National 

Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) 

 Response System 

 

 

RESCUE 

FIELD OPERATIONS GUIDE 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US&R-23-FG 

 

 

 



 

Structure Identification (Cont.) 

(Use arrow to designate 
best entry point) 

Basement 3 
Floor 3 
Floor 2 
Floor 1 
Basement 1 
Basement 2 
Ground Level 
Floor 3 
Floor 2 
Floor 1 
Basement 1 
Basement 2 
Ground Level 
C 
B D 
A 
Front 
C 
B 
A 
Front 
Floor ID 
Quad B Quad C 
Quad D 
Quad E 
Front 
Quad A 
Quad B 
D 
Side ID 
Quadrant ID
Quad C 
Quad D 
Quad E 
Front 

FEMA Structures/Hazards Marking 
.. 2x2ft (60x60cm) 
.. Structure relatively safe for 
US&R operations 
.. Structure significantly 
damaged 
.. Shoring/removal of 
hazards may be required 
.. Structure not safe for 
normal US&R operations 
.. Extensive safety measures 
must be taken before entry 
.. To right of box: 
.. Date 
.. Hazards 
.. Time 
.. TF ID 
28 JUN 03 
NATURAL GAS 
1432HRS 
NE-TF1 

Text Box: marking
FEMA Search Ass essment Marking 
.. Single slash upon entry 
into structure 
.. TF ID, date & entry time 
noted 
.. Indicates ongoing search 
.. Crossing slash upon exit 
.. Upon exit, date and time 
noted in top field 
.. Additional information 
placed in open areas of “X” 
.. Right - hazards 
.. Bottom - # of victims 
.. When new search 
completed, cross out 
previous, and complete 
new search assessment 
marking 
RATS 
18SEP00 
2130 
PA-TF1 
18SEP00 
1800 
8L 
3D 
RATS 
18SEP00 
2130 
PA-TF1 
18SEP00 
1800 
8L 
3D 
RATS 
18SEP00 
2130 
PA-TF1 
18SEP00 
1800 
8L 
3D 
PA-TF1 
18SEP00 
1800 

Text Box: FEMA Search Assessment Marking
RATS 
18SEP00 
2130 
PA-TF1 
18SEP00 
1800 
8L 
3D 
F 1- 4 
F 5 Q A/B 
or 
No Entry 
FEMA Search Assessment Marking 
Incomplete Search Marking 
.. When search terminated 
prior to completion: 
.. Place filled circle at 
center of slash 
.. Add date & time search 
terminated in top field 
.. Note hazards to right 
.. Note victims beneath 
.. Place box below slash, 
& Note areas searched 
.. Use “F” to ID floors 
searched 
.. Use “Q” to ID 
quadrants searched 
.. If only searched 
Exterior, as in Hurricane, 
write “No Entry” in box 

Text Box: V
V 
CA- TF2 
V 
CA- TF2 
FEMA Victim Location Marking 
..“V” indicates potential 
victim location 
.. Arrow may be used to 
pinpoint location, add 
distance on arrow. 
.. Line through “V” indicates 
confirmed deceased victim. 
If more than one, mark 
total number under V. 
.. Circle around “V” 
indicates confirmed live 
victim. If more than one, 
mark number under V. 
.. Cross out marking when 
victim is removed. 
V 
CA- TF2
5’ 
2 
2 
V 
CA- TF2 
2 V 
CA- TF2 
2 

 

 


Temporary “T” 
1 - Header 
1 - Sole plate 
1 - Post 
1 - Pair 2x4 wedges 
2 – Full-Gusset plates 
1 – Half-Gusset or Cleat 
.. Up to 11 ft (240cm) for 4x4 
.. Up to 16 ft (360cm) for 6x6 
.. 3 ft header (90cm) gets 
12x12 (30x30xcm) gusset 
plates 

Text Box: Double “T”
Double “T” 
1 - Header 
1 - Sole plate 
2 - Posts 
2 - Pair 2x4 wedges 
3 – Dbl-Gusset plates 12x24 
(30x60cm) 
2 – Half-Gussets or Cleats 
.. Up to 12 ft (240cm) for 4x4 
.. Up to 18 ft (360cm) for 6x6 
.. 3 ft header (90cm) 
.. Post Spacing is 18 to 24 
inches out to out 

Text Box: 1 
1 - Header 
1 - Sole plate 
3 - Posts 
3 - Pair 2x4 wedges 
5 – Half- Gussets 
2 – 2x6 Diagonals 
Mid point brace if 
needed, use 1x6 
or Ύ” x 6” ply strip 
.. Post spacing is 1ft per 1in of 
header depth on center (3-4ft 
or 90-120cm) 
.. Overhand of 1ft (30cm) 
.. Mid point brace needed for: 
.. 4x4 over 8ft (240cm) tall 
.. 6x6 over 12ft (360cm) tall 
Vertical