Search and rescue response to a large-scale rockfall disaster

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Medicine
• Disaster Medicine

Background:

• Large-scale rockfall disasters pose unique challenges for search and rescue (SAR) teams.
• Exposure to environmental hazards, such as dolomite dust, can impact personnel health.
• Prehospital management and safety protocols for SAR operations require careful consideration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the prehospital management and safety measures for SAR teams during a major rockfall event.
• To assess the acute and chronic health outcomes of SAR personnel exposed to significant dolomite dust.
• To evaluate lung function changes in exposed individuals over time.

Main Methods:

• Centralized coordination of resources via an emergency dispatch center.
• Deployment of 150 SAR members and geotechnical experts to a provisional operation center.
• On-site medical screening and lung function testing conducted 3 months and 3 years post-event.

Main Results:

• Dolomite dust exposure, containing silicon and magnesium, did not lead to (sub)acute or chronic health issues.
• No clinically significant impairment in lung function was observed in the exposed SAR personnel.
• Effective resource coordination and multidisciplinary team deployment were crucial.

Conclusions:

• The risks associated with mountain SAR operations are often underreported and difficult to quantify.
• A multiskilled team and robust prehospital management are vital for natural hazard events.
• Mandatory protective measures and ongoing medical surveillance are essential for SAR personnel safety.