Civil security

Cyalume sticks can be used to help firefighters with Rescue Clearance (SD) operations

Cyalume products ared used in both France and other countries abroad during rescue clearance operations to mark, tag and identify. Cyalume products come in different shapes and colors that have been recommended for and included in the USAR/ISAR (Urban Search &Rescue / International Search &Rescue) usage protocols in England (protocol attached) in order to:

• mark out specific dangerous areas,
• mark out secure areas,
• identify GO / NO-GO passages,
• mark specific tasks
• light up or illuminate an area

This type of protocol is being implemented in the Southeast areas of France, too. INSARAG certification is in progress and should be achieved in 2017. Marking / signalling is implicitly included in national doctrine. Just like in England, this French protocol uses Cyalume glow sticks for:

• Marking out prohibited paths or paths that can be taken
• Marking out buildings
• Reporting attendance
• Seeing pathways and junctions easier during a reconnaissance
• Identifying excavations and hard-to-reach points
• marking out work areas

 We also recommend using Cyalume light sticks during NOVI (Many Victims) evacuation plans in order to make it easier for emergency services to identify victims (you can consult the press release to find out more information about a full-scale exercise carried out in coordination with the SNCF and emergency services). During personal rescue operations, Cyalume products (15cm SnapLight sticks) can be used to identify assembly points as well as rescuers’ waiting points.

Water Rescue

The SDIS 84 uses our products during SAV (Water Rescue) operations in order to have lighting for operations at night. During searches or rescue operations at night, we recommend using our supplementary lighting products in order to:

• increase the visual acuity of rescuers by lowering the visual intensity and marking out any objects that are adrift (hulls, watercraft, etc.).
• mark out navigation areas and berthing points, particularly to provide azimuths when navigating at night during mass evacuations by water
• An essential element of a basic survival kit.

Cyalume lighting products such as the LightShape circular markers and the LightShape circular markers can be attached to helmets or neoprene suits as well as to life rafts or the hulls of boats.
A RETEX of SDIS 58 on LightShape devices demonstrates the effectiveness of this light marker when attached to a vehicle. They are highly visible even when in water that is loaded with particles. The sticker holds up well under water. It is also very effective when used during surface operations. We recommend attaching the LightShap to scuba tanks.

Diving

Cyalume is in close collaboration with the National Diving referent, working together to test and approve the situations in which our products can be used:

• Identification of an entry point and exit point for “non-free” surface dives. The term “non-free” surface is used in diving when the light, autonomous diver is unable to surface quickly, with difficulty finding their way, reduced visibility and special progression conditions. According to these conditions, the civil security diver is required to use new equipment as well as new techniques that are suitable for this new environment.
  • the 15cm, green SnapLight glow stick can be used to mark out the entry point of the main line
  • the 15cm, yellow SnapLight glow stick can be used to mark out the exit point of the main line
  • the 15cm, red SnapLight glow stick can be used to identify passages that can’t be accessed from secondary lines
• Safely locating a diver, a penetration line, a distance line or the hull of a boat: the diver can be detected by attaching a 15cm, green SnapLight glow stick to a vest.
  The 15cm, yellow SnapLight glow sticks can be used to identify the penetration line as well as site markings and the hulls of boats. in terms of the hulls of boats, the Cyalume stick can be attached to them using a magnetic base.
• Locating the start of the circular during a search: Cyalume’s 25cm, red, Flare Alternative light stick allows you to locate the start of the circular during a rescue operation and to establish a full circle in order to carry the circular forward into an area.
• Marking out sites where a reconnaissance has been carried out (e. g. diving in flooded homes). LightShape self-adhesive rectangular markers can help mark out sites when reconnaissance operations are being carried out (e. g. diving in flooded homes).

Since 2014, Cyalume products have been recommended to be used for underwater activities carried out by firefighters during their rescue operations. This is what is mentioned on page 17 of the appendix of the French National Reference Framework (REAC) managing “interventions, rescue and safety in aquatic and hyperbaric environments”.
In France, all of the SDIS specialized in diving rescue must now apply this new doctrine.

