View Position Qualification

8-509-1166

Name

Structural Collapse Rescue Technician

Status

Published

Version

2.0

Updated

9/28/2021 3:53:37 PM

Original Release

12/11/2014

Last Major Release

09/28/2021

Resource Category

Search and Rescue

Primary Core Capability

Mass Search and Rescue Operations

Secondary Core Capability

Resource Kind

Personnel

Overall Function

The Structural Collapse Rescue Technician conducts rescue operations in collapsed structures and debris fields resulting from natural or human causes.

Single resource

In conjunction with a NIMS typed team

NIMS Typed Team

Structural Collapse Rescue Team and Urban Search and Rescue Task Force

In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit

NIMS Typed Unit

Description Notes

Not Specified

Supporting Core Capabilities
None

Types
Type 1	The Structural Collapse Rescue Technician: 1. Conducts rescue operations during structural collapse incidents, including identifying hazards in a collapsed structure defined as light, medium or heavy construction, in keeping with United Nations (UN) International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) urban search and rescue (US&R) guidance 2. Performs rescue operations involving lifting, moving and shoring of light, medium and heavy frame construction debris 3. Requests rescue, evacuation and recovery resources as necessary 4. Performs emergency medical care, including Basic Life Support (BLS) 5. Reports to a Structural Collapse Rescue Team Leader, if applicable

Type 1

The Structural Collapse Rescue Technician: 1. Conducts rescue operations during structural collapse incidents, including identifying hazards in a collapsed structure defined as light, medium or heavy construction, in keeping with United Nations (UN) International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) urban search and rescue (US&R) guidance 2. Performs rescue operations involving lifting, moving and shoring of light, medium and heavy frame construction debris 3. Requests rescue, evacuation and recovery resources as necessary 4. Performs emergency medical care, including Basic Life Support (BLS) 5. Reports to a Structural Collapse Rescue Team Leader, if applicable

Education

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Not Specified

Training

Not Specified

Type 1

Completion 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. Technician-level training in keeping with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents in the following areas: a. General requirements b. Rope rescue, low angle c. Structural collapse SAR d. Confined space rescue (permit-required, non-mine and non-cave environments) e. Water rescue f. Machinery rescue g. Trench and excavation SAR 6. NFPA 1006: Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications (excluding Chapter 1, Section 1.3.3), or equivalent 7. NFPA, ASTM International (ASTM) or equivalent structural collapse SAR training program that the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has verified and that covers the following position-specific skills and aptitudes: a. SAR hazard awareness, navigation and survival training, or equivalent b. Use, care, inspection and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), tools, devices and equipment specific to this position and subspecialties 8. NFPA 1072: Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications 9. FEMA GPS awareness course, or equivalent 10. FEMA Structural Collapse Specialist course, or equivalent

Experience

NFPA 1006: Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications and NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents address these requirements.

Type 1

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of structural collapse rescue and associated hazards, including recognition of the various types of building/structural collapses and their impacts 2. Understanding of rescue procedures in building/structural collapse environments during day and night operations 3. Ability to carry out the following: a. Technical rescue b. Rope rescue c. Structural collapse SAR d. Confined space SAR e. Machinery rescue f. Trench and excavation SAR Experience: 1. Demonstrated experience in scene management and dynamic risk assessment 2. Experience with relevant building/structural collapses, confined space operations and rope rescue techniques 3. Experience in identifying hazards, including potentially hazardous operating environments 4. Completion of a Structural Collapse Rescue Technician Position Task Book (PTB) or equivalent documentation that validates and verifies (by AHJ) the successful completion of all skills and demonstrated ability to perform skills in exercises and/or actual incident operations

Physical/Medical Fitness

1. The NIMS Guideline for the NQS defines physical/medical fitness levels for NIMS positions. 2. PPE is mission specific and may vary by work environment; it includes protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposure, eye and ear protection, respirators, gloves and masks.

Type 1

1. Arduous 2. Meets minimum physical fitness and swimming standards, in accordance with the AHJ's job-related physical ability test (JRPAT) 3. Maintains AHJ-determined medical fitness standards suitable for the environment and typing; NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments meets or exceeds this medical fitness standard 4. Maintains immunizations in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) immunization recommendations 5. Is able to work while wearing appropriate PPE

Currency

Provider must carry out and use any background checks as applicable law specifies. This may include a background check completed within the past 12 months; a sex-offender registry check; and a local, state and national driving and criminal history.

Type 1

1. Annual refresher of rescue skills and abilities in structural collapse environments 2. Functions in this position during an operational incident, planned event, exercise, drill or simulation at least once every three years 3. Background checks as applicable law permits or requires 4. Keeps immunizations up to date and commensurate with mission assignment 5. Completion of a quantitative respiratory protection fit test, in keeping with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection

Professional and Technical Licenses and Certifications

1. AHJ determines which emergency medical certifications meet the minimum criteria, which could include first aid, CPR, BLS or Advanced Life Support (ALS). 2. AHJ determines other additional certifications in accordance with NFPA and ASTM SAR standards, or equivalent.

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	1. AHJ-required medical care certification or recertification, including BLS, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) 2. Certification or completion of structural collapse, confined space and high- and low-angle training related to position standards

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
Operations in search and rescue (SAR) environments may be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), per ASTM International (ASTM) F2890: Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel; requestor should consider the need for additional capabilities or endorsements.

14511451

Notes

References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Structural Collapse Rescue Team
FEMA, NIMS 508: Structural Collapse Search Team
FEMA, NIMS 509: Fire Officer
FEMA, NIMS 509: Structural Collapse Rescue Team Leader
FEMA, NIMS 509: Structural Collapse Search Team Leader
FEMA, NIMS 509: Structural Collapse Search Technician
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS), November 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, October 2019
ASTM International (ASTM) F2890: Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel, latest edition adopted
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006: Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, latest edition adopted
NFPA 1072: Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, latest edition adopted
NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, latest edition adopted
NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, latest edition adopted
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 1910.132-140: Personal Protective Equipment, latest edition adopted
United Nations (UN), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Guidelines, latest edition adopted