ID
6-509-1374
Name
Diver
Status
Published
Version
1.6
Updated
12/3/2019 11:22:01 AM
Original Release
06/19/2018
Last Major Release
12/03/2019
NQS Position
Resource Category
Law Enforcement Operations
Primary Core Capability
On-scene Security, Protection and Law Enforcement
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Diver performs underwater functions, including evidence collection and remains search and recovery
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
Public Safety Dive Team
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
 
Description Notes
Not Specified
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Types
Type Description
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Performs specialty dives, such as: 1. Confined space/cave dives 2. Hazardous materials and contaminated water dives 3. Ice dives 4. Dives in depths greater than 130 feet
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Dives up to 130 feet 2. Performs technical lifting of objects up to 4,000 lbs. 3. Uses underwater metal detectors 4. Performs grid searches 5. Uses side-scan sonar equipment 6. Performs boat-based search patterns
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: 1. Dives up to 100 feet 2. Marks and recovers evidence 3. Performs technical lifting of objects up to 2,000 lbs. 4. Maps floor of water body 5. Records underwater scene
Type 4The Diver: 1. Dives up to 60 feet 2. Performs basic search patterns 3. Performs tethered dives 4. Operates in black water conditions 5. Performs victim rescue and body recovery 6. May possess other specialty certifications and can use specialty skills based on incident needs
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4High school diploma or equivalent
TrainingUnderwater evidence collection includes: 1. Locating evidence 2. Marking evidence 3. Attaching markers to bodies, guns, and vehicles 4. Documenting diver’s involvement 5. Measuring using triangulation on the surface 6. Recording the item's depth 7. Recovering evidence 8. Handling evidence 9. Maintaining chain of custody and records 10. Scribing the evidence container
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Completion of the following: 1. Training in specialty dives, such as: a. Contaminated Water Operations b. Confined Space/Cave Diving c. Ice Diving 2. Training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response 3. Enriched air or rebreather certification 4. Training in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006: Swiftwater Rescue Operations, or equivalent
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: Completion of the following: 1. Training on Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) approved underwater metal detectors 2. Training on AHJ-approved side-scan sonar equipment 3. AHJ-determined grid search training
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: Completion of the following: 1. Advanced underwater evidence collection training that meets or exceeds PADI Master Underwater Criminal Investigator training standards or DRI Underwater Crime Scene Investigator II training standards 2. Search and recovery diver certification through PADI, DRI, or other nationally recognized curriculum 3. Underwater videographer training through PADI, DRI, or other nationally recognized curriculum 4. Deep diver certification through PADI, DRI, or other nationally recognized curriculum
Type 4Completion of the following: 1.IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 4. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 5. Public Safety Diver training through Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Dive Rescue International (DRI), or other nationally recognized curriculum 6. Basic underwater evidence collection training that meets or exceeds PADI Underwater Criminal Investigator or DRI Underwater Crime Scene Investigator I training standards 7. U.S. Coast Guard-approved boating safety course 8. Training in accordance with accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness
ExperienceNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Knowledge of support needs for advanced dive and search patterns, including: 1. Knowledge of contamination and decontamination procedures related to the underwater environment 2. Knowledge of dive-related health at depths greater than 130 feet 3. Knowledge and skills related to confined space and cave diving operations Experience: Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Ability to operate underwater metal detector 2. Ability to operate side scan sonar 3. Ability to design and execute a grid search based on given parameters Experience: Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Ability to operate AHJ-provided lifting equipment 2. Ability to operate AHJ equipment to map the floor of the water body 3. Ability to use the AHJ-provided underwater scene recording equipment Experience: Performed at least four dives a year over a five-year period in conditions similar to those of the mission
Type 4Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Ability to use proper dive-related Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2. Ability to plan and chart the dive mission based on parameters 3. Knowledge of standard operating procedures, divers' hand signals, equipment limitations, and alternate communication and entanglement procedures 4. Ability to determine victim survivability 5. Ability to apply dive patterns and victim search patterns based on requestor-provided information 6. Ability to apply dive reference materials and witness interviews to develop a dive plan 7. Knowledge of local, state, and Federal laws related to evidence collection 8. Knowledge of health emergencies related to diving Experience: Performed at least four dives a year over a two-year period in conditions similar to those of the mission
Physical/Medical FitnessThe NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NIMS positions.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 41. Arduous 2. Passes Watermanship Test and Basic Scuba Skills Evaluation as prescribed by International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists (IADRS) at least every year 3. Maintains AHJ-determined physical fitness standards suitable for the environment and typing through annual physicals with a physician that has knowledge of hyperbaric and dive-related illnesses; a PADI medical statement, a National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) medical evaluation, and the NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments all meet or exceed this physical fitness standard
CurrencyNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 41. Functions in this position during an operational incident, planned event, exercise, drill, or simulation at least once every year 2. Passes the IADRS Watermanship Test and Basic Scuba Skills Evaluation at least annually 3. Performs at least four dives annually that are similar to those expected to be performed on a deployment
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Public Safety Diver certification through PADI, DRI, or other nationally recognized curriculum
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment
1058
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Public Safety Dive Team
FEMA, NIMS 509: Dive Team Leader
FEMA, NIMS 509: Tender
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System, November 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, June 2016
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, latest edition adopted
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006: Swiftwater Rescue Operations, 2017
NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, 2013
International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists (IADRS), Annual Watermanship Test, 2011
IADRS, Annual Basic Scuba Skills Evaluation
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Public Safety Diver certification
Dive Rescue International (DRI), Public Safety Diver certification
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
1.6 12/3/2019 11:22:01 AM PDF
1.5 1/3/2019 3:48:29 PM PDF
1.4 9/28/2018 5:20:38 PM PDF
1.3 6/29/2018 5:36:31 PM PDF
1.2 6/19/2018 11:42:13 AM PDF
1.1 6/19/2018 10:21:37 AM PDF
1.0 6/18/2018 11:35:27 PM PDF