GPSAR Digital News for November / December 1998

On November 28, 1998, Mary Ralston of "Written In Stone" presented beautiful custom memorials to Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue members in remembrance of three animal partners that we lost during a two month period in 1998. Equine "Lucky" partnered with Captain Carol Zollers, Equine "Noble" partnered with Sheila Crouthamel and Canine "Fritz" partnered with Tom Mower, were presented with these special memorials. The beautifully donated memorials may also be viewed on the GPSAR Web Site (in the near future) by clicking on the eternal "Memorial Flame" on the main page. For those interested in purchase or general information on this special service by Written In Stone, you may contact the Chief directly for informaiton at: (215) 663-1535 or by e-mail at: sdbx48a@prodigy.com

After months of talks and planning, Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue and the corporate giant of the pet industry, "PetSmart" have secured an agreement in which PetSmart will be a "Supporter" of GPSAR. GPSAR will circulate through the tri-state area to PetSmart locations to educate and inform the public about search and rescue. Further, GPSAR’s Canine Unit will receive additional support by PetSmart through their Authority Feeding Program. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank PetSmart for "Working Together, So Others May Live."

On July 11, 1998, August 22, 1998 and December 12, 1998, in addition to our four legged canine members, the following Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue personnel assisted at different PetSmart locations for educational and display purposes: Chief Labov, Assistant Chief Wallace, Captain Hopkins, Captain Zollers, Lieutenant Hinkley, Sergeant Marshman and members Corrigan, Gopaul, Park, Sonntag and Carol Wallace.

Greater Philadelphia search and rescue has undertaken another fund raising effort in order to further our department and the free search and rescue services that we offer to public safety agencies, the public and of course, the victims that we search for. Additionally, we now have an Explorer Post (an extension of the Boy Scouts of America) that we are supplying with equipment and uniforms as well as educating children on how not to get lost and what to do if they do.

Our department is selling "Rosie’s Butterkin’s," gourmet butter cookies voted by Philadelphia Magazine "Best of Philly". They are also the Blue Ribbon Winner & Best of Show for both the Philadelphia County Fair and the Pennsylvania State Fair. Further, with each purchase, the company makes a donation to the "Make a Wish Foundation" for terminally ill children. Information can also be found in the Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine on Sunday, December 20, 1998, as "Rosie’s Butterkin’s" where a featured article!

The cookies are available in beautifully packaged bags, boxes or tins which sell for $4.00 for the bags, $7.50 for the box and $15.00 for the tins. Quantity discounts are available as are special prices for groups interested in fund raising.

Quantity orders can be shipped or picked up in the Philadelphia area. Groups interested in fund raising with this product can get further information by contacting the Chief at: (215) 663-1535 or by e-mail at: sdbx48a@prodigy.com

Recently, Chief Labov and Assistant Chief Wallace met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with emergency management officials from the tri-state area in reference to emergency management topics and, of course, search and rescue. They have asked GPSAR to instruct various courses to their personnel as well as provide search and rescue and disaster assistance.

Recently, Chief Labov and Assistant Chief Wallace were invited to speak before 150 representatives of Emergency Management Organizations mainly from the State of New Jersey. As a result of this meeting, they will be assisting the jurisdictions in developing procedures for search and rescue. Chief Labov has also been asked about instructing on topics including Search Management. GPSAR will also be providing search and rescue and disaster assistance to these jurisdictions. GPSAR is recognized as the premier search and rescue organization in the tri-state area due to the hard work and dedication of all of our members!

On December 3, 1998, Chief Labov, Assistant Chief Wallace, and member Denny Waldman were asked to speak before a County Fire Chiefs Association on Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue and the services that we can offer to their communities. As a result of our presentation, GPSAR has been placed on the emergency call out list for their county and asked to speak before the State Fire Chiefs Association.

