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[KC1]TRAINING |
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Edition
5.3, August 1994 |
ASRC Training Standards
Edition 5.3, August 1994
Originally approved March 1989.
Communications changes October 1989;
IS/IC changes June 1991;
IC change February 1993,
AO standards added October 1993, and
CQ changes approved April 1994 and August 1994
Copyright Ó 1993, 1994
Appalachian Search and Rescue Conference, Inc.
P.O. Box 440
Newcomb Hall Station
Charlottesville, VA 22904
MS Word Revision April 19, 1997
May be reproduced as needed by ASRC
members.
Emergency Alerting: (804) 674-2400
Please reproduce on gold paper.
Table of Contents
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I. Call-Out Qualified (CQ) ASRC Member
A. Scope and Intent
Call-Out Qualification is intended to form the most basic level of the ASRC training hierarchy. Its purpose is to facilitate rapid involvement of new members in search incidents while while ensuring, to the extent feasible, that persons representing the ASRC are capable of functioning as useful members, primarily engaged in uncomplicated tasks. Persons of this training level are not intended to be involved in tasks of dangerous, intricate, or politically sensitive natures. CQs must be familiar with ASRC policies and procedures and must possess the common sense and maturity to serve the organization effectively.[1]
B. Qualifications
To become a Call-out Qualified (CQ) ASRC member, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
1. Complete and submit to the Group Training Officer an ASRC Application for Membership;
2. Meet all of the requirements specified in the ASRC Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws;
3. Participate satisfactorily in ASRC or Group training covering: the role of the CQ, ASRC policies and procedures, personal equipment, short-term survival, search tactics, and personal safety;
4. Participate satisfactorily in a minimum of one ASRC or Group practical field exercise;
5. Meet ASRC minimum equipment requirements as set forth in the ASRC Operations Manual; and
6. Demonstrate the ability to function as an effective member of a field team on an uncomplicated task, as judged by the Group Training Officer.
C. Equipment Requirements
Equipment requirements are specified in the ASRC Operations Manual. Items listed below are for information purposes only -- refer to the Operations Manual for the most current requirements.
1. Appropriate clothes and footgear for both fair and foul weather;
2. Water container of one or two liter capacity;
3. Day pack (knapsack is sufficient);
4. Five large, heavy-duty plastic trash bags;
5. Food for 48 hours;
6. Headlamp (or hands-free flashlight) and second light source;
7. Lighter, matches and candle, or equivalent fire source;
8. Knife;
9. Compass;
10. Personal First Aid Kit;
11. Waterproof pen/pencil and paper;
12. Whistle; and
13. Two pairs plastic or vinyl examination gloves.
II. ASRC Field Team Member (FTM)
A. Qualifications
1. To become a Field Team Member (FTM), the applicant must:
a) Be an Active Member of the ASRC, as specified by the ASRC Bylaws;
b) Have met all the requirements as a CQ member;
c) Participate satisfactorily in four ASRC or Group training sessions, including sessions on Personal Wilderness Survival and basic ground search theory, as judged by the Group Training Officer;
d) Meet the technical standards listed below, as judged by the Group Training Officer;
e) Successfully pass a standard ASRC FTM written test and complete the standard ASRC FTM skills evaluation checklist, as verified by the Group Training Officer;
f) Be proposed for membership by the Group Training Officer at a group business meeting and receive a simple majority of the vote.
2. Field Team Members must meet annual continuing education requirements and maintain skills proficiency by participating in a minimum of six training sessions and respond to a minimum of two incidents per year.
B. Equipment Requirements
FTMs must meet the minimal Personal Equipment as specified in the ASRC Operations Manual. The official reference for this list is the Operations Manual. The list when this edition of the Training Standards was published was follows:
1. Appropriate clothes and footgear for both fair and foul weather;
2. Water container of one- to two- liter capacity;
3. Day pack (knapsack will be sufficient);
4. Five large, heavy-duty plastic trash bags;
5. Food for 48 hours;
6. Headlamp (or flashlight) and second light source;
7. Lighter, matches and candle, or equivalent WATERPROOF fire source;
8. Knife;
9. Compass;
10. Personal First Aid Kit;
11. WATERPROOF pen/pencil and paper;
12. Whistle; and
13. Two pairs plastic or vinyl examination gloves.
C. Knowledge and Performance Specifications
ASRC FTM standards closely resemble Virginia Ground Search and Rescue Level I (Field Team Member) standards. Italicized items are additional requirements for ASRC members.
