Rescue Teams Research Articles

Employing Transfer Learning in Land-use Land-cover for Risk Management

Abstract. In disaster management, land-use land-cover (LULC) maps are vital for real-time situational awareness and coordinated responses. These maps aid in coordinating field operations, guiding rescue teams, and identifying high vulnerability areas. They ensure accurate spatial information sharing and management during disaster response efforts. Deep transfer learning models have emerged as powerful tools for LULC classification, addressing challenges like insufficient training data and complex classification tasks. In this research instead of building networks from scratch, pre-trained networks that used EuroSAT benchmark dataset are employed. Several deep learning models including 1-layer CNN, 4-layers CNN, VGG16 and an improved ResNet-50 network as proposed method are considered and compared in this study. The results were analyzed in both quantitative and qualitative ways. In the quantitative mode, the measurement criteria such as Overall Accuracy (OA), F1Score, Precision and Recall were calculated, and in the qualitative mode, the class diagram was drawn in the feature space to check the separability of the classes. Finally, the results show high overall accuracy score of 95.9% indicating the high potential of our proposed network for ResNet-50. The proposed method has resolved insufficient training dataset by implementing data augmentation that it can be solved the problem of lack dataset.

A Semantic Augmented Approach to FEMA P-58 based Dynamic Regional Seismic Loss Estimation Application

Regional seismic loss estimation (RSLE) is a crucial process in both immediate post-earthquake emergency response and long-term reconstruction endeavors. Over the years, significant progress has been made in RSLE: sensing approaches such as field investigation and remote sensing offers a comprehensive overview necessary for real-time disaster response, while simulation techniques such as the methodology proposed in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) P-58 series provide insights into the mechanism of disaster development and its potential long-term impacts on urban assets. Nonetheless, challenges persist in the realm of practical RSLE applications. Firstly, a dynamic understanding of a disaster event and its influence is deemed important for effective emergency responses while challenging to achieve in current approaches. Secondly, stakeholders with varying roles, including administrators, rescue teams and ordinary citizens have distinct information requirements for RSLE. Thirdly, the complexity of seismic loss estimation, involving diverse data sources such as building information models, performance models, fragility data and sensor observations, poses interoperability issue. To tackle these issues, this article introduces a dynamic, multi-granularity, ontological representation scheme tailored for RSLE decision-supporting systems. This scheme operates across various scales, from individual building components to broader regional scales by synergistically employing FEMA P-58 guidelines and Semantic Web technologies. Upon the corresponding semantics, a question-and-answer agent powered by large language model is further developed to facilitate interaction requirements within the RSLE process via FEMA P-58 pipeline. The practical efficacy of this approach is validated through a prototype deployed under a real earthquake event, demonstrating its value in real-world scenarios.

Analysis of Safety Distances in Fire Explosions at Indoor Tank Storage Facilities Containing Flammable Liquids in Neighborhood Living Facilities

This study analyzed the minimum safe distance required for rescue activities in a flammable liquid fire explosion in an indoor tank storage facility within a neighborhood living facility. The safe distance was derived using guidelines, accident data, and simulations of accident cases. The considered chemicals were acetone, which was used as the refined oil, and N-dodecane, which was used as the diesel. The Busan bathhouse fire explosion in 2023 was selected as the accident case. The results indicated that the safe distance in the guidelines was 50 m, and the safe distance for accident cases considering only thermal radiation was 30 m. The simulation results showed that the radiation heat and overpressure of refined oil were in the ranges of 17~52 m and 26~129 m, respectively, whereas the radiation heat of diesel oil was in the range of 19~47 m. Hence, it is reasonable to apply a minimum safety distance of 50 m, as set by the fire brigade, upon the initial arrival of a flammable liquid leak accident. To provide relief activities for a chemical rescue team arriving in the middle of an accident, it is necessary to create and provide data that can be used to set appropriate safety distances based on the characteristics of the material and environment.

