ID
8-508-1162
Name
Helicopter/Rotary Wing Search and Rescue Team
Status
Published
Version
1.2
Updated
11/22/2019 3:42:34 PM
Original Release
11/07/2017
Last Major Release
11/22/2019
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 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 d. Resource logistics support, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security or force protection, lodging, transportation, and meals 2. Deploys with a full complement of personnel, unless requested otherwise, and the requestor provides a Flight Observer 3. Hours per shift and duration must comport with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations 4. 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 5. 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 6. The requestor determines and specifies mission operations under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) or using night vision goggles (NVG) 7. 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 should meet requirements in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.134 Respiratory Protection and 29 CFR Part 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens.
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
757
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 509: Helicopter Search and Rescue Pilot
FEMA, NIMS 509: Helicopter Search and Rescue Crew Chief
FEMA, NIMS 509: Helicopter Search and Rescue Technician
FEMA, NIMS 509: Emergency Medical Technician
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
American National Standards Institute/American Society of Safety Engineers (ANSI/ASSE) Z359.1-2007 Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems & Components
ASTM International (ASTM) F2209-14: Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member
Firefighting Resources of Southern California Organized for Potential Emergencies (FIRESCOPE) Field Operations Guide ICS 420-1, December 2012
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, 2013
NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, 2013
NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, 2014
NFPA 1983: Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, 2012
National Search and Rescue Committee, Catastrophic Incident Search and Rescue (CISAR) Addendum to the National Search and Rescue Supplement to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual, v. 3, June 2012
NWCG, Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide (IHOG), PMS 510, October 2013
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 139.319: Aircraft rescue and firefighting: Operational requirements
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR Part 1910.120: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Emergency Communications (OEC), National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG), v. 1.4, January 2014
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Helicopter Short-Haul Handbook (351 DM 1), February 2010