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West Yorkshire USAR Exercise - Double Whammy
16th March 2009

Based on the aftermath of an explosion in a small block of flats. It involved Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from around the country, including West Yorkshire, West Midlands, Lincolnshire, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire Ambulance Service paramedics and Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), search dogs from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service and RAF Leconfield search and rescue helicopter.
The 36-hour exercise extended through the night at WYFRS headquarters, with crews working in conditions below freezing. It was organised to be as realistic as involved cars trapped beneath tonnes of rubble, a building that was in danger of collapse and a maze of rubble filled tunnels. The full range of USAR equipment and skills were used to locate and rescue around 20 live casualties trapped inside the collapsed building.
Thanks to Colin Brown, USAR blue watch team leader, Dave Rawnsley USAR Red watch team leader, Tim, Pete Owen and all members of the Yorkshire & Humberside USAR Team.

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First responding fire crews assist and remove casualties from the surface of the rubble pile.
First responding fire crews assist and remove casualties from the surface of the rubble pile.
 First responding fire crews assist and remove casualties from the surface of the rubble pile.
First responding fire crews assist and remove casualties from the surface of the rubble pile.
 First responding fire crews assist and remove casualties from the surface of the rubble pile.
First responding fire crews assist and remove casualties from the surface of the rubble pile.
 Casualties given treatment by Yorkshire Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedics.
Casualties given treatment by Yorkshire Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedics.
Casualties given treatment by Yorkshire Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedics.
Casualties given treatment by Yorkshire Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedics.
 Casualties given treatment by Yorkshire Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedics.
Casualties given treatment by Yorkshire Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedics.
 Casualties given treatment by Yorkshire Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedics.
Casualties given treatment by Yorkshire Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedics.
 West Midlands Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team are the first to arrive and are given an initial briefing.
West Midlands Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team are the first to arrive and are given an initial briefing.
Search & Rescue dog Rooney and handler Steve Hogg from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue USAR Team go to work on the pile.
Search & Rescue dog Rooney and handler Steve Hogg from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue USAR Team go to work on the pile.
 Search & Rescue dog Rooney and handler Steve Hogg from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue USAR Team go to work on the pile.
Search & Rescue dog Rooney and handler Steve Hogg from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue USAR Team go to work on the pile.
 Search and Rescue Dog Rooney working the rubble pile.
Search and Rescue Dog Rooney working the rubble pile.
 Rooney indicates a find to handler Steve Hogg.
Rooney indicates a find to handler Steve Hogg.
Rooney indicates a find to handler Steve Hogg.
Rooney indicates a find to handler Steve Hogg.
 And is given the reward of his favourite toy.
And is given the reward of his favourite toy.
 Steve Hogg again prepares Rooney to go back on the pile.
Steve Hogg again prepares Rooney to go back on the pile.
 Search and Rescue Dog Rooney working the rubble pile.
Search and Rescue Dog Rooney working the rubble pile.
Search and Rescue Dog Rooney working the rubble pile.
Search and Rescue Dog Rooney working the rubble pile.
 Search and Rescue Dog Rooney working the rubble pile.
Search and Rescue Dog Rooney working the rubble pile.
 Rooney indicates another find.
Rooney indicates another find.
 Rooney indicates another find.
Rooney indicates another find.
Rooney indicates another find.
Rooney indicates another find.
 And is again rewarded with his favourite toy.
And is again rewarded with his favourite toy.
 Paratech Gold in unloaded from the ToolCat.
Paratech Gold in unloaded from the ToolCat.
 The second Search & Rescue dog from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue USAR Team Holly is prepared by handler Neil Woodmansey to go onto the rubble pile.
The second Search & Rescue dog from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue USAR Team Holly is prepared by handler Neil Woodmansey to go onto the rubble pile.
Search & Rescue dog Holly working the rubble pile.
Search & Rescue dog Holly working the rubble pile.
 Search & Rescue dog Holly indicates a find to handler Neil Woodmansey.
Search & Rescue dog Holly indicates a find to handler Neil Woodmansey.
 And is rewarded with her favourite toy.
And is rewarded with her favourite toy.
 And is rewarded with her favourite toy.
And is rewarded with her favourite toy.
West Midlands USAR team assemble Paratech Gold Shores.
West Midlands USAR team assemble Paratech Gold Shores.
 Yorkshire Ambulance Service HART Team assemble their casualty clearing station.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service HART Team assemble their casualty clearing station.
 West Midlands USAR team assemble Paratech Gold Shores.
West Midlands USAR team assemble Paratech Gold Shores.
 West Midlands USAR team assemble Paratech Gold Shores.
West Midlands USAR team assemble Paratech Gold Shores.
Paratech Gold Raker Shores placed to stabalise the building.
Paratech Gold Raker Shores placed to stabalise the building.
