Position Duties
- Ensuring the safety of task force members by assessing hazards at disaster sites pertaining to the operations of cranes and other heavy equipment
- Assessing the need for and capabilities of various types of construction-related equipment to assist task force personnel in US&R activities
- Assessing disaster site for safe and efficient location of cranes and other heavy equipment
- Preparing site for and assisting with positioning and setup of cranes and other heavy equipment
- Identifying various rigging techniques to assist in the rescue of victims or stabilization of collapsed buildings, including the development of rigging plans and procedures
- Interacting with and coordinating efforts between the task force personnel and heavy equipment operators, contractors and organized labor
- Adhering to all safety procedures
- Providing documentation to assist task force in procuring cranes and other heavy equipment, as well as maintaining daily logs
- Providing accountability, maintenance, and minor repairs for all issued equipment
- Performing additional tasks or duties as assigned
Requirements
- Physical Training Walk: Members must be able to walk 2 miles within 40 minutes carrying a thirty-pound pack (tested annually)
- Medical Clearance: Members must be cleared by Medical Staff (renew every 3 years)
- Experience in heavy construction field, such as heavy equipment operator, crane operator, iron worker, rigger, or other applicable field, or possess a minimum of three years of experience as a Rescue Specialist on a task force
Required General Training
- Complete prior to application (no cost):
- Complete once accepted to the team (cost covered by Task Force):
- Water Rescue Awareness
- FEMA National US&R Response System Orientation – Computer-Based Portion
- Blood-Borne Pathogen Training
- Critical Incident Stress Awareness
- CPR License (renew as needed)
- Confined Space Search and Rescue Awareness
- Structural Collapse Search and Rescue Awareness
- Complete during New Member Orientation (cost covered by Task Force):
- FEMA National US&R Response System Orientation- instructor-Led
- First Responder Operations Level for Hazardous Materials (renew annually)
- Respiratory Protection Training and Fit Test (renew annually)
- FEMA US&R Enhanced Operations in the Contaminated Environment – Instructor-Led
Paperwork Requirements
- After acceptance onto the Task Force, you will need to have the following documents on file:
- Memorandum of Understanding (renew every 3 years)
- Application for Federal Employment
- Immunization Record
- Signed Code of Conduct
- FEMA Transmittal
- FEMA Affidavit
- TEEX General Release
Required Position-Specific Training
- FEMA US&R Heavy Equipment and Rigging Specialist
Annual Training Requirements
- Either an Operational Readiness Exercise (3 days) or a Mobilization Exercise (2 days)
- 1 Regional Training (1 day)
- Skill Set (2 days)
Training Recommendations
- FEMA US&R Structural Collapse Specialist
- NFPA 1006 Technical Rescuer at the Technician or Level 2
- Rope Rescue (Technician or Level 1&2)
- Confined Space Rescue (Technician or Level 1&2)
- Trench Rescue (Technician or Level 1&2)
- Vehicle and Machinery Rescue (Technician or 1&Level 2)
- Swiftwater Rescue Levels I&II
- Wide Area Search
- MGT-314
Financial Requirement / Deployment Equipment List
Uniform items and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are provided by the Task Force, items not provided include:
- Belt
- US&R Boots
- Sleeping clothes, Undergarments, and socks
- Swimmer’s towel and small towel
- Hygiene kit/Toiletries
The following items are optional for personal protection or comfort:
- Additional bedding options for comfort
- Wet wipes
- Personal Hand Tools
- Other items as desired