Trauma patients in the practice of medical rescue teams in Poland

Quick and effective access to professional medical assistance in emergencies has become a key element of the modern healthcare system. Emergency medical services play a vital role in immediate response to medical emergencies, in particular traumatic injury. According to estimates, emergency medical services delivered to trauma patients account for 10-20% of all services provided by paramedic units in Poland. An analysis of paramedic services delivered to trauma patients will make a significant contribution to the effectiveness and optimization of emergency medical services. The aim of this study was to analyze the emergency medical services delivered by paramedic units to trauma patients in the voivodeship of Warmia and Mazury over a period of three years. The study involved a retrospective analysis of statistical data for the above voivodeship. The patients were classified according to the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) [1]. Most trauma patients were assigned ICD-10 codes S (injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes) and T (injuries involving multiple body regions) categories. Results: The diagnoses made by physicians, paramedics, and emergency nurses in patient care reports were the source of data for the retrospective analysis. A total of 400,251 cases (n= 400,251) were analyzed and 11,329 cases were selected (n=11,329), including 1130 patients (n=1130) who were assigned code S and 10,199 patients (n=10,199) who were assigned to code T. The examined database is administered by the Governor of the Voivodeship of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn [2]. The following types of information were analyzed: area of intervention, the patients’ age and sex, type of medical emergency, location, date, and alcohol breath odor. The collected data were analyzed to determine the presence of relationships between: a life-threatening medical emergency and the patient’s age, a life-threatening medical emergency and the patient’s sex, the patient’s age and the diagnosis made by paramedics, alcohol breath odor and the patient’s sex, and the patient’s sex and the diagnosis made by paramedics. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that the risk of a life-threatening medical emergency is higher in younger patients and decreases gradually in older patients. The above risk is somewhat higher in men than in women. The percentage of patients assigned code S (injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes) increases with age. Alcohol breath odor is more frequently detected in patients residing in areas with a population above 10,000 than in patients residing in small towns and rural areas. The patient’s sex is not significantly correlated with the type of medical emergency, and the prevalence of the diagnosed medical emergencies tends to be similar in both sexes.

Assessment of readiness of auxiliary mine rescue teams in coal mines

Assessment of readiness of auxiliary mine rescue teams in coal mines

A speech-based convolutional neural network for human body posture classification

Abstract Problem In recent years, computing and sensing advances have helped to develop efficient human posture classification systems, which assist in creating health systems that contribute to enhancing elder’s and disable’s life quality in context-aware and ambient assistive living applications. Other applications of body posture classification include the simulation of human bodies into virtual characters, security applications such as kidnapping and the body position of the kidnapper or victim, which can provide useful information to the negotiator or the rescue team, and other sports applications. Aim This work aims to propose a body posture classification system based on speech using deep learning techniques. Methods All samples pass through the preprocessing phase. The Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) with 12 coefficients was used as features, and the best features were selected by the correlation-based feature selection method. Two supervised learning techniques called artificial hydrocarbon networks (AHN) and convolutional neural networks (CNN) were deployed to efficiently classify body postures and movements. This research aims to detect six human positions through speech, which include walking downstairs, sitting, walking upstairs, running, laying, and walking. The dataset used in this work was prepared by the authors, named the human activity speech dataset. Results The best performance gained was with the AHN classifier of 68.9% accuracy and 67.1% accuracy with the CNN. Conclusion It was concluded that the MFCC features are the most powerful features in body position classification, and the deep learning methods are powerful in classifying body positions.

A Numerical Evaluation for Estimating the Consequences on Users and Rescue Teams Due to the Fire of an Electric Bus in a Road Tunnel

A Numerical Evaluation for Estimating the Consequences on Users and Rescue Teams Due to the Fire of an Electric Bus in a Road Tunnel

Trauma Compendium: Management of the Entrapped Patient – a position statement and resource document of NAEMSP

ABSTRACT Entrapped patients may be simply entombed or experiencing crush injury or entanglement. Patients with trauma who are entrapped are at higher risk of significant injury than patients not entrapped. Limited access and prolonged scene times further complicate patient management. Although patient entrapment is a significant focus of specialty teams, such as urban search & rescue (US&R) teams that operate as local, regional, and/or national resources in response to complex scenes and disaster scenarios, entrapment is a regular occurrence in routine EMS response. Therefore, all EMS clinicians must have the training and skills to manage entrapped patients and to support medically-directed rescue throughout the extrication process. NAEMSP recommends: EMS clinicians must perform a timely and thorough primary and secondary assessment and reassessments in parallel with dynamic extrication planning; the environment may require adaption of standard assessment techniques and devices. EMS clinicians should establish early, clear, and ongoing communications with rescue personnel to ensure a coordinated patient-centered medically directed approach to extrication. Communication with the patient should be frequent, clear, and reassuring. EMS clinicians should immediately take measures to effectively prevent and manage hypothermia. EMS clinicians should recognize airway management in the entrapped patient is always challenging. When required, advanced airway placement should be performed by the most experienced operator with proficiency in multiple modalities and alternative techniques in limited access situations. In entrapped patients who are experiencing or are at risk for crush syndrome, EMS clinicians should initiate large-volume (i.e., 1-1.5 liters/hour for adults and 20 milliliters/kilogram/hour for pediatric patients for the initial 3-4 hours) fluid resuscitation with crystalloid, preferably normal saline, as early as possible and prior to extrication. In entrapped patients who are experiencing or are at risk for crush syndrome, EMS clinicians should administer medications to mitigate risks of hyperkalemia, infection, and renal failure, early and prior to extrication. Tourniquet application should be considered in the setting of the crushed extremity as a potential adjunct to medical optimization before extrication of some patients. Patients with prolonged entrapment with the potential for severe injuries require complex resuscitation and may benefit from EMS physician management on scene. EMS systems should consider an early EMS physician response to entrapped patients.

