View Position Qualification

8-509-1194

Name

Mountain Search and Rescue Strike Team/Task Force Leader

Status

Published

Version

1.3

Updated

6/1/2020 2:11:52 PM

Original Release

11/07/2017

Last Major Release

06/01/2020

Resource Category

Search and Rescue

Primary Core Capability

Mass Search and Rescue Operations

Secondary Core Capability

Resource Kind

Personnel

Overall Function

The Mountain Search and Rescue (SAR) Strike Team/Task Force Leader provides general leadership, direct supervision, wellness, and safety of the Strike Team/Task Force members and other single resources

Single resource

In conjunction with a NIMS typed team

NIMS Typed Team

Mountain Search and Rescue Team

In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit

NIMS Typed Unit

Description Notes

Not Specified

Supporting Core Capabilities
None

Types
Type 1	The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Mountain SAR Type 1 Strike Team/Task Force Leader: 1. Provides general leadership, direct supervision, wellness, and safety of the Strike Team/Task Force members and other single resources in: a. Low Mountain environments: Tracts of land characterized by steep slopes and moderate variations in elevation that require the ability to negotiate routes rated as Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) classes 1-4 and occasionally class 5, where steep to vertical rock, steep forested or brush-covered terrain, talus slopes, boulder fields, and possibly occasional snow and ice obstacles limits travel, which includes city and county (urban or suburban) parks b. Mountain environments: Tract of land characterized by steep slopes and great variations in elevation, that requires the ability to negotiate routes rated Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) class 2–4, and occasionally class 5, and where steep to vertical rock, steep forested or brush-covered terrain, talus slopes, boulder fields, and occasional snow and ice obstacles limit travel c. Alpine environments: Mountainous terrain, typically above tree line, that requires the ability to negotiate routes rated YDS class 2–5, and where any combination of altitude, extreme weather, extensive exposure to snow/ice obstacles, avalanche risk, and crevasses affect travel; in general, the alpine environment includes all mountainous terrain above 3,500 meters 2. Oversees: 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 3. Implements assigned portion of the Incident Action Plan (IAP) 4. Reports on the progress of operations and status of resources 5. Evaluates the need for and requests additional resources 6. Coordinates with ground vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft for support, transportation, and evacuation 7. 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 National Incident Management System (NIMS) Mountain SAR Type 1 Strike Team/Task Force Leader: 1. Provides general leadership, direct supervision, wellness, and safety of the Strike Team/Task Force members and other single resources in: a. Low Mountain environments: Tracts of land characterized by steep slopes and moderate variations in elevation that require the ability to negotiate routes rated as Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) classes 1-4 and occasionally class 5, where steep to vertical rock, steep forested or brush-covered terrain, talus slopes, boulder fields, and possibly occasional snow and ice obstacles limits travel, which includes city and county (urban or suburban) parks b. Mountain environments: Tract of land characterized by steep slopes and great variations in elevation, that requires the ability to negotiate routes rated Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) class 2–4, and occasionally class 5, and where steep to vertical rock, steep forested or brush-covered terrain, talus slopes, boulder fields, and occasional snow and ice obstacles limit travel c. Alpine environments: Mountainous terrain, typically above tree line, that requires the ability to negotiate routes rated YDS class 2–5, and where any combination of altitude, extreme weather, extensive exposure to snow/ice obstacles, avalanche risk, and crevasses affect travel; in general, the alpine environment includes all mountainous terrain above 3,500 meters 2. Oversees: 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 3. Implements assigned portion of the Incident Action Plan (IAP) 4. Reports on the progress of operations and status of resources 5. Evaluates the need for and requests additional resources 6. Coordinates with ground vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft for support, transportation, and evacuation 7. 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

Land search operations and planning training should be consistent with National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR): Managing the Lost Person Incident (MLPI), NPS Search Management, U.S. Coast Guard: Inland SAR Planning Course., or AHJ-Determined equivalent training.

