ID
8-508-1265
Name
Fixed Wing Search Team / Disaster Reconnaissance
Status
Published
Version
1.0
Updated
6/8/2021 10:09:16 AM
Original Release
06/08/2021
Last Major Release
06/08/2021
Description
The Fixed Wing Search Team / Disaster Reconnaissance conducts fixed wing search and disaster reconnaissance missions and provides law enforcement support.
Resource Category
Search and Rescue
Primary Core Capability
Mass Search and Rescue Operations
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Team
Overall Function
This team: 1. Conducts air reconnaissance and search operations using fixed wing aircraft during day or night under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) 2. Conducts operations with technologies such as video, still imagery, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery, hyperspectral imaging and real-time video feedback, using available equipment 3. Conducts search operations, including: a. Aerial search of a pre-strike or post-strike area in search of personnel who need to be extracted or rescued b. Coordination with, and direction of, mobile ground and air search and rescue assets to help extract or rescue personnel 4. Conducts reconnaissance operations, including: a. Pre-strike reconnaissance of an area forecast to experience a hurricane, tropical storm, flood, fire or other incident b. Post-strike aerial damage assessment to gather information for planning response and recovery activities c. Law enforcement missions 5. Gathers information on the status of roads and bridges to determine safe ingress routes for responders to use in re-entry operations 6. Gathers information on the condition of dams, rivers and dikes to provide situational awareness and safety overwatch for responders
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 the necessity for communications equipment beyond intra-team communications—such as command, logistics, aircraft and military communications. 3. Discuss the necessity for additional specialized personnel, such as advanced sensor operators or mission-specific specialists. 4. Discuss procedures for responding to contaminated environments; discuss any necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), respiratory protection, clothing and equipment. 5. Requestor may provide or acquire the flight observer locally; discuss with provider in advance of deployment. 6. Requestor specifies if flight observer or pilot should be a sworn law enforcement officer based on mission needs, such as evidence gathering. 7. Requestor ensures that hours per shift and assignment duration comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and local unit regulations. 8. Requestor bases the number of requested aircraft on the nature and scope of mission, complexity of logistics, intensity of demand and duration of service activity. 9. Requestor specifies any special environmental capabilities necessary, such as high altitude or extended observation. 10. Requestor specifies any technological capabilities necessary, such as hyperspectral imaging.
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Components
Component Notes  
Minimum Personnel Per TeamNot specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 12
Type 22
Type 32
Type 42
Management And Oversight Personnel Per Team1. Pilot is not a National Incident Management System (NIMS) typed position. 2. Pilot should have training commensurate to the mission needs. 3. All positions should complete appropriate unit training programs.
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21 – Pilot—commercial (instrument) certificate or higher
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 41 – Pilot—commercial certificate or higher
SUPPORT PERSONNEL PER TEAM1. Flight observer and sensor operator are not NIMS typed support positions. 2. The flight observer is not necessarily part of the crew and therefore might not deploy with the aircraft. The requestor may need to acquire this position locally. 3. The requestor should specify if the flight observer or pilot should be a sworn law enforcement officer based on mission needs, such as evidence gathering. 4. The sensor operator deploys with the aircraft and is trained on the aircraft's specific sensors. 5. All positions should complete appropriate unit training programs.
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21 – Sensor operator capable of managing on-board sensors
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 41 – Flight observer
Fixed Wing Aircraft Vehicle Per TeamNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2IFR-capable fixed wing observation aircraft
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Fixed wing observation aircraft
Video/Electronic Equipment Per TeamNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 11. Capable of flying back video or still imagery 2. Capable of high-resolution airborne video transmission 3. FLIR or other infrared capabilities
Type 2Same as Type 3, PLUS: Capable of low-resolution airborne video transmission
Type 3Capable of transporting video or still imagery to a designated location
Type 4Not Specified
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Per Team MemberNot Specified
Component Types
Type Attribute
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Appropriate PPE based on mission profile
Communications Equipment Per Team1. Intra-team and inter-team communications should comply with National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) standards. 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
Type 2Same as Type 3
Type 3Same as Type 4
Type 4Radios capable of ground communications
877877
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, October 2019
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Emergency Communications Division, National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG), latest edition adopted
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
1.0 6/8/2021 10:09:16 AM PDF