The various roles of the people involved in a search and rescue operation are presented below.
A. Incident Command
The incident commander is the person responsible for all aspects of an emergency response, including quickly developing incident objectives, managing all incident operations, application of resources as well as responsibility for all persons involved.
The incident commander sets priorities and defines the organization of the incident response teams and the overall incident action plan. The role of incident commander may be assumed by a senior or higher qualified officers upon their arrival or as the situation dictates. Even if subordinate positions are not assigned, the incident commander position will always be designated or assumed.
B. Operational Duty Officer
The role of the Operational Duty Officer is fundamental for the regional connection of the Emergency Response System, the RCC and all the involved agencies and Emergency Services. The Operational Duty Officer needs specific training in watch standing, coordination of assorted resources, search planning, and rescue planning. Operational Duty Officers are SAR Managers, and they have the responsibility to ensure that the overall training program is effective and that all SAR service personnel reach and maintain the required level of competence.
C. Volunteer
A volunteer is someone who works for a more humane world by delivering services directly to people in need or just the public, seeking to prevent and reduce vulnerability and exclusion.
Organized volunteers are often highly trained and specialized in disaster management. They also often work together in specialized national teams. They are more likely to be based at a regional or even national level, and their activation depending on the scale and scope of an emergency.
