STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE


Lost Person Search
1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this guideline is to establish a safe and effective approach to looking for a person or persons that may be lost or incapacitated in an unknown specific location but probable general area.
1.1.1 This guideline applies to searches in structures, urban areas, suburban areas and wilderness areas.
1.1.2 This guideline does not apply to structure fire related searches.
1.1.3 This guideline does not apply to subjects that are believed to be significantly dangerous to searchers.
1.5 It shall be a goal of this organization to provide, by way of training, tactics and equipment, optimum rescuer safety and the best possible chance for prompt recovery of non-dangerous subjects that are lost or incapacitated in an unknown specific location.

2. Response:
2.1 This organization shall provide our dispatching facility with a "run card" that dictates the initial tone out procedure and mutual aid information for lost person incidents.
2.2 This organization shall inform other relevant agencies of our intent and ability to immediately manage and preform safe and effective searches for specific lost or incapacitated persons that fall within the purpose of this guideline.
2.3 The Incident Commander (IC) shall request additional resources at the earliest indication of possible need.
2.4 A manual containing useful material for lost person searches shall be compiled and maintain. Copies of this manual shall be kept in the Command Car, first due engine and FD library.
2.4.1 This manual shall include specific resources including, but not limited to, contact information for other agencies, military units, aircraft, ground search and rescue teams and search dog teams.
2.4.1 This manual shall contain information relative to conducting interviews, establishing search urgency and establishing probability of area.
2.4.2 This manual shall contain any additional information that this organization deems appropriate.

3. Search Operations, Preliminary:
3.1 Incident Command shall immediately be established and utilized. (SOG O-2)
3.2 The IC shall immediately evaluate the situation and advise others of the preliminary methods to be utilized.
3.2.1 Initial evaluation shall include the IC or his designee discussing the situation with the reporting party and the appropriate police personnel.
3.2.2 The IC shall decide if the situation shall be treated as an emergency.
3.2.2.1 Typical non emergency situations may include "run away" and similar behavior problems with otherwise healthy teenager and adult subjects.
3.2.2.2 If it is deemed to be an emergency, time is of the essence.
3.2.2.3 If it is not deemed to be an emergency FD activity should be terminated.
3.2.3 Tactical preference should generally, but not necessarily, be in the order of interview, search most obvious areas, hasty searches, trail dog searches, air dog searches, FLIR searches, line searches and underwater searches.
3.2.4 Combinations of tactics should be utilized simultaneously. All resources shall function in a coordinated manner under the direction of the IC.
3.2.5 The IC shall instruct appropriate personnel to continuously conduct interviews and other police style investigative activities until the subject is accounted for.
3.2.6 A knowledgeable person with direct access to the IC shall be assigned to stay with the subjects family, friends or associates until the subject is accounted for.

4. Search Operations, Extended
4.1 Search operations that exceed three hours duration shall be considered to be an extended operation.
4.2 A command post (CP) should be established in a secure and hospitable location.
4.2.1 The command post should provide privacy from press, family, friends, associates and searchers.
4.2.2 The CP should have electricity, telephone service, basic office supplies and bathroom.
4.3 Level 2 Personnel Accountability System shall be employed. The system shall be expanded to account for all involved personnel, regardless of affiliation. (SOG S-1-8)
4.4 All search teams should be given written subject descriptions, written instructions and identical maps.
4.4.1 Each search teams map should be properly marked to indicate assigned search areas, team identification and assigned radio frequency or channel.

4.5 Each search team shall include at least two persons, one two way radio, one whistle per person, one large plastic trash bag, tarp or space blanket per person, food and water for each person, one light per person ( if operating with in three hours of dusk), proper bright colored clothing and basic first aid supplies.
4.6 All personnel shall be limited to twelve continuous hours of participation in any capacity. They shall then be replaced and ordered to obtain rest for twelve hours prior to additional searching or or other activity.
4.7 All personnel shall be aware of possible physical clues, evidence, inconsistencies and crime scenes. These situations shall not be disturbed or otherwise compromised any more than is absolutely required to save a life.

Tom Richardson, 10-97

Please copy, change as needed and use.