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First Responder

Basic SAR Training

May 2011

Module 2: Search Operations

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Module Objective

Upon completion of this module, participants will understand disaster search operations including geo-referencing, search definitions and search markings.

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Enabling Objectives

Understand and utilize the U.S. National Grid as a geo-referencing system for land SAR responders
Understand and utilize search strategies and definitions necessary in SAR operations
Understand and utilize standardized disaster SAR marking systems

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Unit 1

U.S. National Grid

(USNG)

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Terminal Objective

Upon completion of this unit, participants will be able to understand and utilize the U.S. National Grid as a point reference system to identify locations and document required information.

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Enabling Objectives

Successful participants will understand;

Importance of a single point reference system for all land SAR responders
U.S. National Grid as a geo-referencing system for land SAR responders
How to identify specific locations on a map
How to report and document required point reference locations

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“The USNG is intended to create a more interoperable environment … by establishing a preferred nationally-consistent grid reference system.”

CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (CISAR) ADDENDUM

to the National Search and Rescue Manual

Version 1.1 (August 2008)

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CISAR Addendum & the USNG

AHJ may determine which geographic reference system will be used
Selected geographic reference system should be listed in the Incident Communications Plan (Form ICS 205)

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National SAR Committee�CISAR Geo-referencing Matrix

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US National Grid Coordinate

What does the USNG Coordinate look like?

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GridZone

100k square

Easting (right)

Northing

(up)

Meters between 0-99,999

USNG Coordinate - Complete

14R NQ 82100 09500

Pre-Designated

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Grid Zone Designation (GZD)

14R NQ 82100 09500

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100,000 Meter Square (regional area)

14R NQ 82100 09500

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USNG Accuracy

Accuracy is determined by amount of precision in coordinate (Easting and Northing)
Coordinate values represent a point position (southwest corner of grid square)

4 digits: 82 09 Identifies a point within a 1,000m square

(approx: 250 acres or 100 city blocks)

6 digits: 821 095 Identifies a point within a 100m square

(approx: football field)

8 digits: 8212 0952 Identifies a point within a 10m square

(approx: parking spot)- grid reader needed

10 digits: 82125 09525 Identifies a point within a 1m square

(approx: manhole cover)- GPS needed

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USNG Coordinate Communication

The USNG coordinate identifies both:

Point Position: intersection of coordinate (most common)
Area: grid square NE of point position

Users determine the required precision
The USNG coordinate can by truncated, i.e.:

“821 095” instead of “82100 09500“

GPS devices require full coordinate string

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Read RIGHT (Easting) → then UP (Northing) ↑

14R NQ 82100 09500

1,000 meter accuracy

(4 digits)

This point identifies the USNG coordinate

Grid square (1000m x 1000m), up and right of coordinate

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Read RIGHT (Easting) → then UP (Northing) ↑

14R NQ 82100 09500

100 meter accuracy (6 digits)

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Read RIGHT (Easting) → then UP (Northing) ↑

14R NQ 82100 09500

10 meter accuracy (8 digits)

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USNG in Disaster Response

Can be used to assign areas of responsibility without defined boundaries

tasking to ‘search proximity’ around coordinate

Coordinate point position can define:

Survivor location
Base of Operations
Address of significance
Landing Zone (LZ)
Survivor Collection Point
Hazards
Vehicle location
Other?

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right

What is the major feature at grid coordinate 13 09?

4 digits (2x2): 1,000m accuracy
Grid Square is approx. ½ mile in length or approx. 250 acres
GPS would report this coordinate as 16R BU 13000 09000

Mississippi River

13 09

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Could 125 098 be used as a potential Landing Zone (LZ)?

6 digits (3x3): 100m accuracy
Grid Square is approx. length of football field
Leading zero is needed (GPS would report this as 16R BU12500 09800)

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Would you require a Hazmat check before searching grid coordinates 145 099?

6 digits (3x3): 100m accuracy
Grid Square is approx. length of football field
GPS would report this coordinate as 16R BU 14500 09900

Tulane University Research Laboratories

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What is the 6 digit grid coordinate for Channel Light 18?

6 digits (3x3): 100m accuracy
Grid Square is approx. length of football field
GPS would report this coordinate as 16R BU 13500 09800

135 098

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What is the 6 digit grid coordinate for the water tank?

6 digits (3x3): 100m accuracy
Grid Square is approx. length of football field
GPS would report this coordinate as 16R BU 12500 10800

125 108

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Is there potentially shelter available 360 meters to the Southeast of the water tank?
What is the coordinate for that location?

What would a GPS report for this coordinate?

1000 meters

128 106

16R BU 12800 10600

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Summary

Multiple SAR agencies used a variety of geo-referencing systems during Hurricane Katrina, causing confusion.
USNG geo-referencing scheme is to be used when a Catastrophic Incident is declared as outlined in the National Response Framework (January, 2008).
Additional information and training concerning the USNG can be found online. http://www.fgdc.gov/usng

First Responder Basic SAR Training