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USAR : Support Functions

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Support functions

Experience at both incidents and exercises has demonstrated that an 11 strong USAR team can be rapidly committed to any working incident.  This is partly due to the numerous logistical support jobs that are needed to get tasks carried out quickly and safely.

Several team members are needed to move and unload vehicles, set up equipment and equipment dumps, transport tools, maintain communications, carry out risk assessments, etc.

HFRS has developed a system where two specific stations can respond with crews trained in these support areas which means that USAR technicians can concentrate on their primary roles.  A trial of this system proved highly successful and training for the two selected retained stations (Bishops Waltham and Rushmoor) began in 2009.

Bishops Waltham took a logistics role, centered at the base of operations, making sure equipment is available, maintained, logged in and out, kept operational and re-housed ready for use again.  Crews were also trained as drivers so they can move and unload the modules and drive the Multi Purpose Vehicle.  Rushmoor Fire Station provides a specific command support role.

Crews have one of Hampshire’s trained command support pumps and they will receive further training to allow them to modify those skills to specifically support USAR incidents.