ID
8-508-1171
Name
Mountain Search and Rescue (SAR) Team
Status
Published
Version
1.3
Updated
7/23/2024 2:15:40 PM
Original Release
11/07/2017
Last Major Release
Description
A Mountain Search and Rescue (SAR) Team conducts search, rescue and recovery in one or more of the environments of low mountain, mountain and alpine, in response to natural and human-caused events
Resource Category
Search and Rescue
Primary Core Capability
Mass Search and Rescue Operations
Secondary Core Capability
Resource Kind
Team
Overall Function
The Mountain SAR Team:
1. Conducts search, rescue and recovery in low mountain, mountain and alpine SAR environments through use of aircraft and ground vehicles for support, transportation and evacuation, including technical and non-technical terrain
a. Low Mountain: Tract of land characterized by steep slopes and moderate variations in elevation, that requires 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 possibly occasional snow and ice obstacles limits travel, which includes city and county (urban or suburban) parks
b. Mountain: Tract of land characterized by steep slopes and great variations in elevation, that requires the ability to negotiate routes rated 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
c. Alpine: 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 affect travel; in general, the alpine environment includes all mountainous terrain above 3,500 meters
2. Provides first aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
3. Operates within the Incident Command System (ICS)
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. Conducts primary rescue of humans and animals and delivers them to safe refuge, but is not intended to perform secondary transport of rescued humans and animals to shelters or other locations
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, rescue or evacuation equipment
4. The requestor should specify the mission location and operational environment, such as low mountain, mountain and alpine
5. The requestor should specify the type of animal rescue, such as livestock and equine, companion, avian, non-domestic and exotic animals
6. The requestor should acquire additional specialized personnel, such as advanced medical, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), paramedic and canine SAR personnel separately
7. The requestor should acquire secondary land or air transport of rescues separately
8. The requestor should specify or separately acquire additional vehicles, trailers, equipment or supplies such as fuel
9. The requestor should consider the need for additional capabilities needed to address hazards that may be encountered during operations in SAR environments, which may be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), as ASTM International (ASTM) F2890 Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel defines
10. The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) may require additional capability-based training or certification, such as those related to cave, mine, water, hazardous material or higher altitudes
| Supporting Core Capabilities |
|---|
| None |
| Components | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component | Notes | |||||||
| Minimum Personnel Per Team | Not Specified |
| ||||||
| Management And Oversight Personnel Per Team | NIMS Mountain SAR Strike Team/Task Force Leader should have experience in the deployment area’s environment |
| ||||||
| SUPPORT PERSONNEL PER TEAM | Requestor may need to order a NIMS Type 1 EMT or Paramedic as a separate resource to supplement the team based on the incident need |
| ||||||
| Environment Capability Per Team | Not Specified |
| ||||||
| Operations Capability Per Team | YDS classified terrains as classes 1-6: 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. |
| ||||||
| General Equipment Per Team | Each response or mission may require additional specialized equipment. Requestor and provider should discuss this prior to team’s arrival |
| ||||||
| Victim Extraction System Equipment Per Team | Hypothermia packaging may include blankets or more technical equipment, such as specially designed sleeping bags |
| ||||||
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Equipment Per Team Member | 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 |
| ||||||
| Communications Equipment Per Team Member | 1. 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 |
| ||||||
| Notes |
|---|
| References |
|---|
| Reference |
| FEMA, NIMS 509: Emergency Medical Technician |
| FEMA, NIMS 509: Paramedic |
| FEMA, NIMS 509: Mountain Search and Rescue Team (SAR) Leader |
| FEMA, NIMS 509: Mountain Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician |
| FEMA, NIMS 509: Mountain Search and Rescue (SAR) Strike Team/Task Force Leader |
| FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017 |
| 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 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, 2015 |
| U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NIFOG, March 2022 |
| Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), Classifications for Terrain |
| Published Versions | ||
| Version | Publish Date | Document Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1.3 | 7/23/2024 2:15:40 PM | |
| 1.2 | 11/19/2019 11:32:38 AM | |
| 1.1 | 9/28/2018 5:06:25 PM | |
| 1.0 | 11/7/2017 3:06:57 PM | |