Biomechanical analysis of spinal misalignment during Vehicular extrication maneuvers performed by professional rescue teams

ObjectiveTo compare spinal misalignment and execution time of 3 rescue maneuvers for casualties in traffic accidents. Materials and methodsBiomechanical analysis using inertial sensors to measure the range of spinal misalignment and execution time of 3 maneuvers: 1) standard manual rescue (SMR); 2) rapid extrication device (RED); 3) extrication device (ED). The sample consisted of 117 rescue professionals (firefighters) from 14 Autonomous Communities in Spain. The total range of motion and the execution time of maneuvers were compared using ANOVA. ResultsThe highest range of cervical flexion-extension movement was recorded with RED (30° ± 9°). There were no statistically significant differences between SMR (21° ± 9°) and ED (21° ± 10°). In dorsal flexion-extension, the highest range of movement was with RED (36° ± 10°), followed by ED (30° ± 7°), with the lowest found for SMR (26° ± 11°). RED presented the least restriction of cervical (p < 0.001) and dorsal movement (p < 0.001). The quickest maneuver was SMR (average of 55″), followed by RED (average of 92″), with a considerable difference using ED (average of 225″) (p < 0.001). ConclusionThe standard manual rescue maneuver (SMR) generated the smallest range of spinal movement and also required the shortest execution time.

A seismic-risk-based bi-objective stochastic optimization framework for the pre-disaster allocation of earthquake search and rescue units

Accurately predicting earthquakes' time, location and size is nearly impossible with today’s technology. Severe earthquakes require prompt and effective mobilization of available resources, as the speed of intervention has a direct impact on the number of people rescued alive. This, in turn, calls for a strategic pre-disaster allocation of search and rescue (SAR) units, both teams and equipment, to make the deployment of resources as quick and equitable as possible. In this paper, a seismic risk-based framework is introduced that takes into account distance-based contingencies between cities. This framework is then integrated into a mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) problem for the allocation of SAR units under uncertainty. The two minimization objectives considered are the expected maximum deployment time of different SAR units and the expected mean absolute deviation of the fulfillment rates. We recover the best vulnerability-adjusted routes for each size-location scenario as input to the optimization model using the dynamic programming (DP) approach as part of the broader area of reinforcement learning (RL). The results of the hypothetical example indicate that the comprehensive model is feasible in various risk scenarios and can be used to make allocation-deployment decisions under uncertainty. The results of the sensitivity analysis verify that the model behaves reasonably against changes in selected parameters, namely the number of allowed facilities and weights of individual objectives. Under the assumption that the two objectives are equally important, the model achieves a total deviation of %3.5 from the objectives with an expected maximum dispatch time of 1.1327 hours and an expected mean absolute deviation of 0.01.

Neuroglycopaenia as the first manifestation of MEN1 syndrome

Insulinoma is a neuroendocrine tumour of islet cells and a rare cause of hypoglycaemia in both adults and the paediatric population, with an incidence is 1–4 cases/million/year. Insulinoma may occur as an isolated tumour or as a component of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 1. In the case presented below, a 15-year-old female patient with no significant medical history was brought to the emergency department by a medical rescue team, exhibiting symptoms of neuroglycopaenia for several hours. After excluding more common causes of hypoglycaemia, insulinoma was suspected. Given the patient’s very young age at onset and a significant family history, laboratory and imaging diagnostics were performed for multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 1. Once more common causes have been ruled out, insulinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypoglycaemia. If the diagnosis of insulinoma is confirmed, the possibility of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 1 should be considered.

Avalanche Survival Rates in Switzerland, 1981-2020.

