Should family members and neighbors try to search damaged buildings for survivors?
Only rescue personnel, such as police and firefighters, are adequately trained to undertake search and rescue. However, disasters in other communities have demonstrated that many people want to help out in an emergency and some will go to extreme lengths to locate survivors. In Vancouver, emergency services will respond to hospitals and other care facilities before they are available to help neighborhoods. As a consequence, the Vancouver Emergency Management Agency is training individuals and neighborhood representatives in light search and rescue, first aid and how to use a fire extinguisher. St. John Ambulance and some community agencies also provide first aid and survival training. Having some search and rescue training will help ease your concern about handling emergency situations. Keep in mind that, even with this training, rescuing survivors is a potentially dangerous and difficult task. Be aware that if you choose to attempt a search and rescue by entering a damaged building or
