ID
8-508-1162
Name
Helicopter/Rotary Wing Search and Rescue (SAR) Team
Status
Published
Version
1.3
Updated
7/23/2024 1:50:29 PM
Original Release
11/07/2017
Last Major Release
 
Description
The Helicopter/Rotary Wing Search and Rescue (SAR) Team is equipped to conduct helicopter-based search, rescue and recovery operations
Resource Category
Search and Rescue
Primary Core Capability
Mass Search and Rescue Operations
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Team
Overall Function
This team: 1. Provides air SAR using rotary wing aircraft during day or night under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) 2. Completes SAR personnel insertion or extraction and SAR equipment transport 3. Performs air SAR that includes technical rescues, hoist or short-haul techniques, specialized helicopter operations in all water environments such as swiftwater and evacuation 4. Provides medical care that includes Basic Life Support (BLS) and transport to Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers 5. Operates in environments with or without infrastructure, including those with compromised access to roadways, utilities, transportation or medical facilities and with limited availability to shelter, food and water
Composition and Ordering Specifications
1. Discuss logistics for deploying this team, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation and meals, prior to deployment 2. Discuss additional requirements prior to deployment, including: a. Communications beyond the resource’s intra-team communications, such as command, logistics, aircraft and military b. Additional specialized personnel, such as advanced medical personnel, animal SAR personnel or helicopter support personnel c. Any contaminated environments and related personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory protection, clothing and equipment 3. Deploys with a full complement of personnel, unless requested otherwise and the requestor provides a Flight Observer 4. Hours per shift and duration must comport with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations 5. Personnel numbers listed reflect those reasonably necessary to conduct operations safely; agreement between the requestor and provider can adapt team positions within the personnel numbers 6. The requestor should base the number of requested aircraft on the nature and magnitude of mission, logistics, intensity of demand and duration of service activity 7. The requestor determines and specifies mission operations under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) or using night vision goggles (NVG) 8. The requestor should specify special environmental capabilities and load needs during ordering
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Components
Component Notes  
Minimum Personnel Per TeamNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 15
Type 24
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 43
Type 52
Management And Oversight Personnel Per TeamPilot should have training for NVG use and have a rating to operate in IFR conditions
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Same as Type 5
Type 51 – National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type 1 Helicopter SAR Pilot
SUPPORT PERSONNEL PER TEAM1. Crew Chief and Technician should have training for NVG operations 2. Flight Observer is not a NIMS-typed support position and the requestor should acquire locally. The position is not a part of the crew and does not deploy with the aircraft
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1 – NIMS Type 1 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1 – NIMS Type 1 Helicopter SAR Crew Chief
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Same as Type 5, PLUS: 1 – NIMS Type 1 Helicopter SAR Technician
Type 51 – Flight Observer
Functions Capability Per TeamOnly crew members with certification in accordance with Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements may administer medical care, including BLS
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. Multi-engine 2. Capability to provide medical attention for at least two persons being transported
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Night operations 2. IFR capable 3. NVG capable
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Same as Type 5, PLUS: 1. Rescue capability 2. Ability to transport at least two persons, one of which can be in a litter
Type 51. Search only 2. Aircraft may be multi- or single-engine 3. Operates under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) 4. Day operations only
Operations Equipment Per TeamRecommend for daylight search only unless the aircraft is equipped with a thermal imager, search light or NVG certified/capable aircraft for night searches
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. NVG 2. IFR equipment
Type 3Same as Type 4, PLUS: Access, rescue and recovery equipment, including: 1. Air rescue litter 2. Straps 3. Baskets 4. Human cargo hoist 5. Dual external hooks or hook and harness/ backup 6. BLS level care and equipment
Type 4Same as Type 5, PLUS: 1. Human cargo dual external hooks or hook and harness/ backup 2. One litter or ability to carry one person flat
Type 51. Aviation Global Positioning System (GPS) equipped 2. Equipment suitable for day operations 3. Portable Basic First Aid equipment 4. Gyro-stabilized handheld binoculars 5. Spare batteries
Communications Equipment Per Team1. Intra-team and inter-team communications should be consistent with National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) 2. Consider alternate forms of communication, such as satellite phones, based on the mission assignment and team needs
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Dual VHF aviation radios
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Same as Type 5
Type 51. Two-way handheld radios 2. Portable radios with ground to air capability 3. Single Very High Frequency (VHF) aviation radio 4. Programmable VHF/Ultra High Frequency (UHF) P25 Radio for air-to-ground communications 5. Marine band radio 6. Electronic direction finder 7. Mobile phones and waterproof bag 8. Handi-mikes or ear/headsets
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Equipment Per Team MemberPPE is mission specific and may vary by working environment; it includes protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposure, eye and ear protection, respirators, gloves and masks
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Same as Type 5
Type 5Minimum PPE, including: 1. Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) in accordance with AHJ definitions and commensurate with the operating environment 2. Flight helmet and other helmets 3. Headlamps 4. Eye and hearing protection 5. Respiratory protection 6. Uniforms, gloves and other protective clothing
1015
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 509: Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) Pilot
FEMA, NIMS 509: Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) Crew Chief
FEMA, NIMS 509: Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician
FEMA, NIMS 509: Emergency Medical Technician
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
ASTM International (ASTM) F2209: Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, 2021
NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, 2022
NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, 2017
NFPA 1983: Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, 2017
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), Standards for Helicopter Operations, 2023
FAA 14 CFR Part 139.319: Aircraft rescue and firefighting: Operational requirements
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NIFOG, March 2022
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Helicopter Short-Haul Operations Plan February 2023
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
1.3 7/23/2024 1:50:29 PM PDF
1.2 11/22/2019 3:42:34 PM PDF
1.1 9/28/2018 5:06:20 PM PDF
1.0 11/7/2017 3:01:56 PM PDF