Dose anyone know of a site to go to as to what the meaning of the writing in the Four sections of houses searched with an X on the doors?
The X on the door after a disaster signifies that a search was completed of the home. The top part of the X signifies the date and time the search was completed, the left side is the agency/SR team doing the search, bottom of the X indicates number of victims and their need for Triage (Delayed, Immediate, Dead) so you'd see something like I - 3 and D - 1 or Dead - 2, and the right side of the X indicates action(s) taken in the search, such as gas turned off, etc. An X with a square around it indicates to the search and rescue team that that location has been found extremely dangerous (essentially a Do Not Enter sign). That help?
yes, I actually knew that. I'm trained in urban search and rescue and part of my local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team).
It is, especially if you're faced with something like a disaster and you know what to look for. But it can get kind of depressing. Seeing the Katrina pictures of the Ninth Ward was a good lesson in how to recognize those signs, but not exactly uplifting when I finally understood what some of the symbols and letters meant.
With so much going on nowadays and Hurricane season about to start ramping up I thought it just one of those important things to know. I heard something that if you see an X on the door with a Square around it that it means DO NOT ENTER. Is that true? EDIT: Sorry You mentioned that in your post. I didn't read all the way through before posting this. My Bad Sorry.
i am not a huge fan of CERT's that we have here. the program is not bad, i endorse more information and citizens better equipped for a situation. But i will say one thing- it's a damn fine blessing to have Bubba dead lift close to 300lbs so you can dig someone out after a tornado. seen enough folks wander up in their boxers and start helping, that i wish they would take the extra step and go through CERT training. instead we got weekend heroes. at least down here we do. the X's are an intelligent idea- clever as all hell.
It's okay. Definitely don't enter any building that has that symbol, most S&R teams won't either unless they have specialized training. If you can, see if your local Sheriff's Office (or really any governmental entity in your area that may offer it, it's FEMA-funded; in my area the SOs offer the classes) offers CERT training. It's free, and very helpful, especially if you live in an area where hurricanes or other natural disasters are a common occurrence and even if you just want to prepare your family if something bad happens, natural disaster or not. I'm trained because I figured it would be good for my law enforcement career, but it's also very helpful for the common citizen; the majority of my CERT class were ordinary citizens who just wanted to know what to do in case a disaster happened and how to protect their families. I definitely recommend it.
Yeah, CERTs differ from state to state I've noticed, and it really depends on the agency that offers the classes as well. In Colorado we have some very decent CERT training and teams that do regular drills and training, but in other states it could certainly be very different. I love the program, and I really have enjoyed the training and info my local team has given me, but you're right, it does depend. And so true, I really wish more citizens would get that training. Even if it's not the best, it's better that they have some idea what they're doing instead of Joe Schmoe thinking he can help move a critically injured person with no training on how to actually do so. Weekend heroes... man, don't even get me started. *twitches*
it's funny how many people miss this question: at a scene, who is the first priority? A.) the victim/patient B) You C.) bystanders if you answered B, you are right. that's the thing i want anyone in CERT or Fire/EMS to remember. Scene safety. you can help all day long, but be careful and look out for yourself so that you can help. it isn't all about rushing in. (besides, i am a grumpy bastard on scene and saving your sorry butt makes my day worse, lol.) that's what i really want stressed with any of the training.