Floods

Cyalume supported the Paris Fire Brigade (BSPP) training for operations in March 2016 during the “EU Sequana” operation simulating the 100-year flood of the Seine.
The flood risk is covered by the European Directive of 23 October 2007 regarding the assessment and management of flood risks. This directive must be incorporated into national law by the Member States in order to commit themselves to assessing and managing flood risks at a national level. This implies the implementation of risk mapping in order to identify the major risk areas (High Risk Territories – HRT).

The “EU Sequana 2016” operation tested the operational effectiveness of this European system. The European Commission financed a large part of this operation, and several Member States involved in it made their assistance available for operational activities.
The EU Sequana operation was a unique opportunity that helped assess flood risk communication and its impact on the population. The management of public information was one of the main objectives during this operation.
With Sequana, the main challenge was to make citizens aware of the need to assess their own situation: in the event of a flood, will I have to leave Ile-de-France? Where should I go? What would I do if there was no more transport? What measures would I have to take if there was a shortage?

BSPP has used Cyalume products at different sites in various different ways:

• Berthing areas: finding a route for the arrival and departure of boats
• An assembly point for people on an island
• Marking out areas and passages

Light sticks used during operations in dangerous environments (GRIMP)

During operations in dangerous environments, convoys of civil security vehicles are usually identified by using blinding, flashing lights. They can easily be replaced by 25cm Flare Alternative light sticks attached to magnetic bases (green stick placed on the vehicle at the front of the convoy, red stick on the last vehicle closing the convoy and yellow sticks on vehicles in the middle of the convoy).

The 25cm and 40cm Cyalume sticks can be used to mark out the boundaries of intervention areas, which are usually effected by visual pollution due to the use of very powerful halogen floodlights. Passages and tunnels can also be marked out using 15cm SnapLight light sticks in the colors, green, red and yellow. 25cm, yellow, Alternative Flare light sticks can also be used to illuminate a special area, for example, to keep victims who need to be left alone temporarily at ease. LightShape circular markers come in different colours that can be used to mark out the leaders of all field intervention units.

They can be attached to the shoulders and stay fixed despite it being difficult to move ahead in the tunnels. This identification allows you to have a quick overview of all the units assigned to the intervention sites, to locate them and to distinguish between all of their roles as leaders, medical teams etc…

During operations in dangerous environments, Cyalume sticks are also used for:

• Marking out work areas:
• Roadside path (15cm Snaplight sticks) or 25cm high intensity Flare Alternative stick with Flash up support
• Helicopter landing area (15cm Snaplight sticks)
• Marking out obstacles: trees, rocks, forbidden points (15cm, red Snaplight sticks)
• Air-cording: marking out the abseiling rope with weighted bag (15cm Snaplight sticks), PML beacon or 40cm impact light stick can be activated using one hand only

The management of nuclear, bacteriological and chemical risks: Using Cyalume products to cope with risks during CBRN operations

Cyalume products are ATEX approved and can be used to illuminate and mark out areas during chemical accident operations where there are risks of explosions. Very useful for minimising the risks involved during CBRN operations, Cyalume sticks can be used in very confined areas close to explosive substances such as gas, petroleum, oils etc…

During these CBRN operations, Cyalume sticks and light markers can be used to mark out safe and secure paths without risk as well as to identify contaminated areas or even victims.

Flexbands, which are foldable, robust and non-toxic, come in different versions that can be used to mark out personnel or all stationary structures.

Search & rescue operations: emergency signal and light identification of specific areas

During rescue operations in dark areas, at dusk or during the night, using light identification to detect victims, men, equipment or even the ground is essential. Cyalume light sticks can be used to mark out obstacles, sites and passages to be used (red = dangerous area / green = clear area).

Easy to activate, they are useful and make it easier to move forward during operations where both speed and precision are essential. Cyalume sticks can be used as a light source to evacuate victims and mark out lifelines etc…

Circular (Lightshape) adhesive colored patches are often used to mark and identify people: intervention teams or even victims in the event of a medical triage.

Supplementary lighting

Cyalume sticks are often used by firefighters to light up hot spots, but also as supplementary lighting to assist any victims. This helps to avoid panic and makes the victim feel at ease. We recommend using the 15cm Snaplight sticks or the 40cm IMPACT light sticks (activate upon any kind of impact with the ground) when the victim is located in a cavity.

Generally speaking, the Cyalume glow stick is a type of emergency and safety light that is easy to fit in a bag.