1. SAR Operations
a) Describe areas of responsibility for search and rescue as defined by the National SAR Plan.
b) Describe areas of responsibility at the state level.
c) List several resources that might be used during a SAR event.
d) List several factors that may result in an aircraft being listed as missing.
e) Describe the basic principles of the ICS and define the major staff positions as used in SAR.
2. Legal Aspects of SAR Operations
a) Outline the provisions of the "Good Samaritan" law.
b) Define the terms "implied consent," "expressed consent," "Informed consent" and "abandonment."
c) Define the four facts necessary to prove negligence.
d) Describe several methods of reducing liability exposure.
e) Describe the circumstances when entry upon private property may be justified; define the problems involved with this action and possible solutions.
f)
Briefly explain how
the following legal concepts apply to search and rescue operations:
(1) Civil suits and criminal actions;
(2)
Standards of care;
(3) The right to emergency assistance and duties to provide emergency assistance;
(4) Crime scene protection;
(5)
Declaration of death
and confirmation of death; and
(6)
Confidentiality.
3. Personal Equipment
a) Explain these principles of clothing selection:
(1) Choice of clothing material, listing the "3 W's" of clothing for wet, cool climates, and explaining their importance;
(2) Waterproof/windproof, including the advantages, disadvantages, and uses of waterproof shell garments, and the water penetration resistance of: coated nylon; 60/40 cloth; 65/35 cloth; and waterproof/ breathable fabrics;
(3) Layering and other cold weather dressing concepts, including: ventilation, "dressing cold," and the dangers associated with overheating in the winter; and
(4) Loft and other properties of clothing suitable for various weathers, including a description of clothing materials, including cotton, down, wool, and synthetic fibers, in terms of dry warmth, wet warmth, wind protection, absorption and retention of water, and wicking of water.
b) Describe several ways to prevent excessive body heat loss. Describe the following concepts and their importance to maintaining body temperature.
(1)
The routes of heat
loss and their relative importance;
(2)
The use of energy
stores to produce heat, and the metabolic costs of shivering;
(3)
Vasodilation,
sweating, and behavior means of increasing heat loss, and the long term
consequences of them;
(4)
Vasoconstriction and
behavior as a means of conserving heat;
(5)
The effects of
tobacco and alcohol on normal heat homeostasis;
(6) The particular danger of hypothermia weather.
c) Explain the selection principles for these items:
(1) Boots;
(2) Sleeping bag;
(3) Ground protection and insulation;
(4) Backpack/daypack;
(5) Tent;
(6) Personal safety items;
(7) Fire starting aids;
(8) Items for signaling and navigation;
(9) Light sources and batteries;
(10) Emergency shelters; and
(11) Stoves.
d) Describe the basic characteristics (voltage, life, weight, cost, temperature characteristics and dangers) of carbon-zinc, alkaline, lithium, and nickel-cadmium battery cells.
4. Wilderness Survival
a) Define short-term versus long-term survival.
b) Describe several problems commonly encountered on SAR missions that may lead to a survival situation.
c) Describe the psychological factors that may affect survival ability.
d) Explain the "energy reserve" concept.
e) Describe the body's physiologic response to both cold and heat stress.
f) Define the following temperature-related diseases and their recognition, treatment and prevention:
(1) Hypothermia;
(2) Frostbite;
(3) Trench foot (immersion foot);
(4) Heat stroke;
(5) Heat exhaustion; and
(6) Dehydration.
g) Be able to develop an "action plan" based on the STOP rule for a given wilderness emergency scenario.
h) Demonstrate the ability to bivouac in any type weather conditions, without significantly affecting functional ability.
i) Define average daily food and water requirements.
5. Land Navigation and Orienteering
a) Identify and define the following terms or concepts:
(1) Latitude and longitude;
(2) Degrees, minutes and seconds;
(3) True north and magnetic north; and
(4) Declination.
b)
Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret topographic
map border information, colors and symbols. Demonstrate
the ability to read a 7.5 minute topographic map, including the following
information:
(1)
Grades of highways,
roads, trails and bridges;
(2)
Power lines and
other landmark lines;
(3)
Buildings, schools,
churches and cemeteries;
(4)
Storage tanks,
wells, mines, caves, picnic areas and campsites;
(5)
Benchmarks (control
stations) and spot elevations;
(6)
Boundaries and fence
lines;
(7)
Contour lines,
depressions, cuts and fills;
(8)
Perennial and
intermittent streams, springs, falls and marshes;
(9)
Valleys, ridges,
peaks and sags (saddles, cols); and
(10) Elevations and general land contours.
c) Describe the various parts of the compass and demonstrate the ability to use it to plot a course on a map, including northing and declination correction.
d) Define the following plotting methods or grid systems and demonstrate the ability to use them to determine the coordinates for a given point.
