What Is a Search and Rescue Procedure in a Facility?
Search and rescue kits are one type of operational emergency kit used by schools, workplaces, and facilities to support these organized emergency procedures.
Search and rescue procedures are used after an evacuation, lockdown, or major incident when staff must re-enter or move through a building to locate missing occupants, check rooms, and report conditions to incident command or first responders.
Search teams often check classrooms, offices, restrooms, common areas, storage rooms, and isolated spaces where injured or trapped individuals may be located. Search and rescue kits are one type of operational emergency kit used by schools, workplaces, and facilities to support these organized emergency procedures.
Why Search and Rescue Kits Are Important
During an emergency, searching a building without proper tools can be slow, unsafe, and disorganized. These kits provide essential supplies such as door markers and room status indicators, flashlights and visibility tools, basic medical and triage supplies, accountability materials, communication and note-taking tools, and personal protective items.
They allow search teams to move efficiently, mark cleared areas, and communicate accurate information to emergency coordinators and first responders.
Designed for Schools, Workplaces, and Large Facilities
Search and rescue kits are typically assigned to school safety teams and administrators, floor wardens and evacuation leaders, security personnel, facilities and maintenance teams, and emergency response staff. They are especially important in multi-room, multi-floor, or large campus environments where accountability and thorough room checks are critical.
Supports Emergency Action Plans and ICS Procedures
These kits support written emergency procedures found in OSHA Emergency Action Plans (EAP), Incident Command System (ICS) structures, school and campus safety plans, and workplace evacuation and accountability procedures. They help translate emergency plans into practical action during a real incident.
When to Use a Search and Rescue Kit
These kits are used after occupants have evacuated or sheltered when staff must verify that all areas have been checked, locate missing individuals, and report conditions to responders.