 Paratech Gold Raker Shores placed to stabalise the building.
Paratech Gold Raker Shores placed to stabalise the building.
 West Midlands USAR Team Members check and set up the Delsar – a Seismic/Acoustic Listening Device for locating noises and vibration under the rubble pile.
West Midlands USAR Team Members check and set up the Delsar – a Seismic/Acoustic Listening Device for locating noises and vibration under the rubble pile.
 West Midlands USAR team assemble Paratech Gold Shores.
West Midlands USAR team assemble Paratech Gold Shores.
ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
 ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
 West Midlands USAR Team placing Paratech Flying Raker Shore at the front of the building.
West Midlands USAR Team placing Paratech Flying Raker Shore at the front of the building.
 West Midlands USAR Team placing Paratech Flying Raker Shore at the front of the building.
West Midlands USAR Team placing Paratech Flying Raker Shore at the front of the building.
ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
 ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
 ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
 ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
Toolcat unloading USAR Modules in the logistics sector.
Toolcat unloading USAR Modules in the logistics sector.
 Toolcat unloading USAR Modules in the logistics sector.
Toolcat unloading USAR Modules in the logistics sector.
 Toolcat unloading USAR Modules in the logistics sector.
Toolcat unloading USAR Modules in the logistics sector.
 ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
ToolCat used to deliver equipment into the inner cordon from the logistics area.
Timber cutting work station in use.
Timber cutting work station in use.
 Cribbing is built to support a fallen tree felled in the collapse.
Cribbing is built to support a fallen tree felled in the collapse.
 HART Team Paramedics attend to a USAR Team member who has suffered a heart attack (for exercise) whilst working at the scene.
HART Team Paramedics attend to a USAR Team member who has suffered a heart attack (for exercise) whilst working at the scene.
 HART Team Paramedics attend to a USAR Team member who has suffered a heart attack (for exercise) whilst working at the scene.
HART Team Paramedics attend to a USAR Team member who has suffered a heart attack (for exercise) whilst working at the scene.
Acoustic search of the rubble pile is made by use of Delsar equipment.
Acoustic search of the rubble pile is made by use of Delsar equipment.
 Acoustic search of the rubble pile is made by use of Delsar equipment.
Acoustic search of the rubble pile is made by use of Delsar equipment.
 HART Team Paramedics ans USAR Team Members remove the
HART Team Paramedics ans USAR Team Members remove the "casualty".
 HART Team Paramedics ans USAR Team Members remove the
HART Team Paramedics ans USAR Team Members remove the "casualty".
HART Team Paramedics ans USAR Team Members remove the
HART Team Paramedics ans USAR Team Members remove the "casualty".
 HART Team Paramedics ans USAR Team Members remove the
HART Team Paramedics ans USAR Team Members remove the "casualty".
 Casualty is safely delivered to the Casualty Clearing Station.
Casualty is safely delivered to the Casualty Clearing Station.
 Delsar senors are systematically moved around the rubble pile to detect and locate the position of any trapped casualties.
Delsar senors are systematically moved around the rubble pile to detect and locate the position of any trapped casualties.
Delsar operator listens to sounds from within the rubble pile.
Delsar operator listens to sounds from within the rubble pile.
 Delsar Sensors are placed on the rubble pile.
Delsar Sensors are placed on the rubble pile.
 Delsar team work the rubble pile; by shouting to the casualties and encouraging them to shout and make noise; their position can be established.
Delsar team work the rubble pile; by shouting to the casualties and encouraging them to shout and make noise; their position can be established.
 Delsar team work the rubble pile; by shouting to the casualties and encouraging them to shout and make noise; their position can be established.
Delsar team work the rubble pile; by shouting to the casualties and encouraging them to shout and make noise; their position can be established.
Removal of surface rubble begins.
Removal of surface rubble begins.
 Removal of surface rubble begins.
Removal of surface rubble begins.
 Temporary Equipment dump near to the rubble pile.
Temporary Equipment dump near to the rubble pile.
 Removal of surface rubble begins.
Removal of surface rubble begins.
Rebar Cutter and Angle Grinder in use to remove steel in the rubble pile.
Rebar Cutter and Angle Grinder in use to remove steel in the rubble pile.
 Rebar Cutter and Angle Grinder in use to remove steel in the rubble pile.
Rebar Cutter and Angle Grinder in use to remove steel in the rubble pile.
 Rebar Cutter and Angle Grinder in use to remove steel in the rubble pile.
Rebar Cutter and Angle Grinder in use to remove steel in the rubble pile.
 Rebar Cutter and Angle Grinder in use to remove steel in the rubble pile.
Rebar Cutter and Angle Grinder in use to remove steel in the rubble pile.
Rubble removal continues.
Rubble removal continues.
 SearchCam used to explore voids and spaces within the rubble pile.
