the Fire Service College provides scenario-based training.