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ID
8-508-1169
Name
Mine Search and Rescue (SAR) Team
Status
Published
Version
1.3
Updated
7/23/2024 2:07:32 PM
Original Release
11/07/2017
Last Major Release
 
Description
A Mine Search and Rescue (SAR) Team conducts search, rescue and recovery in underground mine environments, including active, inactive and abandoned mines.
Resource Category
Search and Rescue
Primary Core Capability
Mass Search and Rescue Operations
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Team
Overall Function
The Mine SAR Team: 1. Conducts search, rescue and recovery in active and inactive mines environments, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) 2. Provides for primary rescue of humans and animals to the nearest location for secondary air or land transport, care and sheltering 3. Provides first aid to include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) 4. Operates within the Incident Command System (ICS) 5. Performs ventilation operations 6. Conducts technical rope rescue operations 7. Performs small fire extinguishment operations 8. Uses ground vehicles, watercraft and aircraft for support 9. Operates in environments with and without infrastructure, including those with compromised access to roadways, utilities and transportation or medical facilities; and those with limited availability of shelter, food and water
Composition and Ordering Specifications
1. Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation and meals, prior to deployment 2. Discuss the following items prior to deployment: a. Intra-team communications, such as programmable inter-operable communications with Command, General Staff and other supporting resources b. Presence of contaminated environments and need for related personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory protection, clothing and equipment c. Security and force protection needed upon arrival 3. The requestor should specify additional specialized equipment, such as hardware, software, ropes and survivor evacuation devices 4. The requestor should specify the mission location and operational environment, such as land, wilderness or hazardous materials contamination 5. The requestor should specify additional skills needed for deep or rapidly moving water, sumps or completely water-filled passages 6. The requestor should specify the type of animal rescue, such as livestock and equine, companion, avian, non-domestic and exotic animals 7. The requestor should acquire additional specialized personnel separately, such as advanced medical, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), paramedic and canine SAR specialist 8. The requestor should acquire secondary land or air transport of rescues separately 9. The requestor should specify or separately acquire additional vehicles, trailers, equipment or supplies such as fuel 10. The requestor should consider the need for additional capabilities or endorsements to address hazards the team may encounter during operations in SAR environments, which may be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), as defined by ASTM International (ASTM) F2890 Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Components
Component Notes  
Minimum Personnel Per TeamNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 17
Type 27
Management And Oversight Personnel Per TeamNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 11 – NIMS Type 1 Mine SAR Team Leader
Type 21 – National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type 2 Mine SAR Team Leader
SUPPORT PERSONNEL PER TEAMRapid intervention and logistical support, such as surface operations and communications, may require additional teams
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 16 – NIMS Type 1 Mine SAR Technician
Type 26 – NIMS Type 2 Mine SAR Technician
Operations Capability Per Team1. All teams are capable of working in or around a mine with a NIMS Type 1 Canine Search Team – Land Live 2. The MSHA defines endorsements necessary for specific mine types
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. Conducts search, rescue and recovery in active underground mine environments 2. Firefighting and explosion operations 3. Bulkhead building and timbering operations 4. Post fire/explosion operations
Type 2Conducts search, rescue and recovery in inactive underground mine environments
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Equipment Per Team Member1. PPE 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 2. PPE should be equivalent to parameters set forth in American National Standard Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Z359: Fall Protection Code
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Minimum PPE consistent with this resource’s capabilities and needs, including: 1. Head protection compatible with cap lamps 2. Gloves 3. Flame protective outerwear 4. Footwear appropriate to the environment
Transportation Equipment Per TeamVehicles are for transporting team members and equipment and should be 4 wheel drive as the environment requires
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 22 – Vehicle
General Equipment Per Team MemberNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Equipment including: 1. Entry equipment 2. Fire/explosion suppression 3. Bulkhead building and timbering
Type 21. Technical rope rescue equipment 2. Atmospheric monitors for each type of gas expected and any necessary equipment for testing and sustaining operations 3. Particulate masks and respirators 4. Lockout and tag-out kits 5. Personnel accountability system for surface and entry 6. Rapid intervention crew kit 7. Small fire extinguishment 8. Specialized equipment as needed, such as animal rescue, water entry equipment 9. Access, search, rescue and recovery 10. Patient assessment, treatment and evacuation 11. Ground support for air operations 12. Base and spike camp 13. Entry and escape combination or separate breathing apparatuses: a. Breathing apparatus (BA) with at least four hour capacity b. Any necessary equipment for testing and sustaining such BA for eight hours c. Escape breathing device with at least one hour capacity
Communications Equipment Per Team Member1. Intra-team and inter-team communications are 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 1Not Applicable
Type 21. Intra-team portable communications 2. Portable radios with ground to air capability 3. Handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) units 4. Mobile phone and waterproof bag 5. Entry to Surface and Surface to Entry Communications that comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 6. Handi-mikes or ear/headsets
1018
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 509: Mine Search and Rescue (SAR) Team Leader
FEMA, NIMS 509: Mine Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician
FEMA, NIMS 509: Canine Search Team – Land Live
FEMA, NIMS, October 2017
ANSI/ASSP Z359: Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems & Components, latest edition adopted
ASTM F2890: Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel, 2023
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NIFOG, March 2022
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
1.3 7/23/2024 2:07:32 PM PDF
1.2 11/19/2019 11:20:08 AM PDF
1.1 9/28/2018 5:06:24 PM PDF
1.0 11/7/2017 3:00:38 PM PDF