Originally Posted By: paramedicpete
The problem I have with any utilization as a supportive supplement to search and rescue operations, is I have no idea if you really have the necessary training, equipment and physical stamina to be of benefit and not a liability.


Any of us who have firefighter training are likely either firefighters (and with their departments) or retired and likely don't have the physical capabilities they'd need to do your kind of work.

Moving rubble piles, hauling equipment, check buildings/homes that have no apparent damage, those are the sorts of things we can do. We can also assist in search efforts outdoors or in large (undamaged or lightly damaged) buildings.

One of my jobs as a team leader is to articulate our capabilities to first responders who may not know them, and to be able to say no if we're asked to do things we aren't trained or equipped to handle.