(1) Latitude - Longitude;
(2) UMS (Uniform Map System);
(3) UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator);
(4) ASRC Grid;
(5) LORAN, using a topographic map; and
(6) Using a ruler and a topographic map.
e) Demonstrate the ability to perform the following navigational functions:
(1) Obtain and follow a simple compass bearing;
(2) Determine a reciprocal;
(3) Move around obstacles;
(4) Find a position by triangulation and by resection;
(5) Measure distance by pacing; and
(6) Determine position by terrain feature identification.
f) Describe the significance and use of these orienteering concepts:
(1) Catching features;
(2) Collecting features;
(3) Attack points;
(4) Aiming off; and
(5) Coarse and fine orienteering.
(6)
Demonstrate the
ability to navigate at night.
(7)
Demonstrate
proficiency in photocopying grid overlays onto maps.
6. Search Skills
a) Identify the most basic tenet of search and rescue, the one that should govern all SAR activity.
b) Identify the primary goal of all SAR activity.
c) Identify and define four key points of search theory.
d) Describe the standard techniques for these search tactics:
(1) Attraction;
(2) Containment;
(3) Survey search;
(4) Hasty search (scratch search);
(5) Sweep search (open grid search);
(6) Line search (closed grid search); and
(7) Route search.
e) Describe standard procedures for working with search dogs, tracking/trailing dogs and mantrackers.
f) Define the four core elements of tactical operations.
g) Briefly describe the five phases of a SAR event.
h)
Demonstrate the
following abilities in the field:
(1)
Demonstrate clue
consciousness;
(2)
Function as a member
of a grid team, sweep team, and hasty team, and understand his/her role and
duties in each type of search pattern;
(3)
Accompany a dog
handler on a simple search task;
(4)
Demonstrate the
knowledge required to responsibly and effectively handle the media in the
capacity of a FTM;
(5)
Work well with
people, as determined by the Group Training Officer; and
(6)
Use the ASRC grid
system.
i) Explain the use and operation of direction-finding instruments for locating downed aircraft.
7. Incident Site Procedures and Disciplines
a) Describe several hazards commonly associated with an aircraft crash site; list additional hazards that may be present if the crash involves a military aircraft.
b) Define the proper approach to an aircraft crash site.
c) Explain the importance of the accurate documentation of events at an incident site.
d) Describe the proper methods to use to secure a site adequately.
e) Explain the importance of clue preservation at both an aircraft crash site and a possible crime scene.
f) Define the relationship of the FTM to the press.
8. Ropes and Technical Hardware
a) Describe the several types of rope commonly used in wilderness rescue work, their construction, use and care.
b) Describe the use and care of the carabiner, the Figure-8 descender and the brake-bar rack descender.
c) Demonstrate the ability to tie correctly these knots:
(1) Figure-8 loop;
(2) Figure-8 bend;
(3) Square knot;
(4) Water knot (overhand bend);
(5) Prusik knot;
(6) Double fisherman's knot or barrel bend;
(7)
A redundant seat
harness;
(8)
Bowline knot;
(9)
Girth hitch; and
(10)
Taut-line hitch.
d) Demonstrate these rope handling techniques:
(1) Uncoiling and stacking a rope;
(2) Inspection; and
(3) Throwing.
9. Litter Handling Techniques
a) Demonstrate these litter handling techniques:
(1) Patient loading;
(2) Litter lift, lower and carry;
(3) Litter bearer rotation;
(4) Litter laddering, including toe-nailing; and
(5) Calls.
b) Be able to act as litter captain in a non-technical evacuation, including the proper use of toenailing, laddering, and rotation of litter bearers.
c) Be able to be a litter team member on a semi-technical evacuation and describe the personal equipment required for the rescuer's safety.
10. Belays
a) Demonstrate proper belay techniques including:
(1) Anchoring;
(2) Belayer tie-in;
(3) Stance;
(4) Aim;
(5) Uphill and downhill travel;
(6) ASRC standard calls;and
(7) Tree-wrap and mechanical brakes.
11. Field Team Organization
a) Define "field team."
b) Describe at least five types of search team.
c) Describe at least four types of rescue team.
d) Define the functions of the following field team positions:
(1) Field Team Leader;
(2) Medical Officer;
(3) Rescue Specialist; and
(4) Radio Operator.
