Structural Collapse Programs

Structural Collapse Operations

This 40 hour program meets the objectives of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1670 and 1006). The search workshop in this program was developed from Michigan-specific structural collapse incidents (tornado in Springfield Township, explosion in Flint, explosion in Wayne, tornado in Dundee, and tornado in Dexter). The building and wide area search methods and techniques taught in the MUSAR course have become the standard for collapse rescue teams throughout the state. These Michigan-specific procedures are not found in other state or FEMA collapse rescue training programs.

The MUSAR Collapse Rescue training programs are being used in all of the state regions that have been mandated, by the Michigan Department of Homeland Security, to develop urban search and rescue capabilities. The use of a single training curriculum has provided a standardized response throughout the three largest urban areas in our state. Those regions are Region One (Lansing area), Region Two (Detroit area) and Region Six (Grand Rapids area).

The MUSAR Training Foundation continues to work closely with MI-OSHA to provide training on updated procedures for safety concerns that are found at rescue scenes throughout the state of Michigan. Since Michigan is not a Federal OSHA state many of these “Michigan Specific” methods are not found in any other collapse rescue training curriculum.

  • All Awareness Level Hazard Recognition objectives
  • Recognizing the need for structural collapse search and rescue
  • Identifying the resources necessary to conduct structural collapse search and rescue operations
    Initiating the emergency response system for structural collapse incidents (Michigan specific USAR Response System)
  • Initiating site control and scene management
  • Recognizing the general hazards associated with structural collapse incidents, including the recognition of applicable construction types and categories and the expected behaviors of components and materials in a structural collapse
  • Identifying the five types of collapse patterns and potential victim locations
  • Recognizing the potential for secondary collapse
    Conducting visual and verbal searches at structural collapse incidents, while using approved methods for the specific type of collapse
  • Recognizing and implementing the FEMA Task Force
  • Search and Rescue Marking System, Building Marking System (structure/hazard evaluation), Victim Location Marking System, and Structure Marking System (structure identification within a geographic area)
  • Removing readily accessible victims from structural collapse incidents
  • Size-up of light frame, ordinary, unreinforced and reinforced masonry construction collapsed structures
  • Determination of potential victim locations
  • Development and implementation of collapse rescue incident action plans
  • Search of light frame collapsed structure (Michigan specific curriculum)
  • Stabilization of collapsed Operations level structures
    Implementation of collapse support operations
  • Release of and removal of victims from entrapment by components of collapsed structures
  • Lifting and moving heavy loads
    Breaching structural components

Click a session to register:

May 5 – 8 June 1 – 4 October 5 – 8

Structural Collapse Technician

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This 60 hour program meets the objectives of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1670 and 1006). MUSAR Collapse Rescue training programs are being used in all of the state regions that have been mandated, by the Michigan Department of Homeland Security, to develop urban search and rescue capabilities. The use of MUSAR collapse programs provides standardized response capabilities throughout the three largest urban areas in our state. Those regions are Region One (Lansing area), Region Two (Detroit area) and Region Six (Grand Rapids area).

  • Recognition of the general hazards associated with structural collapse incidents
  • Recognition of concrete tilt-up, reinforced concrete, steel construction
  • Recognition of pre and post tensioned concrete and associated hazards
  • Recognition of unique collapse and failure hazards associated with steel and concrete types of construction
  • Search of technician level types of construction
  • Stabilization of technician level collapsed structures
  • Utilize a “shoring recovery plan” for pneumatic shores (Michigan specific)
  • Accessing victims inside and beneath collapse debris
  • Rigging and lifting heavy loads with cranes and heavy machinery
  • Perform extrication operations involving packaging, treating and removing victims trapped within and beneath collapse debris

Click a session to register:

July 22-29*

*No classes on 7/25-7/26

Course Manager

Dave Potter

His bio is on the way. In the meantime, trust us: he’s done some cool stuff, ok?