Recently, the Wales Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team held a training exercise at Swansea Docks, with the kind support of Associated British Ports.
The training exercise simulated a large explosion involving an unknown number of people and affecting several buildings across a wide area.
During the exercise, the Wales USAR Team was the first asset to arrive at the scene. USAR Tactical Advisors were then deployed to manage and deploy various assets around the Swansea Docks area to assess the situation, treat simulated casualties, structurally monitor building and prioritise tasks for the USAR capability. The Wales USAR Search and Rescue Dog, Cooper, was also deployed to search buildings and open areas, locating people and highlighting areas the USAR Team to focus on.
The aim of the exercise was to test Assessment Search and Rescue (ASR) ASR Level 1 and ASR Level 2 procedures and familiarise the technicians with the processes a USAR Technician needed to follow for these different levels. Rapid clearance marking system was implemented. The technicians were deployed around the scene and delivered a short brief to USAR officers on the present hazards, safe areas, go/no-go areas, access points, significant findings relating to structure stability, identification of body parts and recommendations on how to preserve evidence.
