View Position Qualification

8-509-1172

Name

Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician

Status

Published

Version

1.4

Updated

7/23/2024 1:52:07 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) Technician 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 Technician: 1. Conducts air SAR, recovery, and evacuation operations from inside and outside the aircraft 2. Performs air SAR and medical assistance that may include technical rescues using hoist or short-haul techniques 3. Performs specialized helicopter operations in all water environments, including swiftwater 4. Conducts day or night air SAR 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 and as the requestor specifies when ordering 5. Performs Basic Life Support (BLS) 6. Reports to the Helicopter SAR Pilot in command or Helicopter SAR Crew Chief 7. Assists with overall search, rescue tactics, and medical operations 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 Technician: 1. Conducts air SAR, recovery, and evacuation operations from inside and outside the aircraft 2. Performs air SAR and medical assistance that may include technical rescues using hoist or short-haul techniques 3. Performs specialized helicopter operations in all water environments, including swiftwater 4. Conducts day or night air SAR 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 and as the requestor specifies when ordering 5. Performs Basic Life Support (BLS) 6. Reports to the Helicopter SAR Pilot in command or Helicopter SAR Crew Chief 7. Assists with overall search, rescue tactics, and medical operations 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

Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to 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. Completion of an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)-validated Helicopter SAR training program 6. 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 7. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection 8. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens

Experience

Not Specified

Type 1

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Performs navigation, internal and external loads, rigging, and operation 2. Provides preventive care and emergency corrective actions for all expected emergencies 3. Inspects and maintains personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, devices, and equipment specific to this position 4. Operates aircraft mounted and deployable rescue equipment Experience: Completion of a Helicopter SAR 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. Arduous 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. Annual refresher of related skills and emergency procedures in aircraft 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

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

1628

Notes

References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 509: Helicopter Search and Rescue Pilot
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) F2209-14: Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member, 2014
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
National Wildlife Coordinating Group (NWCG), National Incident Management System Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1, October 2016
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 1:52:07 PM	PDF
1.3	3/11/2020 10:04:12 AM	PDF
1.2	1/4/2019 2:16:32 PM	PDF
1.1	9/28/2018 5:12:13 PM	PDF
1.0	11/7/2017 4:43:22 PM	PDF