Summary of position expectations
- Implementing technical skills and operating equipment necessary for completing the rescue portion of the action plan
- Performing rescue operations under the direct supervision of a Rescue Squad Officer and providing periodic progress reports as needed
- Operating and conducting routine field maintenance of rescue tools and equipment
- Ensuring accountability and maintenance for all issued equipment
- Performing additional tasks or duties assigned
- Evaluating and modifying rescue tactics as needed
- Acting as a team liaison with other agencies and working with other agencies to complete tasks as needed
Requirements
- Physical Training Walk: Members must be able to walk 2 miles within 40 minutes carrying a thirty-pound pack (tested annually)
- Medical Clearance: Members must be cleared by Medical Staff (renew every 3 years)
Required General Training
Complete prior to application (no cost):
Complete once accepted to the team (cost covered by Task Force):
- Water Rescue Awareness
- FEMA National US&R Response System Orientation – Computer-Based Portion
- Blood-Borne Pathogen Training
- Critical Incident Stress Awareness
- CPR License (renew as needed)
- Confined Space Search and Rescue Awareness
- Structural Collapse Search and Rescue Awareness
Complete during New Member Orientation (cost covered by Task Force):
- FEMA National US&R Response System Orientation- instructor-Led
- First Responder Operations Level for Hazardous Materials (renew annually)
- Respiratory Protection Training and Fit Test (renew annually)
- FEMA US&R Enhanced Operations in the Contaminated Environment – Instructor-Led
Paperwork Requirements
After acceptance onto the Task Force, you will need to have the following documents on file:
- Memorandum of Understanding (renew every 3 years)
- Application for Federal Employment
- Immunization Record
- Signed Code of Conduct
- FEMA Transmittal
- FEMA Affidavit
- TEEX General Release
Required Position-Specific Training
- Meet the requirements of NFPA 1006 Technical Rescuer at the Technician or Level 2
- Rope Rescue (Technician or Level 1&2)
- Confined Space Rescue (Technician or Level 1&2)
- Trench Rescue (Technician or Level 1&2)
- Vehicle and Machinery Rescue (Technician or Level 1&2)
- FEMA US&R Structural Collapse Specialist
- FEMA US&R GPS Awareness Level
- Maintain certification in Basic First Aid
- Task force members currently licensed or certified as EMT or licensed board-certified emergency physicians inherently meet this requirement.
- NFPA 1006 Surface Water Rescue (Technician or Level 2)
- Wide Area Search
Annual Training Requirements
- Either an Operational Readiness Exercise (3 days) or a Mobilization Exercise (2 days)
- 1 Regional Training (1 day)
- Skill Set (2 days)
Training Recommendations
- MGT-314 (If pursuing a leadership role)
- ICS-300 and ICS-400 (If pursuing a leadership role)
- FEMA US&R Technical Search Specialist
- FEMA US&R Structural Collapse Specialist Level III, IV, and V
Optional Commitment
- USAR Boat Operator
- Surface Water Rescue – Chapter 11 NFPA 1006 Level 1 & 2
- Swiftwater Rescue- Chapter 12 NFPA 1006 Level 1 & 2
- Boat Operator – Chapter – 11 NFPA 1006
- Rope Rescue – Chapter 6 NFPA 1006 Level 1 & 2
- GPS Awareness Course
- 800m swim test
Financial Requirement / Deployment Equipment List
Uniform items and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are provided by the Task Force, items not provided include:
- Belt
- US&R Boots
- Sleeping clothes, Undergarments, and socks
- Swimmer’s towel and small towel
- Hygiene kit/Toiletries
The following items are optional for personal protection or comfort:
- Personal choice of stethoscope
- Additional bedding options for comfort
- Wet wipes
- Personal Hand Tools
- Other items as desired
The following items are optional position-specific tools:
- Prusik cords
- Personal hand tool bags
- Multitool
- Flashlight
- Chem lights
- Zip ties
- Tape measure
- Speed square
- Small equipment for shoring
- Write in the rain notepad