SearchCam used to explore voids and spaces within the rubble pile.
 SearchCam used to explore voids and spaces within the rubble pile.
SearchCam used to explore voids and spaces within the rubble pile.
 Stihl chain saw used to cut up fallen tree.
Stihl chain saw used to cut up fallen tree.
Stihl chain saw used to cut up fallen tree.
Stihl chain saw used to cut up fallen tree.
 Stihl chain saw used to cut up fallen tree.
Stihl chain saw used to cut up fallen tree.
 Stihl chain saw used to cut up fallen tree.
Stihl chain saw used to cut up fallen tree.
 Hilti Coring drill in use.
Hilti Coring drill in use.
Operations to access casualties trapped within the rubble continue.
Operations to access casualties trapped within the rubble continue.
 SearchCam in use to explore voids and spaces within the rubble pile.
SearchCam in use to explore voids and spaces within the rubble pile.
 SearchCam in use to explore voids and spaces within the rubble pile.
SearchCam in use to explore voids and spaces within the rubble pile.
 Operations to access casualties trapped within the rubble continue.
Operations to access casualties trapped within the rubble continue.
Operations to access casualties trapped within the rubble continue.
Operations to access casualties trapped within the rubble continue.
 Search and Rescue Dog Rooney sent to work the rubble pile again.
Search and Rescue Dog Rooney sent to work the rubble pile again.
 Rooney indicates a find.
Rooney indicates a find.
 Rooney indicates a find.
Rooney indicates a find.
And is rewarded with his toy.
And is rewarded with his toy.
 Search & Rescue Dog Holly is prepared to search the rubble pile.
Search & Rescue Dog Holly is prepared to search the rubble pile.
 Search & Rescue Dog Holly is prepared to search the rubble pile.
Search & Rescue Dog Holly is prepared to search the rubble pile.
 Holly works the pile and indicates a find.
Holly works the pile and indicates a find.
Holly works the pile and indicates a find.
Holly works the pile and indicates a find.
 Holly works the pile and indicates a find.
Holly works the pile and indicates a find.
 Search & Rescue Dog Holly is rewarded with her favoutrite toy by her handler Neil Woodmansey after searching the pile.
Search & Rescue Dog Holly is rewarded with her favoutrite toy by her handler Neil Woodmansey after searching the pile.
 Search & Rescue Dog Holly is rewarded with her favoutrite toy by her handler Neil Woodmansey after searching the pile.
Search & Rescue Dog Holly is rewarded with her favoutrite toy by her handler Neil Woodmansey after searching the pile.
Search & Rescue Dog Holly is rewarded with her favoutrite toy by her handler Neil Woodmansey after searching the pile.
Search & Rescue Dog Holly is rewarded with her favoutrite toy by her handler Neil Woodmansey after searching the pile.
 Petrogen hot cutting set is prepared for use.
Petrogen hot cutting set is prepared for use.
 Yorkshrie HART paramedics using SearchCam.
Yorkshrie HART paramedics using SearchCam.
 Lobo Platform is used to ease access to the top of the rubble pile.
Lobo Platform is used to ease access to the top of the rubble pile.
Operations to access casualties trapped within the rubble continue.
Operations to access casualties trapped within the rubble continue.
 Yorkshire Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) vehicles and casualkty treatment area.
Yorkshire Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) vehicles and casualkty treatment area.
 Strops placed on a steel beam prior to removal.
Strops placed on a steel beam prior to removal.
 Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
 Petrogen oxy-fuel hot cutting set used to cut steel beam.
Petrogen oxy-fuel hot cutting set used to cut steel beam.
 Petrogen oxy-fuel hot cutting set used to cut steel beam.
Petrogen oxy-fuel hot cutting set used to cut steel beam.
 Hilti chain saw in use.
Hilti chain saw in use.
Petrogen oxy-fuel hot cutting set used to cut steel beam.
Petrogen oxy-fuel hot cutting set used to cut steel beam.
 Petrogen oxy-fuel hot cutting set used to cut steel beam.
Petrogen oxy-fuel hot cutting set used to cut steel beam.
 Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
 Petrogen oxy-fuel hot cutting set used to cut steel beam.
Petrogen oxy-fuel hot cutting set used to cut steel beam.
Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
 Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
 Coring concrete slab on top of rubble pile.
Coring concrete slab on top of rubble pile.
 Coring concrete slab on top of rubble pile.
Coring concrete slab on top of rubble pile.
Snake Eye camera in use examing void inside of buidling before making entry.
Snake Eye camera in use examing void inside of buidling before making entry.
 Snake Eye camera in use examing void inside of buidling before making entry.
Snake Eye camera in use examing void inside of buidling before making entry.
 Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
 Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
Construction equipment from the site is used to stabalise and remove steel beam.
 
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