12. Helicopter Operations
a) Describe the hazards to ground personnel working around a helicopter.
b) Describe standard protocols for helicopter operations.
c) Explain proper procedures for hoist operations.
d) Describe the considerations for selecting and preparing an LZ.
13. Field Communications
a) Describe the use and dangers of these signaling devices:
(1) Aerial flares;
(2) Smoke;
(3) Signal mirrors;
(4) Fires;
(5) Panels and paulins; and
(6) Hand and body signals.
b) Define the special problems associated with the field use of portable radios and list some possible solutions.
c) Briefly describe basic radio procedures including courtesy, security, brevity and the use of the phonetic alphabet and 10 codes.
d)
Be able to use
reliably all group-owned VHF-FM base and commonly encountered hand-held radios,
including being able to:
(1)
Adjust of channel,
volume, squelch and PL controls;
(2)
Describe and observe
FCC regulations and the ASRC radio SOP;
(3)
Describe indications
of a low battery and the technique for changing radio batteries; and
(4)
Describe various
techniques for improving marginal communications encountered while using VHF-FM
hand-held radios.
e) Demonstrate knowledge of ASRC status codes.
f) Demonstrate non-radio communications with audible and visual signals such as: whistle or loud noise maker; signal mirror, fire & smoke and lights.
14. Wilderness Medicine
Hold a current American Red Cross Standard First Aid card or equivalent, or higher certification.
III. ASRC Field Team Leader (FTL)
A. Qualifications
To become a Field Team Leader (FTL), the applicant must:
1. Meet all standards established for Field Team Member;
2. Have participated in two searches or search simulations as an FTM;
3. Be proposed for FTL membership by the Group Training Officer at a group business meeting and receive a simple majority of the vote;
4. Successfully pass the standard ASRC FTL written test and the standard ASRC FTL skills practical test; and
5. Be at least 18 years old.
FTLs must meet annual continuing education requirements and maintain skill proficiency by participating in a minimum of six training sessions and respond to a minimum of two missions a year.
B. Equipment Requirements
Possess proper equipment as outlined in the ASRC Operations Manual. The official reference for this list is the Operations Manual. The list when this edition of the Training Standards was published was as follows:
1. Appropriate clothes and footgear for both fair and foul weather;
2. Water container of one- to two- liter capacity;
3. Day pack (knapsack will be sufficient);
4. Five large, heavy-duty plastic trash bags;
5. Food for 48 hours;
6. Headlamp (or flashlight) and second light source;
7. Lighter, matches and candle, or equivalent WATERPROOF fire source;
8. Knife;
9. Compass;
10. Personal First Aid Kit;
11. WATERPROOF pen/pencil and paper;
12. Whistle; and
13. Two pairs plastic or vinyl examination gloves.
C. Knowledge and Performance Expectations
ASRC FTL standards closely resemble Virginia Ground Search and Rescue Level II (FTL) standards. Italicized items are additional requirements for ASRC members.
Field Team Leaders are expected to meet all of the requirements of the Knowledge and Performance Expectations of the ASRC FTM Standards. The items listed below are additional requirements.
1. SAR Operations
a) Define the role of the field team for these types of missions:
(1) Lost person search;
(2) Downed aircraft search; and
(3) Natural disaster assistance.
b) List the various types of resources in each of the following categories that may be used in a typical SAR event:
(1) Ground search;
(2) Air search;
(3) Logistics;
(4) Communications; and
(5) Command.
2. Search Tactics
a) Describe in detail the responsibilities of the Field Team Leader when carrying out a field task.
b) Explain the execution of these search tactics using an average size and properly equipped field team.
(1) Containment;
(2) Attraction;
(3) Survey search;
(4) Hasty search (scratch search);
(5) Sweep search (open grid search); and
(6) Line search (closed grid search).
(7) Passive and active search methods;
(8) Clue finders and subject finders;
(9) Binary search and cutting for sign;
(10) The "Bastard Search"; and
(11) Survey search.
c) Describe in detail the tasks that must be completed once the field team returns to base camp.
3. Search Management
a) Outline standard search strategy for:
(1) Downed aircraft;
(2) Lost person, wilderness;
(3) Lost person, rural; and
(4) Lost person, urban.
b) Describe the five phases of a search mission and the primary activities that occur during each phase.