On November 18, 1998, Chief Labov and Mounted Unit Member Denny Waldman were invited to speak on search and rescue before a Chester County Rotary Club. The Club is considering a donation to GPSAR. As a result of this lecture, GPSAR was contacted the following day by the President of another Rotary Club that was in the audience who has requested us to speak before

their group.

During October, Chief Labov and Captain Hopkins met with representatives of Gloucester County Search and Rescue. We are pleased to announce that we have secured a mutual aid agreement with this team. In the tri-state area, there are very few professional search and rescue organizations willing to work together, and, GPSAR is pleased to welcome another professional organization into our family.

On November 19, 1998, Chief Labov attended the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation yearly fund raising awards ceremony. Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue was honored for our extensive assistance in working with the military reserve in safety and first aid for this event.

As grim as it may seem, Emergency Services Personnel are being threatened with their safety. Unfortunately, culture has added the threat of violence upon those willing to put themselves at risk for the life of another. In New York, following a rash of attacks on medics, the Mayor has issued an order making it optional for those personnel to wear bullet proof vests and carry OC Pepper Spray. OSHA has created a new standard which will require departments to issue protective equipment as it deems necessary to protect personnel from violence hazards. While this possibility is slim, Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue realizing this possibility instituted our optional OC policy two years ago. Annual training and certification on the proper use of OC is required and, the next class will be held in February, 1999.

Congratulations to Peggy Kratz on her promotion to the rank of 1st Lieutenant effective January 1, 1999. Lieutenant Kratz is one of our senior members who is noted for her loyalty and hard work. Lieutenant Kratz will serve in the Mounted Unit as the Senior Supervisor under Captain Zollers.

Congratulations to Denny Waldman on his promotion to the rank of Sergeant effective January 1, 1999. Sergeant Waldman will serve as a Supervisor in the Mounted Unit.

Congratulations to the following GPSAR personnel for successfully completing Emergency Response To Crime Scenes Training Program: Chief Labov, Captain Hopkins and member Dave Park.

Congratulations to member Denny Waldman for successfully completing Structural Collapse Operations I and II.

Congratulations to member Frank Gopaul for successfully completing Aircraft Crash Rescue.

Congratulations to the following GPSAR personnel for successfully completing FEMA’s Emergency Response To Terrorism: Chief Labov, Captain Hopkins and member Denny Waldman.

Congratulations to the following GPSAR personnel for successfully completing classroom and field training in Canine Search and Rescue Operations: Assistant Chief Wallace, Lieutenant Hinkley, Sergeant Kratz and members MacIver and Mechem.

Congratulations to Maria MacIver and her partner "Tasha" for successfully completing all training, requirements and examinations for Level 1 Air Scent Search and Rescue Canine Certification.

Congratulations to Chief Labov and Captain Hopkins for successfully completing FEMA’s Emergency Program Manager training course.

Congratulations to the following GPSAR personnel for successfully completing Animal Rescue in Disasters: Frank Gopaul and Rosella Gray.

Congratulations to Lieutenant Donna Ferron for successfully completing the State of Pennsylvania’s "Water Rescue" Training Program.

Congratulations to Chief Labov for successfully completing the Philadelphia Fire Academy’s "Stress Management For Emergency Service Personnel" Training Program.

Congratulations to Assistant Chief T.J. Wallace for successfully completing Incident Command Systems (ICS).

Congratulations to the following GPSAR personnel for successfully completing certification or re-certification in First Aid/CPR: Assistant Chief Wallace, Captain Zollers, Lieutenant Hinkley and members Baildon, Corrigan and MacIver, and, Explorer Inna Bleckman, Explorer John Borgman, Explorer Steve Couchara, Explorer Keith David, Explorer Kevin Fleming, Explorer Matthew Hawkins, Explorer Clarence Johnson, Explorer Lauren Kelly, Explorer Joji Powell, Explorer Joel Rice, Explorer Tracy Robertson, Explorer Stancia Rosa, Explorer Ariel Tender and Explorer Shawn Weir.

