Summary of position expectations
- Assessing the structural integrity of buildings and other structures (bridges, levees, etc.) within the task force operational area, to include identifying structure types, specific damage, and structural hazards
- Providing recommendations for making structures usable by task force as needed
- Recommending the appropriate type and amount of structural shoring and support and supervise the rescue teams building shores to ensure structural integrity and minimize danger to task force personnel
- Providing recommendations to task force tactical action plans as appropriate
- Cooperating with and assisting other search and rescue resources
- Monitoring assigned structure for condition changes while rescue and recovery operations are proceeding
- Assuming an active role in implementing approved structural hazard mitigation as a designer, inspector, and possibly an unofficial supervisor
- Coordinating and communicating the structural related hazard mitigation with US&R IST Structural Unit Leader, to include translating complex engineering concepts into layman’s terms for general understanding
- Performing additional tasks or duties as assigned for a mission
Requirements
- Current license as a Professional Engineer (PE) specializing in structures or equivalent. Equivalency accepted includes all of the following:
- Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering (or similar curriculum) from a college or university that is recognized by a state licensing board
- Five years of experience in any phase of structural engineering, including the teaching of subjects pertaining to structures, structural safety, and structural collapse
- A letter from the individual’s FEMA US&R Task Force expressing the support of task force leadership and the task force structures specialists addressed to the FEMA US&R Structures Subgroup chair for consideration
- Individuals who are licensed architects by any state may be considered as having equivalent certification, based on the requirements listed above
- Possess a minimum of five years of experience in structure design, review or analysis to include evaluation of existing structures, field investigation or construction observation experience
- 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
- Complete the FEMA US&R GPS Awareness Level Course
- Complete the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Structures Specialist 1 Training course
- Complete the required technical rescue skill sets and additional required rope rescue skills
Annual Training Requirements
- Either an Operational Readiness Exercise (3 days) or a Mobilization Exercise (2 days)
- 1 Regional Training (1 day)
- Structural Specialist Skill Set (1 day)
- Another Skill set from one of the following (2 days)
- Rescue Skills Set
- Search Skills Set
- Plans Skill Set
- Attend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Structures Specialist 2 Training course every five years
- Attend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Structures Specialist Regional Training every two years
Training Recommendations
- FEMA US&R Structural Collapse Specialist – Instructor-Led Training
- FEMA US&R Planning Team Training – Instructor-Led Training
- Complete the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Structures Specialist 2 Training course every five years
- Attend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) StS Regional Training every two years
- FEMA US&R GPS Operations Level Course
- 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)
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 cost is position-specific:
- State Engineering License
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