4. Rescue Operations
a) Describe how to formulate a rescue plan.
b) List the four phases of a rescue mission.
c) Describe the major factors a team leader must consider once a victim is located.
d) Describe the manpower and equipment requirements and the team organizational structure necessary to accomplish an advanced semi-technical rescue operation.
5. Equipment
a) Describe basic team equipment, other than required personal gear, for a wilderness SAR team.
b) Define a pre-plan for insuring immediate availability of team equipment in the event of a call-out.
c) Define an equipment inspection and maintenance program that includes member's personal equipment, team equipment and the team vehicle.
6. Mission Performance
a) Demonstrate the ability to travel cross country on foot, in any weather conditions, navigating by map and compass, and to establish an emergency bivouac, all without compromising the assigned task.
b) Demonstrate the ability to organize and execute the six tactics listed below:
(1) Containment;
(2) Attraction;
(3) Survey search;
(4) Hasty search (scratch search);
(5) Sweep search (open grid search);
(6) Line search (closed grid search).
c) Demonstrate the ability to secure a scene properly, extricate and treat a patient, and evacuate a patient using the method most appropriate for a given situation.
d) Briefly describe pertinent local weather patterns, including the signs of arriving cyclonic winter storms, cold fronts, warm fronts, and local storms.
e) Be able to bivouac on a winter night using appropriate field gear.
f) Travel competently in a middle-Appalachian wilderness area during any time of year, including:
(1) Stream crossing evaluation; and
(2) Boulder-field and steep trail climbing.
g)
Given a photocopy of
a 7.5-minute series topographic map with an ASRC grid overprint, the original
7.5-minute quadrangle map, and a Uniform Map System (UMS) gridded aeronautical
chart of the area, identify points via:
(1)
Latitude and
longitude;
(2)
The ASRC grid
system;
(3)
The Uniform Map
System;
(4)
The azimuth and
distance off a VOR; and
(5)
The Universal
Transverse Mercator System.
h)
Given only a
7.5-minute topographic quadrangle or an orienteering map with an attack point
and a target plotted on it, and a standard orienteering compass, reliably and
accurately:
(1)
Calculate the true
bearing from the attack point to the target;
(2)
Calculate and set on
the compass the magnetic bearing to the target; and
(3)
Follow the bearing
accurately, including triangulating and boxing around obstacles.
i)
Correctly locate and
position a point on a topographic map given:
(1)
The bearings to
landmarks indicated on the map (resection); or
(2)
The bearing to one
landmark located on the map, and the information that the position is on a
specified linear feature (modified resection).
j)
Given bearings from
two locations to a target, correctly locate it on a topographic map
(triangulation).
k)
Demonstrate the
ability to lead a field team competently on:
(1)
Containment,
attraction, survey, hasty, sweep and grid search tasks;
(2)
Cutting for sign;
(3)
Simple tracking;
(4)
Interrogation and
visual search tasks;
(5)
Non-technical and
semi-technical evacuation; and
(6)
Direction finding.
l)
Demonstrate the use
of the following basic man-tracking skills and techniques:
(1)
Tracking sticks;
(2)
The effects of the
sun and how to use them;
(3)
How to identify shoe
type and provide measurement; and
(4)
How to find stride
length and width.
m)
Demonstrate the
ability to properly brief a field team before a task, including:
(1)
Giving appropriate
information on:
(a)
Subject information and
history, subject's equipment and medical history;
(b)
Weather;
(c)
Terrain;
(d)
The search task, its
objectives, and how to perform it;
(e)
Time available for the
task and the limitations it may impose upon the task; and
(f)
Team equipment and
personal gear needed;
Obtaining information
from the team members, such as team member medical problems, and other relevant
input; and
Adequately evaluating
team members' abilities to do the task.
n)
Demonstrate the
ability to debrief properly a field team after a task, including:
Instructing the team
to follow proper procedure now the team has returned to base; and
Acquiring team member input (POD, clues, hazards, other pertinent information).
7. Ropes and Technical Hardware
Demonstrate the ability to tie correctly the knots below (in addition to those knots listed in the FTM standards):
Butterfly;
Bowline-on-a-coil;
One-way knot;
Sheet bend;
Frost knot;
ASRC seat harness.
