ID
8-509-1179
Name
Canine Search Specialist - Water Human Remains
Status
Published
Version
1.4
Updated
6/25/2024 2:47:35 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 Canine Search Specialist - Water Human Remains handles one canine that is trained to search for and detect human remains in and along bodies of stillwater and swiftwater/flood
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
Canine Search Team – Water Human Remains
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: Handles one canine trained to search for and detect human remains in and along bodies of swift water and swift water/flood
Type 2The Canine Search Specialist – Water Human Remains: 1. Handles one canine trained to search for and detect human remains in and along bodies of stillwater 2. Requests rescue, evacuation and recovery resources 3. Performs medical care to include first aid 4. 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 capability for helicopter operations 5. Coordinates with ground vehicles, watercraft and aircraft for support, transportation and evacuation 6. Operates in environments with and without infrastructure including those affected by disasters and terrorism with compromised access to roadways, utilities and transportation; and limited availability of shelter, food and water
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Not Specified
Type 2Not Specified
TrainingAwareness of the following: 1. ASTM F2890: Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel or equivalent 2. ASTM F3072: Standard Guide for Intermediate Wilderness Global Position System (GPS)-Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Use (GPS-GNSS-IIW) Endorsement or equivalent 3. Crime scene preservation
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Completion of training in the following: 1. Assessment of water conditions and determination of swift water hazards 2. Performance of self-rescue and survival swimming in swiftwater that meets or exceeds ASTM F1739: Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer – Level I or equivalent
Type 2Completion of the following: 3. IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS) or ICS -100 4. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 5. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 6. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 7. Training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens 8. First aid to include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) 9. Canine first aid 10. Completion of an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)-validated training program that meets or exceeds the recommendations specific to a Canine Search Specialist – Water Human Remains 11. ASTM International (ASTM) F1847: Standard Guide for Demonstrating Minimum Skills of Search and Rescue Dogs and Handlers or equivalent 12. ASTM F1848: Standard Classification for Search and Rescue Dog Crew/Teams or equivalent 13. ASTM F1879: Standard Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in Search and Rescue Dogs or equivalent 14. ASTM F2209: Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member or equivalent 15. Performance of survival swimming and self-rescue in stillwater as defined in ASTM F1739: Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer – Level I or equivalent
ExperienceNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of canine search and associated hazards 2. Knowledge of the capabilities of canine search 3. Understands canine search procedures during day and night operations Experience: Completion of the Canine Search Specialist – Water Human Remains Position Task Book (PTB) or equivalent documentation
Physical/Medical Fitness1. NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NIMS positions 2. PPE is mission specific and may vary by environment and it includes protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposure, eye and ear protection, respirators, gloves and masks 3. Handler determines duty cycle of canine based on assignment, environment, terrain and other factors affecting detection performance
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Arduous 2. Meets minimum physical fitness and swimming standards set through Job Related Physical Ability Test (JRPAT) set by AHJ 3. Maintains AHJ-determined medical fitness suitable for the environment and job requirements 4. Maintains immunizations in accordance with current AHJ requirements 5. Is able to work while wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 6. Licensed veterinarian performs annual examination on canine to verify canine has no defects or illnesses that would preclude performing during deployments
CurrencyProvider must carry out and use any background checks as applicable law specifies. This may include: 1. A background check completed within past 12 months 2. A sex-offender registry check 3. A local, state and national criminal history
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Annual refresher of related SAR skills and abilities, at AHJ’s determination 2. Functions in this position during an operational incident, planned event, exercise, drill or simulation at least once every five years 3. Background checks as applicable law permits or requires
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Certified in Swiftwater: NASAR Canine Certification Programs, Canine HRD (Water), Field Stations Only, Openwater Search Station or equivalent
Type 2Certified in Stillwater: National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Canine Certification Programs, Canine HRD (Water), Field Stations Only 1. Shore-Based/Bank Search Stations 1 and 2 2. Open water Search Station 2
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
The position typically works 12 hours per shift, is self-sustainable for 72 hours and is deployable up to 14 days
This position is ready to deploy within 24 hours of notification
1621
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Canine Search Team – Water Human Remains
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for NQS, November 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, October 2019
ASTM International (ASTM) F1739: Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer – Level I, November 2018
ASTM F1847: Standard Guide for Demonstrating Minimum Skills of Search and Rescue Dogs and Handlers, August 2017
ASTM F1848: Standard Classification for Search and Rescue Dog Crew/Teams, May 2014
ASTM F1879: Standard Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in Search and Rescue Dogs, August 2023
ASTM F2209: Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member, September 2014
ASTM F2890: Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel, August 2023
ASTM F3072: Standard Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS-GNSS Use (GPS-GNSS-IIW) Endorsement, April 2020
National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Canine Certification Programs, Canine HRD (Water), latest edition adopted
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens, latest edition adopted
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
1.4 6/25/2024 2:47:35 PM PDF
1.3 12/2/2019 4:04:29 PM PDF
1.2 10/26/2018 2:55:39 PM PDF
1.1 9/28/2018 5:12:20 PM PDF
1.0 11/7/2017 4:09:58 PM PDF