Survival probability among individuals critically buried by avalanche is highly time dependent, which was demonstrated 30 years ago. However, it remains unclear whether avalanche survival probability has changed over time. To assess the avalanche survival rate and probability as well as the rescue probability over the past 4 decades. In this cohort study, avalanche data from Switzerland that were collected by the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) in Davos were analyzed from the winter beginning in 1981 to that beginning in 2020 and compared with data from the period 1981 to 1990. Data were analyzed from January to April 2024. Critical avalanche burial (ie, burial involving the head and chest). Survival rate among individuals critically buried by avalanche, survival probability, and rescue probability in relation to time buried under the avalanche. The study included 1643 individuals critically buried by avalanche (mean [SD] age, 37 [13.7] years; 1090 of 1342 with known sex [81.2%] were male) among 3805 avalanches involving 7059 persons. Compared with the period from 1981 to 1990, the total survival rate over the full study period increased from 43.5% (95% CI, 38.8%-48.3%) to 53.4% (95% CI, 51.0%-55.8%). Survival probability remained high at 91% (95% CI, 80%-100%) for rescue during the first 10 minutes but then decreased to 31% (95% CI, 11%-51%) for rescue between 10 and 30 minutes. The survival rate among those buried long term (>130 minutes) increased from 2.6% (95% CI, 0.7%-6.9%) to 7.3% (95% CI, 4.8%-10.7%). The median rescue time decreased from 45 (IQR, 15-148) minutes to 25 (IQR, 10-85) minutes. Survival rates among individuals rescued from avalanche by organized rescue teams increased from 14.0% (28 of 200) to 22.9% (161 of 704). This cohort study of 1643 individuals critically buried by avalanche found that over the past 4 decades, total survival rates considerably increased and rescue times decreased. Survival rates among those buried long term (>130 minutes) also increased. These findings are likely attributable to collaborative efforts among stakeholders to enhance avalanche search-and-rescue techniques and medical interventions.

Emergency safe havens

This paper describes how to find or create protective shelter in disaster zones. Federal Urban Search &amp; Rescue (US&amp;R) teams pre-stage directly in the path of on-coming hurricanes and floods, and these forward-positioned teams must seek out buildings and rooms that can survive these events. Safe havens are also needed for those civilians who can’t be evacuated, including the disabled and critically ill. Safe havens are also important in the aftermath of a disaster. Critical work continues for days or weeks at disaster zones, at places where buildings and infrastructure are severely damaged, and where hazards persist. Protected spaces are needed for ongoing humanitarian and medical care for survivors. Rescuers, law enforcement, and medical personnel also need safe interior spaces to eat and rehab. US&amp;R teams and other first responders also seek out safe havens inside the “red zone”, the areas of intense damage and hazards where first responders must operate during rescue, fire-fighting, or HazMat mitigation. The authors describe how safe havens can be rapidly identified or created in disaster zones. This aspect of protective structures is of growing importance as the world population becomes more vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters.

Exploring Posturbanism in Annalee Newitz’s The Terraformers

Annalee Newitz’s The Terraformers (2023) explores the endeavors of the Environmental Rescue Team (ERT), which consists of diverse humans, uplifted animals, engineered organisms, bots, drones, and AI, and how they strive to construct a sustainable planet, Sask-E, and cities amid Verdance – a Capitalocenic corporate power that shapes the dynamics between humans, nature, and life. Drawing on the concept of the Capitalocene and Donna Haraway’s theories of the Chthulucene, sympoiesis, making kin, and staying with the trouble, this article discusses the significance of multispecies actors and intelligences in urban-making, while also emphasizing the necessity of acknowledging the complexities and uncertainties of this process. Further inspired by the insights of recent urban scholarship, such as smart and AI urbanisms, the article discusses the essential role of technology, engineering, AI, and machine in building democratic cities. By examining the efforts and collaborations between these multifaceted characters, the novel challenges market-driven anthropocentric notions of urbanism and envisions a future where multispecies communities use technology and great care to build equitable and viable posturban landscapes.

The Outcome of Walking Cold Patients with Potential Mild Hypothermia to Safety-A Mountain Rescue Case Series.

Some experts recommend that ambulant hypothermic patients should be rewarmed, fed, and not permitted to exercise for 30 min because of concerns that afterdrop can cause cardiac instability. We investigated the outcome of ambulant hypothermic patients in a case series from mountain rescue teams in Great Britain. A questionnaire was used to collect information on a series of adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of mild hypothermia. All patients were alert on the AVPU scale and evacuated by walking from the mountain. The outcome measures were survival or a change in management because of medical deterioration during evacuation. A series of 108 eligible cases were reported over a 5-year period. When rescuers arrived on the scene, 98 (91%) patients were stationary, and 10 (9%) were still mobile. Thirty-eight (39%) of the stationary cases were walked immediately off the mountain without any on-scene delay. In the remaining 60 (61%) stationary cases, the decision was taken to delay evacuation to provide food, drinks, and additional clothing. In 3 cases, the use of heat packs indicated an intention to actively rewarm. In cases where the on-scene time was reported, 27 (79%) were known to be mobile again within 20 min. All patients survived, and no adverse medical events occurred in all 108 cases. In this study, no adverse events occurred because of immediate mobilization, suggesting that in these cases, there appears to be minimal risk of early activity.

