ID
8-509-1397
Name
Cave Search and Rescue (SAR) Team Leader
Status
Published
Version
1.6
Updated
7/23/2024 1:23:01 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 Cave Search and Rescue (SAR) Team Leader leads Cave SAR teams performing search, rescue and recovery in naturally formed cave environments, including both horizontal and vertical caves
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
Cave Search and Rescue (SAR) Team
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: Performs search, rescue and recovery in caves that may involve swiftwater
Type 2The Cave SAR Team Leader: 1. Provides general leadership, direct supervision, wellness and safety of the team and members 2. Provides first aid and other medical care within limits of training and applicable protocols 3. Operates within the Incident Command System (ICS), in a specialized position within a Cave SAR Team 4. 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 5. Provides safety of self and team members; basic medical care of self, team members and patients; and simple decontamination of self, team members and personal/team equipment 6. Coordinates with other Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) provided/organized resources as necessary to perform operations and support mission 7. Conducts initial response to incident, including size up and initial report; rescue vs. recovery assessment; and pre-planning, incident action planning and emergency response planning
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Not Applicable
Training1. Operational leadership training follows the guidelines of: a. The AHJ b. National Park Service (NPS) c. United States Coast Guard (USCG) Operational Leadership training d. National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) L-180: Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service or discipline equivalent e. NWCG L-280: Followership to Leadership or discipline equivalent 2. The AHJ may require additional training capabilities and endorsements
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: AHJ verification of completion of a cave SAR training program that results in the following position-specific awareness and capabilities: 1. Address complex rigging problems in vertical environments 2. Perform rescues with minimal equipment
Type 2Completion of the following: 3. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, 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. AHJ verification of completion of a cave SAR training program that results in the following position-specific awareness and capabilities: a. Steep angle evacuation b. High angle evacuation c. Techniques that facilitate patient movement with limited personnel d. Ascending and descending on rope 8. All hazards Team Leader level training 9. Operational Leadership training 10. Training on the use of National Weather Service (NWS), United States Geological Survey (USGS) and related warning and notification systems specific to discipline, such as storms and inflow flooding 11. Hazards and safety in and around caves, including: a. Stillwater and swiftwater considerations b. Cave flooding considerations and response procedures 12. AHJ-verified completion of a Cave SAR training program meeting the following position-specific skills and aptitudes pertaining to initial response: a. Size up and initial report b. Rescue vs. recovery assessment c. Pre-planning, incident action planning and emergency response planning
ExperienceNational Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications (specifically Chapter 13 Cave Search and Rescue) and NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents (specifically Chapter 13 Cave Search and Rescue) address knowledge, skills and abilities standards that may apply to Cave SAR
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Ability to perform search, rescue and recovery in caves that may involve swift water or highly complex rigging
Type 2Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of cave rescue and associated hazards 2. Knowledge of use, care, inspection and maintenance of all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), tools, devices and equipment specific to this position 3. Ability to carry out technical rescue operations, rope rescue and Cave SAR 4. AHJ-validated experience demonstrating the following: a. Scene management and dynamic assessment of risk b. Cave SAR techniques c. Identification of hazards, including potential operating environments 5. Completion of a Cave SAR Team Leader Position Task Book (PTB) or equivalent AHJ documentation
Physical/Medical Fitness1. The 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 working environment and it includes protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposure, eye and ear protection, respirators, gloves and masks
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. Meets minimum physical fitness and swimming standards, in accordance with the AHJ’s JRPAT 2. Physically capable of performing search, rescue and recovery in caves that involve swiftwater while utilizing appropriate PPE
Type 21. Arduous 2. Maintains physical fitness standards, in accordance with AHJ Job Related Physical Ability Test (JRPAT) 3. Maintains immunizations in accordance with current AHJ requirements 4. Is able to work while wearing appropriate PPE 5. Physically capable of performing search, rescue and recovery operations in caves with long and/or complex/tight horizontal and/or vertical passage
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 in cave environments 2. Functions in this position during an operational incident, planned event, exercise, drill or simulation at least once every five years 3. Maintains currency for the NIMS Type 1 Cave SAR Technician 4. Background checks as applicable law permits or requires
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsThe AHJ determines the emergency medical certifications the team leader needs to meet the minimum criteria, which can include first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and BLS
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Certification or completion of cave SAR training that relates to the job standards 2. AHJ-required Basic Life Support (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
The requestor should consider the need for additional recognized capability or endorsement, such as animal rescue
The position typically works 12 hours per shift, is self-sustainable for 72 hours and is deployable up to 14 days
1622
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Cave Search and Rescue (SAR) Team
FEMA, NIMS 509: Cave Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for NQS, November 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, October 2019
ASTM International F2890-12: Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel, 2023
NFPA 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, 2021 (Chapter 13 Cave Search and Rescue)
NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, 2017 (Chapter 13 Cave Search and Rescue)
NWCG, L-180: Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service, 2008
NWCG, L-280: Followership to Leadership, 2008
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
1.6 7/23/2024 1:23:01 PM PDF
1.5 12/2/2019 4:08:32 PM PDF
1.4 9/5/2019 11:43:44 AM PDF
1.3 11/28/2018 3:34:54 PM PDF
1.2 11/28/2018 3:32:54 PM PDF
1.1 11/28/2018 3:32:42 PM PDF
1.0 11/28/2018 3:32:19 PM PDF