If you have ever been or known someone who has been in a large scale disaster area — such as after a tornado or hurricane — then you undoubtedly have seen markings on the front access point of buildings.
These markings are codes for FEMA searchers and they help tell you and the searchers a lot about the building such as what's in there and whether it's safe to enter.
In a disaster zone, particularly if it has led to a system-wide catastrophe, a person's only option may be to forage for survival supplies. If that's the case that means entering an abandoned building that's in disrepair.
While the wise advice is to stay out of the building, if the situation is dire enough you may not have another option.
Understanding these symbols and what they stand for not only will make a search easier, but it may also keep you out of trouble!
To learn about theses symbols and what they mean, check out the next page.
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When this happens, mark your own house
You need spray paint !!!!
Bryan Mann
Kelly Tinsley
Dona Riley
Conor Callahan
Save the click
Ok
It’s deaths and stuff
John Kaufenberg
What are Urban Search and Rescue Markings?
These markings are sprayed on the side of residences searched by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) responders. The markings meaning is broken down as follows:
• Single Slash: This means that FEMA responders have gone inside and that a building search is in progress. This helps reduce duplication of search effort, and lets other responders know where their teams are searching.
• X with Writing in Quadrants: This means that a search has been completed.
o Left Quadrant: Search team’s identifier “tag”, usually a short acronym or military number.
o Top Quadrant: Time and date search team left the building.
o Right Quadrant: List of hazards present (if any)
o Bottom Quadrant: Number of survivors and bodies found. Usually noted in that order: 0/0 for no survivors and no corpses.
• X with a Box around it: This means “Do Not Enter”, usually because it is dangerous.
What does the mean for a resourceful Prepper in a SHTF scenario?
If you are out and about after a disaster, now you can easily see what is going on at buildings that have been searched. Not only can you read the markings, but if SHTF and gets real nasty, you can write a marking.
The LEFT Quadrant is the person who did the search.
Sarah Silverman know?
Katie Sherman
These are firefighting symbols for identifying searched buildings. Been around for quite a while now.
very very much,, do you think so?, i need that!
Superb I love it!
Holly Funk
Awesome thanks.
Stephanie.
In reality you find one number on the bottom, nothing else most of the time it is 0.
Us NOLA folk know them pretty well.
Nice post :