Training IoT Development for Enhancing Search and Rescue Tracking and Educational Tools

The Internet of Things (IoT) Development Training at Universidade Oriental Timor Lorosa’e aims to address challenges in tracking search and rescue teams and enhance educational tools. This training is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of IoT technology and its applications in operational and educational contexts. The methods used include theoretical sessions, hands-on practice, and project evaluation. The evaluation results show a significant increase in participants' knowledge levels: understanding of IoT concepts increased from 40% to 85%, knowledge of IoT applications rose from 35% to 80%, the ability to use IoT devices improved from 30% to 75%, and skills in developing IoT systems advanced from 25% to 70%. The success of this training reflects the positive impact of IoT technology in enhancing participants' skills, potentially bringing long-term benefits to both fields discussed at Universidade Oriental Timor Lorosa’e.

Determining the effect of environmental factors, work postures and mental workload on musculoskeletal disorders in rescue workers and accidents of one of the water and sewage companies in Iran.

Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most important problems faced by ergonomists today. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of weather conditions, working conditions and mental workload on musculoskeletal disorders of rescuers and water and sewage company accidents in hot and cold seasons. The present study was a longitudinal study that was performed on all employees of rescue and disaster teams of Shiraz Water and Sewerage Company in Iran (184 people) by census. Demographic and Nordic questionnaires, NASA Load Index (NASA-TLX), work environment assessment with temperature screening checklist and workplace ergonomic risk factor (WERA) assessment method were performed by the researcher. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 software and parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. The results showed that the highest and lowest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders related to knee and back in winter and thigh in summer with prevalence of 57.1, 55.4 and 6%. The comparison of exposure to heat stress factors in summer and winter seasons showed that the temperature factors and work clothes of the workers in both seasons are in worse conditions than other factors (P < 0968). The results of the mental workload of people in two seasons showed that the highest and lowest mental workload is related to physical changes in the winter season and frustration in the summer season, and this relationship was significant (P < 0.001). Using multiple logistic regression model, the potential risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries including age, height, BMI, level of education and work experience in both hot and cold seasons were compared. The results showed that in summer, work experience (OR = 1.16 (1.06-1.28.)) and height (OR = 1.03(0.98-1.08) had a direct effect on the prevalence of pain and discomfort arranged in the back areas. One year of increase in work experience significantly increases the chance of a disorder in the back by 16% and a one centimeter increase in height increases the chance of a disorder in the lumbar region by 3%, although this relationship is significant. It is recommended that suitable solutions such as using appropriate and up-to-date mechanical tools, reducing activity time, increasing rest time, increasing the number of personnel in order to reduce mental workload, using work clothes suitable for the season and type of work, and ergonomics training for workers are on the agenda of company officials. Water and sewage should be placed.

Navigating Unexpected Events: Way-Shaping by Search and Rescue Teams After the Earthquake in Turkey

Navigating Unexpected Events: Way-Shaping by Search and Rescue Teams After the Earthquake in Turkey

The Methodology of Assessment of Mine Rescue Teams by Fatigue Criterion

The Methodology of Assessment of Mine Rescue Teams by Fatigue Criterion

Cosmopolitan solidarity in crises: Volunteer translation as a prosocial collective action

When a crisis happens, the affected region is very often culturally and linguistically diverse, with complex linguistic maps which are further complicated by the linguistic diversity of the rescue and humanitarian responders. Lesser-used languages often have fewer resources for provision of professional translators. Thus, the speakers of these languages depend on autonomous and civic solidarity (Agustín &amp; Jørgensen, 2019), including support in translation and interpreting. For example, during the recent earthquake in Türkiye language support was provided by volunteer translators serving many national rescue teams and relief aid workers. In addition, during the 2015 refugee crises in Europe citizen groups used cultural activities to show solidarity. This article examines the act of translation as a prosocial activity that shows solidarity with the victims in crisis situations. It raises awareness about the linguistic challenges faced by communities in crisis situations and identifies strategies to overcome these challenges using volunteer translation. By narrating individual translator motivations, it identifies solidarity as a form of advocacy and empowerment, while showing empathy towards the crisis-affected people.