Position Duties
- Providing an initial and ongoing survey (detection, monitoring and sampling) for, and identification of, the presence of hazardous materials at search and rescue sites
- Setting up and using the decontamination system in the US&R cache
- Directing decontamination procedures for any task force member victim, canine, or equipment
- Performing minor mitigation operations within the scope of the Hazmat Concept of Operations (CONOPS)
- Assisting team managers in providing information to personnel regarding chemical data and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) compatibility and capability for tactical operations
- Documenting all pertinent information regarding the incident
- Adhering to all safety procedures
- Utilizing the detection monitors and devices in the US&R cache
- Donning and doffing all personal protective equipment in the US&R cache
- Building triage and using US&R marking systems
- Working with Logistics Team personnel to establish and maintain a regular maintenance schedule for HazMat cache items as required, including calibration, battery charging, function tests and field repair
- Performing regular assessments of the base camp for hazardous conditions, such as carbon monoxide from generators, or any other contaminants
- Establishing and maintaining a liaison with HazMat personnel from the Incident Support Team (IST) and other task forces
- Performing additional tasks or duties as assigned during a mission
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
- Hazardous Materials Technician as per OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
- 472 Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents to the level of Hazardous Materials Technician
- FEMA US&R Hazardous Materials Specialist
Annual Training Requirements
- Either an Operational Readiness Exercise (3 days) or a Mobilization Exercise (2 days)
- 1 Regional Training (1 day)
- Skill Set (3 days)
- Work Days (Recommended: 1 day/month; Required: 2 days/year)
Optional Commitment & Requirements
- 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
Training Recommendations
- Swiftwater Rescue Levels I&II
- Wide Area Search
- MGT-314 (If pursuing a leadership role)
- ICS-300 and ICS-400 (If pursuing a leadership role)
- Response to Radiological/Nuclear WMD Incident Course (Course Code: PER-354)
- Hazardous Materials Technologies: Sampling, Monitoring, and Detection course (Course Code: PER-261)
- Rope Rescue (Technician or Level 2)
- Confined Space Rescue (Technician or Level 2)
- Trench Rescue (Technician or Level 2)
- Vehicle and Machinery Rescue (Technician or Level 2)
- Incident Safety Officer
- HazMat Incident Commander
- Training for the Task Force water purification system in the US&R Equipment cache
- US&R Operations Manual Annex B: US&R Operations in Contaminated Environment Concept of Operations (ConOps)
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 Laptop
- Multitool
- Additional bedding options for comfort
- Wet wipes
- Personal Hand Tools
- Other items as desired