Resource Typing Definition for Mass Search and Rescue Operations

CAVE SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM

A Cave Search and Rescue (SAR) Team conducts search, rescue, and recovery in naturally formed caves.
DESCRIPTION

RESOURCE SAR Team

RESOURCE KIND
CATEGORY
The Cave SAR Team: 1. The requestor should specify additional specialized equipment, such as hardware,
1. Conducts search, rescue, and recovery in horizontal, vertical, and software, ropes, or survivor evacuation devices
submerged cave environments 2. The requestor should specify the mission location and operational environment,
2. Provides for primary rescue of humans and animals to the nearest such as land, wilderness, or hazardous materials contamination
location for secondary air or land transport, care, and sheltering 3. The requestor should specify additional skills needed for deep or rapidly moving
3. Provides first aid to include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) water, sumps, or completely water-filled passages
and automated external defibrillator (AED) 4. The requestor should specify type of animal rescue, such as livestock and equine,
4. Operates within the Incident Command System (ICS) companion, avian, or non-domestic and exotic animals
5. Performs ventilation operations 5. The requestor should acquire additional specialized personnel separately, such as
6. Operates in environments with and without infrastructure, advanced medical, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), paramedic, or canine
including those with compromised access to roadways, utilities, SAR specialist
and transportation, or medical facilities; and those with limited 6. The requestor should acquire secondary land or air transport of rescues separately
availability of shelter, food, and water 7. The requestor should specify or separately acquire additional vehicles, trailers,
equipment, or supplies such as fuel
COMPOSITION
OVERALL 8. This team works up to 12 hours per shift, is self-sustainable for 72 hours (beyond
AND ORDERING need for security and force protection), and is deployable for up to 14 days
FUNCTION
SPECIFICATIONS
9. 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 needs upon arrival
d. Logistics support, such as lodging, transportation, and meals for sustained
operations beyond 72 hours
10. The requestor should consider the need for additional capabilities or endorsements
to address hazards that 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

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 Resource Typing Definition for Mass Search and Rescue Operations

RESOURCE TYPES
TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 NO TYPE 4
COMPONENT METRIC/ MEASURE CAPABILITY
Personnel Per team Minimum 7 7 7 Not Applicable
Personnel Per team Management and 1 – NIMS Type 1 Cave SAR 1 – NIMS Type 2 Cave SAR 1 – National Incident Not Applicable
oversight Team Leader Team Leader Management System (NIMS)
Type 3 Cave SAR Team Leader
NOTES: Not Specified
Personnel Per team Support 6 – NIMS Type 1 Cave SAR 6 – NIMS Type 2 Cave SAR 6 – NIMS Type 3 Cave SAR Not Applicable
Technician Technician Technician
Providing rapid intervention and logistical support, such as surface operations and communications, may require
NOTES: additional teams.
Personnel Per team Operations Same as Type 2, PLUS: Same as Type 3, PLUS: Conduct search, rescue, and Not Applicable
Conduct search, rescue, and Conduct search, rescue, and recovery in horizontal caves
recovery in submerged caves recovery in vertical caves
NOTES: All teams are capable of working in or around a cave with a NIMS Type 1 Canine Search Team – Land Live.
Equipment Per team General Same as Type 2, PLUS: Same as Type 3, PLUS: 1. Atmospheric monitor for Not Applicable
Appropriate flotation 1. Technical rope rescue each type of gas
equipment for extraction equipment expected and any
2. Additional equipment necessary equipment for
to respond to testing and sustaining
simultaneous operations
extraction 2. Appropriate respiratory
equipment
3. Lockout and tag-out kits
4. Personnel accountability
system for surface and
entry
5. Small fire extinguishment
6. Rapid intervention crew
equipment kit
7. Animal rescue
equipment
8. Base and spike camp
Each team should have equipment necessary for access, search, rescue, and recovery; survivor assessment,
NOTES: treatment, and evacuation; and ground support for air operations.
Vehicle Per team Transport Same as Type 2 Same as Type 3 2 – Vehicle Not Applicable
NOTES: Not Specified

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RESOURCE TYPES
TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 NO TYPE 4
COMPONENT METRIC/ MEASURE CAPABILITY
Equipment Per team member PPE Same as Type 2 Same as Type 3 Minimum PPE consistent with Not Applicable
this resource’s capabilities and
needs, including:
1. Footwear, underwear,
and outerwear suited to
the particular cave
environment
2. Sewn seat harness
3. Personal descending
and ascending
equipment with 2 points
of attachment above the
waist
4. Helmet (with 3- or 4­
point chinstrap
suspension system)
5. Gloves with leather
palms
6. 3 independent sources
of light, each capable of
exiting the cave; 2 of
which are helmet-
mountable
7. Batteries (carbide if
appropriate)
8. Quantity of water
appropriate for the
conditions
9. Knife/multi-tool
10. Personal first aid kit
1. The following standards address PPE: American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Z359: Fall Protection Code;
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1983: Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency
NOTES: Services.
2. The following regulation addresses PPE: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Spaces.

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 Resource Typing Definition for Mass Search and Rescue Operations

RESOURCE TYPES
TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 NO TYPE 4
COMPONENT METRIC/ MEASURE CAPABILITY
Equipment Per team Communications Same as Type 2 Same as Type 3 1. Intra-Team portable Not Applicable
communications
2. Portable radios with
ground to air capability
3. Handheld Global
Positioning System
(GPS) units
4. Satellite or mobile phone
and waterproof bag
5. Entry to Surface and
Surface to Entry
Communications that
comply with OSHA 29
CFR 1910.146
6. Surface portable radios
with ground to air
capability
7. Handi-mikes or
ear/headsets
Intra-team and inter-team communications are consistent with National Interoperability Field Operations Guide
NOTES: (NIFOG).

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COMMENTS

None

REFERENCES
1. FEMA, NIMS 509-3: Emergency Medical Technician
2. FEMA, NIMS 509-3: Paramedic
3. FEMA, NIMS 509-8: Cave Search and Rescue Team Leader
4. FEMA, NIMS 509-8: Cave Search and Rescue Technician
5. FEMA, NIMS 509-8: Canine Search Team – Land Live
6. The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), ANSI/ASSE A10.32 Fall Protection Systems for Construction and Demolition Operations, 2012
7. ASSE, ANSI/ASSE A10.16 Safety Requirements for Tunnels, Shafts, and Caissons, 2009
8. ASSE, ANSI/ASSE Z359.1 Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components, 2007
9. ASTM International (ASTM) F2890-12 Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel, 2012
10. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, 2013
11. NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, 2014
12. NFPA 1983: Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, 2012
13. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Emergency Communications (OEC), National Interoperability Field Guide (NIFOG), version 1.5, January 2014
14. 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.146 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Permit-Required Confined Spaces
NOTE
Nationally typed resources represent the minimum criteria for the associated component and capability.

DRAFT – Pre-Decisional – DRAFT

SEPTEMBER 2016 CAVE SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM 5 OF 5
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