Congratulations to the following new members for successfully completing the Basic Search and Rescue Training Program: Patricia Mannix , Explorer Bleckman, Explorer Borgmann, Explorer Couchara, Explorer Rosa, Explorer Powell, Explorer Rice, and Explorer Tender.

Congratulations to the following GPSAR personnel for successfully completing all training, requirements and examinations for Level 1 Mountain Bike Search and Rescue Certification: Member Packett, Explorer Couchara, Explorer David, Explorer Hawkins and Explorer Weir.

Congratulations to Chief Labov and Captain Hopkins for successfully completing Montgomery County Department of Public Safety’s Major Incident Response - Terrorist Scene Operations.

The Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue Mountain Bike Team has been training for the past few months to serve the department in an increasing capacity. This includes but is not limited to: grid searching, assisting Canine Teams, assisting and riding with the Mounted Unit, rapid transporting of equipment, relaying information, etc. Members must attend six sanctioned training's a year and not miss three consecutive meetings during any period. All team members must requalify every 12 months. All equipment must have passed quarterly inspection. For training to be official prior approval must be given from an officer and three or more members must be present.

Currently, the Mountain Bike Team has seven active members. Our goal is to get the number up to about twelve. This would give us four teams of three which would work fantastic in the field.

The Water Rescue Team will consist of three sections; a Land Rescue section, a Water Rescue section and (eventually, when enough members become certified) a Technical Water Rescue section. Members do not have to know how to swim to participate. Members who are not strong swimmers or who cannot swim will be a part of the Land Rescue section. Eventually we will build our mutual aid resources to include dive recovery. The Water Rescue Team will also provide water safety workshops to the general membership and community. A water safety workshop for our team will be scheduled in the spring.

The team will begin training in January 1999 with an introductory meeting following the January general membership meeting (or the first general membership meeting in 1999 falling on a weekend). All potential members and anyone interested in finding out more about the Water Rescue Team are welcome to attend.

If you would like more information or are interested in joining, please contact Lieutenant Donna R. Ferron by e-mail at: drferron@bellatlantic.net or by calling (610) 942-9422 or, you may contact the Chief by e-mail at: sdbx48a@prodigy.com

The President has recently signed a Bill into law which effects all search and rescue personnel that are members of an established "Rescue" department. The new law includes families of all public safety officers. The new law to aid families of slain officers expands a federal program to provide college scholarships to the dependents of all public safety officers including police, firefighters, correctional officers, rescue personnel and ambulance personnel who are killed or incapacitated in the line of duty. The program offers approximately $4,500 per year for four years of college.

This law is in addition to the line of duty death benefit of $100,000.00 now in effect for the above listed public safety officers.

An ever increasing reality in the world today is the threat of terrorism. The significance of the terroristic threat cannot be overstated in that the threat of terrorism transcends both geographic and demographic boundaries. Terrorism is a threat that exists both nationally and internationally. There is no community or organization that is immune from acts of terrorism.

If you think you and your department just look for lost persons, think again! The motto of the search and rescue community is "That Others May Live." If you as a search and rescue specialist intend to uphold that motto, you should begin training in "Emergency Response To Terrorism." Think about it. If a situation such as Oklahoma City were to occur in your area, most resources within the tri-state area would be needed. If you are listed as a resource for your county, your chances are even greater that your department will receive an assist call. The 24 hours following the initial call will involve pandemonium for the first 30 minutes followed by growing structured order via the Incident Command System (ICS). In utilizing the ICS, your resources will be necessary. Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire, EMS, search and rescue and general public safety services will not be able to meet the immediate demand for personnel and other resources necessary.

Most of us will carry with us for the rest of our lives the indelible images of the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, where 6 people were killed, and the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City where 168 people were killed and hundreds of others were injured.