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Completion of the following: 1. All training identified for the NIMS Type 1 Strike Team/Task Force Leader 2. All training identified for the NIMS Type 1 Mountain SAR Team Leader 3. Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)-provided search management and planning course 4. Training that meets or exceeds the requirements of ASTM International (ASTM) 2685, ASTM 3024, and ASTM 3027

Experience

Not Specified

Type 1

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Ability to provide oversight and supervision within a respective area to ensure the team accomplishes objectives for assigned area 2. Ability to carry out the following: a. Technical rescue operations b. General standards of technical rescue c. Rope rescue d. Mountain and Alpine SAR 3. Ability to oversee inspection and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, devices, and equipment specific to this position 4. Knowledge of operations, tactics, strategy, and safety considerations specific to the exercise, planned event or incident 5. Knowledge of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) deployment process 6. Knowledge of alpine and mountain SAR and associated hazards 7. Knowledge of the capabilities of canine search for low mountain, mountain, and alpine environments 8. Understanding of SAR procedures in the low mountain, mountain and alpine environments during day and night operations Experience: 1. Completion of Position Task Book (PTB) for the NIMS Type 1 Mountain Strike Team/Task Force Leader, NIMS Type 1 Mountain SAR Team Leader, and NIMS Type 1 Mountain SAR Technician positions, or equivalent AHJ documentation for each position 2. Demonstrating multiple casualty and multiple asset scene management and dynamic assessment of risk 3. Identifying hazards, including potential operating environments 4. AHJ-determined incident management experience

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. Meets minimum physical fitness standards, in accordance with the AHJ’s Job Related Physical Ability Test (JRPAT) 3. Maintains AHJ-determined medical fitness suitable for the environment and job requirements 4. Maintains immunizations in accordance with the US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control’s 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. Functions in this position during an operational incident, planned event, exercise, drill, or simulation at least once every three years 2. Background checks as applicable law permits or requires 3. This position maintains currency for the NIMS Type 1 Mountain SAR Team Leader and NIMS Type 1 Mountain SAR Technician positions

Professional and Technical Licenses and Certifications

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Not Specified

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
Mountain SAR involves high-angle operations

1144

Notes

References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Mountain Search and Rescue Team
FEMA, NIMS 509: Mountain Search and Rescue Team Leader
FEMA, NIMS 509: Mountain and Search Rescue Technician
FEMA, NIMS 509: Strike Team/Task Force Leader
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS), November 2017
ASTM International (ASTM) F2209-2014: Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member, 2014
ASTM F2685-2014: Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search Team Leader (STL), 2014
ASTM F2751-2009: Standard Guide for Training of Support Level Land Rescue Team Member (LRT-Support) Member, 2009
ASTM F2752-2009: Standard Guide for Training for Level I Rope Rescue (R1) Rescuer Endorsement, 2014
ASTM F2890-2012: Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel, 2012
ASTM F2954-2012: Standard Guide for Training for Level II Rope Rescue (R2) Rescuer Endorsement, 2012
ASTM F3024-2013: Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search and Rescue (SAR) Strike Team/Task Force Leader, 2013
ASTM F3027-2013: Standard Guide for Training of Personnel Operating in Mountainous Terrain (Mountain Endorsement), 2013
ASTM F3028-2013: Standard Guide for Training of Search and Rescue Personnel Operating in the Alpine Environment (Alpine Endorsement), 2013
ASTM WK45629: Training of Non-Wilderness Land Search Team Member
Mountain Rescue Association (MRA), Policy 105.1: National Compliancy Guideline, 2006
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, 2013
National Interagency Aviation Committee (NIAC), Interagency Aviation Training Subcommittee, Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) Guide, 2014
National Park Service (NPS) RM-59: National Park Service, Search and Rescue Reference Manual, 2011
Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), Classifications for Terrain
Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens, latest edition adopted