View Position Qualification

8-509-1170

Name

Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) Crew Chief

Status

Published

Version

1.4

Updated

7/23/2024 1:51:22 PM

Original Release

11/07/2017

Last Major Release

NQS Position

Resource Category

Search and Rescue

Primary Core Capability

Mass Search and Rescue Operations

Secondary Core Capability

Resource Kind

Personnel

Overall Function

The Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) Crew Chief conducts air SAR, recovery, and evacuation operations

Single resource

In conjunction with a NIMS typed team

NIMS Typed Team

Search and Rescue Aircraft – Helicopter/Rotary Wing

In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit

NIMS Typed Unit

Description Notes

Not Specified

Supporting Core Capabilities
None

Types
Type 1	The SAR Crew Chief: 1. Conducts air SAR, recovery, and evacuation operations from inside the aircraft 2. Performs air SAR that may include external load rigging and operation; communication with ground resources, other aviation assets, and deployed team members; technical rescues using hoist or short-haul techniques; coordination of landing zones and helispots for the helicopter; navigation support; communications support; and specialized helicopter operations in all water environments including swiftwater 3. Conducts day or night air searches and rescues under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions. Aircraft flight operations may also require flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and night vision goggles (NVG), based on the mission as the requestor specifies 4. Performs Basic Life Support (BLS) 5. Reports to the Helicopter SAR Pilot in command 6. Assists with overall search, rescue tactics, and medical operations 7. Supervises a qualified crew that conducts air SAR 8. Provides: a. Safety of self and team members b. Basic medical care of self, team members, and survivors c. Simple decontamination of self and team members d. Basic ground support for helicopter operations 9. Coordinates with ground vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft for operations and support 10. Operates in environments with and without infrastructure, including those affected by disasters and terrorism; with compromised access to roadways, utilities and transportation; and with limited availability of shelter, food, and water

Type 1

The SAR Crew Chief: 1. Conducts air SAR, recovery, and evacuation operations from inside the aircraft 2. Performs air SAR that may include external load rigging and operation; communication with ground resources, other aviation assets, and deployed team members; technical rescues using hoist or short-haul techniques; coordination of landing zones and helispots for the helicopter; navigation support; communications support; and specialized helicopter operations in all water environments including swiftwater 3. Conducts day or night air searches and rescues under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions. Aircraft flight operations may also require flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and night vision goggles (NVG), based on the mission as the requestor specifies 4. Performs Basic Life Support (BLS) 5. Reports to the Helicopter SAR Pilot in command 6. Assists with overall search, rescue tactics, and medical operations 7. Supervises a qualified crew that conducts air SAR 8. Provides: a. Safety of self and team members b. Basic medical care of self, team members, and survivors c. Simple decontamination of self and team members d. Basic ground support for helicopter operations 9. Coordinates with ground vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft for operations and support 10. Operates in environments with and without infrastructure, including those affected by disasters and terrorism; with compromised access to roadways, utilities and transportation; and with limited availability of shelter, food, and water

Education

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Not Specified

Training

Not Specified

Type 1

1. All training identified for the NIMS Type 1 Helicopter SAR Technician 2. IS-102: Preparing for Federal Disaster Operations: FEMA Response Partners 3. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 4. IS-703: NIMS Resource Management 5. Basic Aviation Safety: Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) A-100 or equivalent 6. Completion of an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)-validated Helicopter SAR training program

Experience

Not Specified

Type 1

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Performs emergency communications, navigation, and internal and external load, rigging, and operation 2. Provides preventative care and emergency corrective actions for all expected emergencies 3. Inspects, maintains, and operates personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, devices, and equipment specific to this position and sub-specialties Experience: Completion of a Helicopter SAR Crew Chief Position Task Book (PTB) or equivalent documentation

Physical/Medical Fitness

The NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NIMS positions.

Type 1

1. Moderate 2. Maintains physical fitness and swimming standards, in accordance with the AHJ’s Job Related Physical Ability Test (JRPAT) 3. Meets minimum medical fitness standards in accordance with those of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and AHJ 4. Maintains immunizations in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for the United States of America

Currency

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

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	1. Maintain currency for the NIMS Type 1 Helicopter SAR Technician position 2. Annual refresher of related skills and emergency procedures in aircraft 3. Functions in this position during an operational incident, planned event, exercise, drill, or simulation at least once every three years 4. Background checks as applicable law permits or requires

Professional and Technical Licenses and Certifications

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	AHJ-required BLS-level medical care certification or recertification

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

1626

Notes

References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 509: Helicopter Search and Rescue Pilot
FEMA, NIMS 509: Helicopter Search and Rescue Technician
FEMA, NIMS 508: Search and Rescue Aircraft – Helicopter/Rotary Wing
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System, November 2017
American National Standards Institute/American Society of Safety Engineers (ANSI/ASSE) Z359.1-2007 Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems & Components
ASTM International (ASTM) F2209-10: Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member, latest edition adopted
Firefighting Resources of Southern California Organized for Potential Emergencies (FIRESCOPE) Field Operations Guide ICS 420-1, December 2012
National Search and Rescue Committee, Catastrophic Incident Search and Rescue (CISAR) Addendum to the National Search and Rescue Supplement to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual, v. 3, June 2012
NWCG, Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide (IHOG), PMS 510, February 2013
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 61: Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors, latest edition adopted
FAA 14 CFR Part 67: Medical Standards and Certification, latest edition adopted
FAA 14 CFR Part 117: Flight and Duty Limitations and Rest Requirements: Flight Crew Members, latest edition adopted
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR Part 1910.120: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.132: Airborne Pathogens, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.146: Permit-Required Confined Spaces, latest edition adopted

Version	Publish Date	Document Type
Published Versions
1.4	7/23/2024 1:51:22 PM	PDF
1.3	3/11/2020 9:52:06 AM	PDF
1.2	1/4/2019 2:15:44 PM	PDF
1.1	9/28/2018 5:12:10 PM	PDF
1.0	11/7/2017 4:43:08 PM	PDF