The recent Olympics in Atlanta provide an illustration of the real potential for terrorism that exists today. This occurrence reveals our vulnerability to terrorism and how difficult preventing such acts can be. Even with extensive planning and preparedness activities, there was still an opportunity for a bombing to take place.

Defining Terrorism - The federal agencies with primary responsibilities for terrorism in the United States include the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The definitions promulgated by these organizations provide a necessary framework for determining whether an event should be categorized as an act of terrorism.

The U.S. Department of Justice defines terrorism as "a violent act or an act dangerous to human life, in violation of the criminal laws of the United States or any segment to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives."

Terrorism can be further classified as domestic terrorism or international terrorism. The Federal Bureau of Investigation provides a distinction between these two types of terrorism. Domestic terrorism "involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are directed at elements of the United States government or population without foreign direction." International terrorism "involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are foreign based and/or directed by countries or groups outside the United States or whose activities transcend national boundaries."

Reality Of Terroristic Threats - Over the past five years there has been a significant increase in suspicious incidents throughout the United States. While some of these incidents are appropriately classified as suspicious criminal activity, rather than terrorism as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice, their occurrences illustrate the reality of the terroristic threat. Plotting these incidents on a map of the United States reveals that all regions of our nation are vulnerable.

Types Of Terroristic Events - The five types of terroristic events are: 1. biological, 2. chemical, 3. explosive, 4. incendiary and, 5. nuclear. While most terroristic events involve one of these types of terrorism, the use of multiple types of terrorism against a target cannot be ruled out. Likewise, the simultaneous deployment of more than one terroristic act at a single location or at multiple locations must be considered.

Biological Events - The use of biological agents presents an extremely serious threat based on their availability and their potential for rapid spread. Common biological agents include bacteria, rickettsia, toxins, and viruses.

Chemical Events - The use of chemicals as an agent of terrorism can result in serious acute and chronic symptoms in exposed individuals. Chemical agents used in terrorism include: blister agents, which cause severe burns; blood agents, which interfere with the transmission of oxygen throughout the bloodstream; choking agents, that can cause severe respiratory distress; irritating agents, which cause problems with the respirator system and the skin; and nerve agents, designed to disrupt the transmission of nerve impulses.

Explosive Events - These terroristic events involve the use of substances or articles designed to generate and rapidly release by-products of an explosion, including gas and heat. Most terroristic attacks to date have involved the use of explosives.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that 70 percent of all terrorist attacks worldwide involve explosives. With terroristic events involving explosives, the threat of secondary devices is a primary concern.

Incendiary Events - Incendiary devices utilize chemical electrical or mechanical energy to create combustion and start fire. These devices can be used by terrorists to shut down the operations of an organization. In addition to damaging the building and other tangible resources of an organization, incendiary events can injure or kill employees and other individuals.

Nuclear Events - The greatest potential use of a nuclear device against an organization would be as a tool of extortion. At the present time, the occurrence of this type of event is considered unlikely.

Resulting Harm From Terrorism - The six types of harm that result from acts of terrorism are: 1. asphyxiation, 2. chemical, 3. etiological, 4. mechanical, 5. radiological, and 6. thermal. One or more of these types of harm may result from each of the five types of terroristic acts related above.

Asphyxiation Harm - results when the oxygen in the atmosphere becomes insufficient to support life. Asphyxiation deprives the systems of the human body of necessary oxygen.

Chemical Harm - can occur when an individual is exposed to corrosive or toxic materials. Chemical can also damage physical resources of the organization.

Etiological Harm - results when an individual is exposed to disease-causing organisms or toxins derived from living organisms. As well as being deadly, etiological agents have the potential of affecting a large population within a community or workplace.

Mechanical Harm - includes a variety of types of physical trauma. Individuals can experience a variety of injuries as a result of a terrorist event. Mechanical harm can also include damage to buildings, equipment, inventory, or raw materials.

Radiological Harm - refers to danger associated with contact with radiation. Individuals exposed to excessive doses of radiation can experience both short-term and long-term effects. Radiological exposure can make a facility uninhabitable, thus reducing its business value and interrupting the organization’s operations.

