View Position Qualification

8-509-1196

Name

Mountain Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician

Status

Published

Version

1.4

Updated

7/23/2024 2:17:11 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 Mountain Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician performs search, rescue, and recovery efforts in mountainous terrain

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	Description
Type 1	Same as Type 2, PLUS: Performs search, rescue, and recovery in 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 affects travel; in general, the alpine environment includes all mountainous terrain above 3,500 meters
Type 2	Same as Type 3, PLUS: Performs search, rescue, and recovery in Mountain environments: Tracts of land characterized by steep slopes and great variations in elevation, that require 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
Type 3	The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type 3 Mountain SAR Technician: 1. Reports to the Mountain SAR Team Leader 2. Performs search, rescue, and recovery 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 the possibility of occasional snow and ice obstacles limit travel, which includes city and county (urban or suburban) parks 3. Operates within the Incident Command System (ICS) in an entry level position on a Mountain SAR Team 4. Provides first aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) 5. 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 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
Type 2	Not Specified
Type 3	Not Specified

Training

YDS of classifying walking, hiking and climbing terrain: 1. Class 1: Walking with a low chance of injury. 2. Class 2: Simple scrambling, with the possibility of occasional hand use and little potential danger. 3. Class 3: Scrambling on an increased angle with increased exposure and necessary handholds. Falls could easily be fatal. 4. Class 4: Simple climbing, with exposure and rope use. Falls may well be fatal. 5. Class 5: Technical rock climbing using a rope, specialized equipment and training to protect against a fall. Un-roped falls can result in severe injury or death. 6. Class 6: Rock/Ice so shear and smooth that it is unclimbable without the use of aid, such as artificial and other devices: bolts, wedges, rope ladders, etc.

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. Discipline-specific training for alpine environments, such as those ASTM F3028 defines 2. Hazard awareness, survival, navigation, and search, rescue, and recovery operations in: a. YDS classes 1-5 in alpine terrain b. Alpine glacier and crevasse c. Non-vertical and vertical ice traveling and climbing d. Alpine weather conditions and extreme snow and ice e. Rock climbing in alpine terrain
Type 2	Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Discipline-specific training for mountain environments, such as those ASTM F3027 defines 2. Hazard awareness, survival, navigation, and search, rescue, and recovery operations in: a. YDS Classes 1-5 in mountain terrain b. Weather conditions including mountain terrain weather and heavy snow c. Mountaineering, including avalanche, glacier, and crevasse d. Rock climbing in mountain terrain 3. Mountain–alpine interface training
Type 3	Completion of the following: 1. All training identified for the NIMS Type 1 Land SAR Technician 2. Hazard awareness, survival, navigation, and search, rescue, and recovery operations in: a. YDS classes 1-5 in low mountain terrain b. Rock climbing in low mountain terrain c. High angle rope rescue

Experience

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Same as Type 2
Type 2	Same as Type 3
Type 3	Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of mountain SAR and associated hazards 2. Knowledge of the capabilities of canine search 3. Understanding of SAR procedures in the mountain environment during day and night operations 4. Ability to identify and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) 5. Ability to carry out the following: a. Technical rescue operations b. General standards of technical rescue c. Rope rescue d. Mountain SAR Experience: Completion of Mountain SAR Technician Position Task Book (PTB) or equivalent Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) documentation

Physical/Medical Fitness

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

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Same as Type 2
Type 2	Same as Type 3
Type 3	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 U.S. 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	Same as Type 2
Type 2	Same as Type 3
Type 3	1. Annual refresher of related SAR skills and abilities in their specified 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

Professional and Technical Licenses and Certifications

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Same as Type 2
Type 2	Same as Type 3
Type 3	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

1637

Notes

References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Mountain Search and Rescue Team
FEMA, NIMS 509: Land Search and Rescue Technician
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 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 WK45629: Training of Non-Wilderness Land Search Team Member
ASTM F2954-2012: Standard Guide for Training for Level II Rope Rescue (R2) Rescuer Endorsement, 2012
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
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 (OSHA) 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

Version	Publish Date	Document Type
Published Versions
1.4	7/23/2024 2:17:11 PM	PDF
1.3	6/1/2020 2:18:21 PM	PDF
1.2	1/4/2019 4:08:20 PM	PDF
1.1	9/28/2018 5:12:50 PM	PDF
1.0	11/7/2017 4:46:07 PM	PDF