MEDICAL SPECIALIST

Summary of position expectations

  • Evaluating the general health of and delivering medical care to all task force personnel, victims, and search dogs, while under the supervision of the Medical Team Manager, during disaster events
  • Implementing the medical action plans specified by the Medical Team Manager
  • Accounting for, maintaining, and performing minor repairs for all issued equipment
  • Assessing the functionality levels and capabilities of medical facilities in the local jurisdiction
  • Performing additional tasks or duties as assigned during a mission

Requirements

  • Medical personnel certified within an accredited organization, who meet the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic Standards and actively practice advanced pre-hospital life support
    • Physician Assistant
    • Registered Nurse-Practitioner
    • Registered Nurse
    • Paramedic
  • Certifications in BTLS, ACLS, and PALS (or equivalent)
  • 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)

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 Medical Team Specialist
  • Canine Emergency Medical Course
  • General Requirements of NFPA 1670
  • Rope Rescue Awareness per NFPA 1670
  • Trench Rescue Awareness per NFPA 1670
  • Duties of the Entrant
  • Swiftwater Rescue Levels I&II

Annual Training Requirements 

  • Either an Operational Readiness Exercise (3 days) or a Mobilization Exercise (2 days)
  • 1 Regional Training (1 day)
  • Medical Team Skill Set (2 days)
  • Other team skill sets, as needed
  • Any personal training required to keep up-to-date on medical supplies, processes, or equipment training

Training Recommendations

  • Wide Area Search
  • MGT-314 (If pursuing a leadership role)
  • ICS-300 and ICS-400 (If pursuing a leadership role)
  • Canine Emergency Medical Course

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