Thermal Harm - results from exposure to extremes in temperature. These exposures can be to extremely cold substances, such as cryogenic materials, or extremely hot materials, such as burning liquids or metals. The thermal effects of a terroristic event can result in damage to the organization’s facilities and other tangible resources.

Proactive Planning Is Essential - While not all of the above incidents have been determined to be acts of terrorism, they illustrate the potential that exists within every community for acts of terrorism. This potential should be considered by all emergency service service organizations within our Nation. While a terroristic event will likely result in a significant response of state and federal resources, the first response on the scene will be from the local emergency services organizations.

Addressing Our Resource Needs - Local emergency response organizations will require both training and equipment to ensure their preparedness for response to acts of terrorism. We need to train all responders to an awareness level (similarly to hazardous materials training) to ensure their safety and that of the communities that they serve. Advanced training, of both an operations and technical level, will be required for a smaller segment of the response community.

Recently, there have been several threats of anthrax attacks in the United States. The previous article on terrorism explains how we all should be prepared for these events. All emergency services personnel should have some knowledge of this bacteria and its effects.

Researchers are moving closer to finding drugs to disarm anthrax and make the deadly bacteria useless as a weapon. They have discovered how anthrax toxin destroys cells and rapidly causes death.

Experts consider anthrax-based biological weapons to be major threats to military personnel and civilians. Bioterrorism weapons using anthrax or other bacteria are easier to make and distribute than nuclear weapons, and anthrax bombs are a major concern of the United Nations weapons inspectors that had been working in Iraq.

Attorney General Reno and FBI Director Freeh warned Congress that U.S. civilian targets are vulnerable to biological terrorism, hence, the push in training for all emergency services organizations in emergency response to terrorism. Many in Congress believe that such an attack on American civilians will occur within a decade and some believe in the year 2000.

The military is inoculating all of its troops against anthrax, using a vaccine that would prevent infection from the disease. However, the vaccine is not 100 percent effective and most civilians do not receive these shots.

Anthrax is a rapid and highly effective killer. When it infects, the bacteria produces a toxin, or poison, that attacks cells. The only treatment currently for anthrax is to give massive doses of antibiotics and it must be given immediately after exposure. If you give it 24 hours later, it is too late.

Anthrax toxin consists of three proteins, and early research showed that one of the proteins, called lethal factor, or LF was the major cause of cell death. But what science did not know until now is how LF killed the cells. LF disrupts a signaling system in cells called the MAP-Kinase-Kinase (MAP-K-K) pathway. When this system is blocked a cell is cut off from the world. Its metabolism shuts down and it can no longer divide. The toxin also causes the massive release of an inflammation protein and destruction of immune system cells called macrophages. The result is rapid shock and death. In research experiments, rats were dead within 40 minutes of receiving the toxin.

Now that researchers know the MAP-K-K target of lethal factor it gives them the first clues of what they need to develop an antitoxin. They can look at the protein structure of the target and come up with a protein molecule that will block lethal factor from chopping up its target.

According to Colonel Friedlander an Army anthrax researcher, this discovery is significant in understanding how anthrax kills, but he cautioned that it may take more than one antitoxin to disarm the disease.

The anthrax cell target was found while researchers were searching for a way to block the spread of cancer. The cell signaling system that the anthrax toxin turns off is permanently turned on in some cancers.

All emergency services personnel should be aware of the risk of the different types of hepatitis. Emergency services personnel should consider receiving an injection/vaccination due to the increasing problem of hepatitis. Always be sure to wear protective gloves when rendering first aid.

There are three main types of hepatitis, a group of viruses that inflame the liver: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis A - is a relatively mild form of the virus. It spreads primarily through food contaminated by poor sanitation, such as raw shellfish culled from tainted water or food handlers who contaminate salad bars. It can cause food poisoning symptoms, although most patients require no medical care. Hepatitis A clears out of the body quickly. It is most common in developing countries, and a vaccine is recommended for world travelers.

