Organizing Rescue Workers and Emergency Responders: What is the organizational structure for the response to these events? Although these catastrophic events may initially be quite chaotic, eventually site management will be under a unified command such as the recognized Incident Command Structure. Local responders and rescuers will obviously respond first with the State requesting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance if warranted. A trained Structures Specialist from Urban Search and Rescue will be responsible for: Evaluating the immediate structural condition of the area to be entered during rescue operations. Determining the appropriate type and amount of structural hazard mitigation in order to minimize risks on site to rescue personnel. What safety and health resources are available during a collapsed structure response? Once the Incident Command System is established at a collapsed structure, the Incident Commander maintains accountability for all response personnel at the scene. A Safety Officer may also be mobilized and report directly to the Incident Commander. The Safety Officer is responsible for monitoring and assessing the safety aspects of the responders during the collapsed structure event. The Safety Officer’s responsibilities may include: Overseeing all safety and health aspects of response personnel Assuring that optimal safety and injury prevention is practiced Investigating and documenting all response team injuries and illnesses Preparing and maintaining entry permits Ensuring that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is used Developing and implementing daily health and safety plans which address (1) sanitation, (2) hygiene, (3) PPE, (4) Decontamination, (5) work/rest cycles, (6) acute medical care, etc. Interviewing off-going shifts to assess developing hazards Assessing risk for the identified hazards; and Training in hazard awareness and use of PPE Assessing structural instabilities. What hazards may be encountered when entering a collapsed structure? The following hazards should be considered in order to protect rescue workers and emergency responders when preparing to enter a collapsed structure: (a) Water system breaks that may flood basement areas; (b) Exposure to pathogens from sanitary sewer system breaks; (c) Exposed and energized electrical wiring; (d) Exposure to airborne smoke and dust (asbestos, silica, etc.); (e) Exposure to bloodborne pathogens; (f) Exposure to hazardous materials (ammonia, battery acid, leaking fuel, etc.); (g) Natural gas leaks creating flammable and toxic environment; (h) Structural instability; (i) Insufficient oxygen; (j) Confined spaces; (k) Slip, trip or fall hazards from holes, protruding rebar, etc; (l) Being struck by a falling object; (m) Fire; (n) Proximity to heavy machinery such as cranes; (o) Sharp objects such as glass and debris; (p) Secondary collapse from aftershock, vibration and explosions; (q) Unfamiliar surroundings; (r) Adverse weather conditions; (s) Noise from equipment (generators/heavy machines). See more from topic source: https://www.osha.gov/html/a-z-index.html