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USAR Coordination Cell (UCC)

The first arriving classified team should also expect to engage in initial USAR coordination to ensure operations are coordinated from the onset. The first arriving team should establish contact with the LEMA to obtain information about the disaster response and with the next arriving teams to ensure coordination. As this is done, the team should also establish the USAR Coordination Cell (UCC). The UCC is a sub-component of the OSOCC and is normally established prior to the arrival of the rest of the OSOCC personnel. The UCC functions are conducted as a stand-alone entity until absorbed into the full OSOCC structure. If possible, the personnel who begin the coordination process should remain in the UCC throughout the disaster to ensure continuity.

Proper planning is a vital component of incident management. It facilitates adequate and safe use of resources through proper selection of strategies and tactics. The objective of the planning process is to assign and reassign teams to prioritised worksites based on their capacities, in order to maximise the likelihood of live rescues.

UCC Establishment Checklist​

  • Establish contact with OSOCC and other relief organisations.

  • Identify with OSOCC a suitable BoO site.

  • Assign personnel to functions and main areas of responsibility with your span of control.

  • Conduct internal meetings and briefings with USAR Team Leaders.

  • Initially identify priority areas for deploying USAR resources, direct relief providers to high need areas, track progress, and adjust the response as required.

  • Provide briefing on ongoing operations to OSOCC/LEMA.

  • Coordinate Damage Assessment.

  • Monitor and evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of operations.

  • Monitor RDC activities.

  • Collect, collate, analyse and disseminate information received regarding structural collapse operations including logistical coordination of incoming humanitarian aid.

  • Oversee the information flow (input, throughout, output) of the UCC.

  • Prepare situation reports and distribute these accordingly.

  • Coordinate the development and implementation of common assessments surveys, questionnaires, and other information gathering tools.

  • Ensure adequate working space and accommodation for the UCC.

  • Ensure adequate transportation to meet the needs of the UCC.

  • Identify local logistic resources such as transport, fuel, and services and secure, as required.

  • Ensure/establish/maintain the necessary technical needs including electricity, lighting etc., to run and sustain the UCC.

  • Identify capability gaps in equipment and facilities.

  • Liaise closely with other relief organisations and the Logistics Cluster, if and when established, to ensure the coordination of logistical common services.

  • Determine from OSOCC/LEMA and provide procedures for customs clearance, local documentation and taxes.

  • Facilitate cooperation and sharing facilities, supplies, and equipment with other relief organisations.

  • Communicate regularly with other international coordinating bodies and ensure a regular information exchange.

  • In cooperation with OSOCC/LEMA, establish guidelines for interaction with the media.

  • Support donor/VIP-visits and fact-finding missions.

  • Liaise closely with OSOCC/LEMA in media questions.

  • Update UCC staff and other relief actors on security information and develop a security plan for the UCC, including a staff evacuation plan.

  • Ensure that safety and security measure and established.

  • Monitor the security situation and UN security phases.

  • Communicate security procedures to all affected parties and, if needed, facilitate the implementation of these.

  • Develop a plan for medical evacuation.

  • Plan administrative requirements.

  • Document and file incoming and outgoing messages.

  • Introduce administrative systems and procedures, including logging and filing systems.

  • Procure maps, boards, stationery and other support materials necessary for the UCC.

  • Procure and manage translation/interpretation services.

  • Organise an UCC staffing roster utilising personnel from USAR Teams present.

  • Establish and UCC entry point for effective crowd management.

  • Assist with update of contact-lists.

  • Arrange meetings, briefings, and other activities as requested by the UCC Manager.

  • Arrange for administrative support and equipment, as appropriate.

  • Providing support for meetings, e.g., venue, briefing material, co-chairing, etc.

  • Establishing information management systems which will support the respective Cluster information management systems.

  • Ensure linkages with relevant governmental entities.

UCC-LEMA Meeting Form​

⬇ Download UCC-LEMA Meeting Form

Situation

  • Date of meeting
  • Time of meeting
  • Overview of situation in affected areas
  • Infrastructure status
  • Safety issues
  • Security issues

Local response organisation

  • Organisations
  • Capacity
  • Coordination mechanisms
  • USAR integration to local response

Operations in progress

  • Known worksites
  • Sectorisation
  • On-going rescue locations
  • Need for assistance
  • Type of assistance required

Operational requirements

  • Number of Heavy/Medium/Light teams
  • Debris removing equipment
  • Lumber, gases, fuel

Locations

  • RDC location and status of operations
  • BoO location and status of operations
  • UCC location and status of operations

Medical issues

  • Victim handover procedures (live/dead)
  • Local emergency medical capacity
  • Veterinarians
  • Permission for USAR medical staff

Communications

  • GPS Datum to be used (normally WGS84)
  • Radio frequencies/channels to be used
  • Cellular network availability
  • Satellite communication
  • Other communication options
  • Use of drones
  • LEMA contact details
  • Reporting schedule

Other information