Hepatitis B - is more severe and, sometime fatal. It can cause both acute attacks of jaundice and chronic liver infection. It does not spread through food, but primarily through blood and through sex with infected people. The U.S. blood supply is tested against hepatitis B so cases from transfusions today are rare. People injecting illegal drugs commonly spread hepatitis B by sharing needles. Health care workers are at risk from needle sticks, and patients undergoing kidney dialysis may be at risk if equipment isn’t properly sterilized. A vaccination recently became available, and it is given routinely to children, but adults who have not been vaccinated remain at risk.

Hepatitis C - is very severe and causes long-term liver infection that damages over time. It afflicts an estimated 3.9 million people, is the leading reason for liver transplants and kills up to 10,000 Americans a year. Most patients today are 30 to 49 and, doctors fear deaths could triple in coming years as they reach the age where complications from chronic liver disease typically occur. Because it seldom causes early symptoms, many patients don’t know they’re infected. Sharing needles to inject drugs is the biggest risk, but thousands of Americans were infected from transfusions before the blood supply was tested adequately in 1992.

There is no vaccine or cure. About 15 percent of patients overcome the virus without treatment. Others can try injections of interferon A, starting when liver tests indicate the virus is active. If standard treatment fails, patients can try a new therapy approved last summer, a combination of the shots and ribavirin pills for six months.

Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue would like to extend our condolences to member Rosella Gray and her family on the passing of her mother.

Our condolences are also extended to Little Falls Fire Department in New Jersey. Assistant Chief Stephen Gessler of their department, died from a heart attack on December 12, 1998 while searching for an individual attempting suicide.

Condolences are also extended to Terry Butrym a volunteer search and rescue canine handler with the Placer County Sheriff’s Department in California. Terry’s canine partner "Ranger" was killed on duty as he located the victim and was electrocuted by a downed wire at the victims body.

Have you ever seen a footprint and wondered what story it tells? If you are a tracker, you already know that the print can tell you direction, weight, height and numerous other things about the subject you are looking for.

In this article, we will give you an easy means by which you can determine the height of a subject. To estimate height from a "shoed" footprint:

1. Measure the length of the footprint in inches

2. Divide the length by 0.165 to get the height in inches

3. Divide the height by 12 to get the height in feet

4. Multiply to get feet and inches

1. A footprint at a scene measures 11.50 inches long

2. Divide 11.50 by 0.165 to give the height in inches of the subject - 11.50/0.165 = 69.69 inches

3. Divide 69.69 inches by 12 to get height in feet - 69.69/12 - 5.8 feet

4. Multiply by 12 to get feet and inches - 0.8 x 12 = 9.6 or 10 inches

Footprint Measurement Height

10.0 inches......................................................................5’0" to 5’1"

10.25 inches....................................................................5’2"

10.50 inches....................................................................5’3"

11.0 inches......................................................................5’6" to 5’7"

11.50 inches....................................................................5’10"

12.0 inches......................................................................6’1"

12.5 inches......................................................................6’3" to 6’4"

1. Measure carefully for even a small error in measurement can result in a couple of inches difference in height estimate.

2. Measure in decimals to make calculations easier.

3. Measure at the bottom of the track to get the true track.

4. Use this guide only as another investigative tool in your search for clues.

China has trained an army of 10,000 chickens to wage ware on locusts in northwestern Xinjiang. The chickens, backed by reinforcements of tens of thousands of starlings, were called to service after attacks by humans and aircraft failed to eradicate swarms of insects that had infested grasslands, housing complexes and offices. The chickens undergo a special 60 day training bootcamp shortly after birth. Xinjiang’s worst locust infestation in 10 years has affected almost 500,000 acres of grassland with millions of locust.

Everytime history repeats itself, the price goes up.