Urban Search & Rescue (USAR)

Equipping First Responders for Complex Urban Emergencies

Overview

Training Objectives

Urban disasters such as earthquakes, building collapses, and explosions demand specialized response skills, teamwork, and precision.
The Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) program by BREDO Pakistan trains responders to locate, extricate, and provide immediate assistance to victims trapped under collapsed structures or confined spaces.

This program adheres to the INSARAG Guidelines (United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group) and is aligned with the operational frameworks used by UN–OCHA, NDMA, and Rescue 1122.
Our mission is to strengthen Pakistan’s local response capacity and align community-level teams with international disaster-response standards.

By completing this program, participants will be able to:

Conduct systematic search and rescue operations in collapsed or confined environments
Understand and apply building assessment and hazard identification
Use mechanical and manual tools for cutting, lifting, and breaching
Establish safety zones and manage rescue logistics
Perform victim triage and first aid on site
Coordinate with local emergency and command systems
Operate within international humanitarian coordination frameworks (INSARAG / UNDAC)

Modules & Structure

Module	Topics Covered	Format
Module 1	Introduction to USAR & Disaster Typology	Lecture + Case Study
Module 2	Safety, Risk Assessment & Team Organization	Simulation Exercise
Module 3	Building Structures & Collapse Patterns	Technical Demonstration
Module 4	Search Operations: Equipment & Canine Coordination	Field Practice
Module 5	Rescue Operations: Lifting, Cutting & Breaching	Practical Hands-on
Module 6	Victim Stabilization & Evacuation	Medical Drill
Module 7	Communication, Command & Control	Tabletop Scenario
Module 8	Field Simulation & Evaluation	Full-Scale Exercise

Duration: 5 Days (40 hours total)
Format: Hybrid — 30% classroom + 70% field training
Language: English & Urdu
Venue: BREDO Rescue Training Facility / Partner Sites
Participants: 25 per batch

Who Should Attend

Rescue service professionals and emergency responders
Civil defense teams & firefighters
NGO humanitarian and disaster management staff
Local government and municipal officers
Engineering, architecture, or construction safety teams
University students or volunteers in disaster-risk studies

Prerequisites:
Basic knowledge of first aid or participation in any BREDO rescue or safety program is preferred but not mandatory.

Training Methodology

This course uses a scenario–based approach combining technical instruction, teamwork drills, and full-scale field simulations.
Participants operate in controlled environments resembling real disaster sites, including rubble piles, confined spaces, and structural debris, to practice systematic victim location, safe extraction, and medical response.

Instruction includes:

Use of rescue tools (cutters, spreaders, jacks, and ropes)
Mapping and marking systems for search grids
Team coordination and radio communication
Integration with emergency operation centers (EOCs)

Trainer Profile

Lead Instructor: Engr. Nadeem Raza – USAR Operations Commander
A certified INSARAG Team Leader with 15+ years of field experience, Nadeem has led multiple international deployments and national disaster response missions.
He specializes in structural collapse rescue, emergency logistics, and humanitarian coordination.

Certification

Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a USAR Level-1 Certification from BREDO Pakistan, accredited in line with INSARAG guidelines and recognized by local disaster management authorities.
Advanced Level-2 and refresher courses are also available annually for professional responders.