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Factors that affect rescue time in urban search and rescue (USAR) operations

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Abstract

Recent structural collapses were studied in order to identify gaps in technology and to propose priorities in enhancing urban search and rescue (USAR) tools. The timelines of the events were examined with the scope of extracting critical factors that affect rescue time and can be used to define priorities in tools and technologies development, so that efficient and fast location, recovery and treatment of victims can be achieved. In this context, seven factors were identified: (1) best practices and lessons learned, (2) rescue technology, (3) community involvement, (4) information systems, (5) technology integration, (6) crisis management and (7) available budget. Each of these factors is reviewed, analyzed and discussed with the scope of providing future developments in tools and technology for USAR operations.

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Acknowledgments

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-13) under grant Agreement No. 217967; “SGL for USaR” project (Second Generation Locator for Urban Search and Rescue Operations—www.sgl-eu.org). The authors would like to thank Geert Seynaeve (ECOMED bvba, Belgium), Mike McCarthy (Fire Service College Moreton in Marsh, England), Claude Picard (Entente Pour la Foret Mediterranéenne/Centre d’Essais et de Recherche de l’Entente, France), Nelson Garcia Jacinto (Guarda Nacional Republicana, Portugal) and Raimo Rasijeff (South-Savo Regional Fire Service, Finland) for proving input and for constructive discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, 157 73, Athens, Greece

    M. Statheropoulos, A. Agapiou, G. C. Pallis, K. Mikedi, S. Karma & J. Vamvakari

  2. National School for Public Administration and Local Government, 211 Pireos Str., 177 78, Athens, Greece

    M. Dandoulaki

  3. IPSC, European Commission, Joint Research Centre, 21027, Ispra, VA, Italy

    F. Andritsos

  4. Department of Chemistry, Centre for Analytical Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK

    C. L. Paul Thomas

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  1. M. Statheropoulos
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  2. A. Agapiou
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  3. G. C. Pallis
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  4. K. Mikedi
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  5. S. Karma
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  7. M. Dandoulaki
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  8. F. Andritsos
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  9. C. L. Paul Thomas
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Correspondence to A. Agapiou.

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Statheropoulos, M., Agapiou, A., Pallis, G.C. et al. Factors that affect rescue time in urban search and rescue (USAR) operations. Nat Hazards 75, 57–69 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-014-1304-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-014-1304-3

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