Technical Information Specialist

Summary of position expectations

  • Gathering requested information from all available sources and forwarding to the Planning Team Manager for incorporation into the planning function
  • Creating, displaying, providing, and compiling documentation for all pertinent task force and incident information via written, audio, and visual media
  • Providing accountability, maintenance, and minor repairs for all planning team equipment
  • Coordinating with other functions (Operations, Logistics, etc.) within the task force to ensure critical information is collected and distributed to the appropriate parties
  • Serving as a technical expert for critical data collection tools across various platforms
  • Ensuring the operational readiness of planning team equipment and applicable cache 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)

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 Planning Team Training

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)
  • Recommended attendance at monthly Planning Team meetings (1 Hour)

Training Recommendations

  • Swiftwater Rescue Levels I&II
  • Wide Area Search
  • MGT-314 (If pursuing a leadership role)
  • ICS-300
  • IS-922 Applications of GIS for Emergency Management
  • NIMS ICS All-Hazards Situation Unit Leader Course
  • NIMS ICS All-Hazards Planning Section Chief
  • Other relevant GIS courses

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