Rescue operations require careful planning and risk assessment to safely rescue victims while protecting responders. A minimum team of 5 trained responders is recommended, including an entry team of 2, a backup team of 2, and 1 to manage decontamination. Victims should be triaged and extracted from the area using recommended carries, drags, and assists, with decontamination performed for all. The transition between rescue and recovery modes depends on victim viability and hazards present.