It's emergency preparedness week in Canada, and I received a link to the Canadian Government "Get Prepared" web site. Most information is the usual stuff about 72 hour kits, what to do when the lights go out or the water is rising, etc.

More interesting is a pdf on the site called Basic Rescue Skills, for first responders.

It includes basic stuff on safely entering collapsed buildings, use of levers and cribbing, building shoring, hoists and jacks, etc., Though it's introductory, it goes beyond anything I've seen available on line before.

Looks pretty much identical to what's taught and practiced in CERTs (Community Emergency Response Teams) and NETs (Neighborhood Emergency Team) here in the states. They expand on the knots a bit though, which is nice. More info on CERTs.

It was pretty fun training and practice, I'd recommend people do it. Afterwards you decide how further involved you want to get. There's your local team you can be involved with, or more training, or just not do anything but make sure your own house and family are more prepared.
Jason