Load-releasing hitch;
and
Cross-chest harness.
a) Assemble and use a single line rappel system that includes a belay.
b) Demonstrate the ability to direct a six person litter team safely in rigging a Z-haul system (2:1 system), a 4:1 hauling system, a "brute force" hauling system, and, using the systems, to move a litter a minimum of 100 feet up a 45 degree slope.
c)
Demonstrate the
ability to rig to an anchor using the following methods:
Bowline;
Tree-wrap and tie-off;
and
Using webbing sling
loops.
d)
Demonstrate the
ability to cast, pad and rig static lines.
e)
Demonstrate the
ability to belay competently, including:
Proper anchoring,
stance, tie-in and aim;
Correct use of calls
and fall catching; and
Prüsik belays.
f)
Demonstrate
competence in braking litters with tree wrap belays and mechanical devices.
g)
Serve competently in
all positions on a semi-technical rescue, including:
serving as rope team
member with tree-wrap brakes and Figure-8 brakes; and
Selecting suitable
anchor points.
h)
Demonstrate the
ability safely to load and tie a patient into a Stokes litter, and rig it for
semi-technical evacuations.
i)
Demonstrate
competence in route selection for a semi-technical evacuation.
j)
Demonstrate the
knowledge of and ability to care properly for ropes and technical rescue
equipment.
8.
Emergency Medicine
Hold a current American National Red Cross
Standard First Aid card or equivalent, or higher certification.
IV. Rescue Specialist (RS)
(Reserved.)
V. Base Radio Operator (BRO)
The BRO-qualified person should be capable of handling the Base radios during a large and complex mission. (The Virginia Ground Search and Rescue Certification standards do not have an equivalent for the ASRC BRO certification level.)
A. Qualifications:
To become Base Radio Operator certified, the applicant must be an ASRC Field Team Leader (FTL). The BRO must know of changes that occur to Communications Policies, Rules, Licenses, and of major changes to ASRC communication equipment.
B. Knowledge and Performance Specifications
1. Equipment
a) Be able to set up antennas and relays, using available high points and ground planes;
b) Describe the proper placement of antennas.
c) Assemble handheld radios, and properly handle sign-in/sign-out of such radios.
d) Change handheld radio batteries:
Set up battery chargers;
Identify and prioritize batteries for charging or sign-out; and
Determine when battery charging is complete.
2. FCC Rules and ASRC Communications Policies and SOP
a) Describe the FCC rules under which the ASRC operates:
State the use and number of units allowed for each FCC licensed frequency used by the ASRC;
Describe appropriate concerns with interference with other Nets; and
Describe FCC rules pertinent to the ASRC.
b) Outline ASRC Communications Policies and SOP:
Describe the duties and responsibilities of Net Control; and
Describe the ASRC Communications SOP.
VI. Incident Staff (IS)
The IS-qualified person should be capable of handling the positions of Plans Section Chief or Operations Section Chief on a search. The Incident Command positions of Finance Section Chief and Logistics Section Chief are not addressed by the requirements below. We generally do not concern ourselves with financial questions. Logistics is best handled by a local person such as a rescue squad or fire department member, a police officer, or the local sheriff's office. (The Virginia Ground Search and Rescue Certification standards do not have an equivalent for the ASRC IS certification level.)
A. Qualifications
To become Incident Staff certified, the applicant must:
1. Be an ASRC Field Team Leader (FTL);
2. Have served as FTL on at least three field tasks;
3. Meet the technical standards set below, as determined by the Group Training Officer selected by the ASRC Board of Directors;
4. Be proposed for Incident Staff qualification by a Group Training Officer at an ASRC Board of Director's business meeting and receive a simple majority of the vote.
5. Complete the Managing the Search Function course and successfully pass the test; and
6. Serve as a member of the Command Post or Base Staff on one incident.
B. Incident Staff qualified members must meet the following recertification requirements every two calendar years:
1. Pass a written test.
2. Serve at least four shifts, divided among at least two different missions, as Assistant Staff, Supervisor Aide, Division Supervisor, Branch Chief, Operations Section Chief, Plans Section Chief, or Logistics Section Chief. It is the responsibility of the individual to provide this documentation to the Board.
3. Maintain ASRC FTL certification.
4. Receive a favorable vote of the ASRC Board of Directors.
5. (This recertification process does not preclude an IS qualified member being brought before the ASRC Board of Directors for review as needed, at any time.)
6. (The review cycle period shall begin the first of January of the year following the IS qualified member's initial certification.)
C. Knowledge and Performance Specifications
1. SAR Operations
a) Demonstrate a working knowledge of the ICS concepts.
b) Demonstrate a working knowledge of the ASRC Operations Manual and the ASRC SAR Operations Plan (SAROP).
2. Legal Aspects
a) Outline the delegation of authority and responsibility for search and rescue in states where ASRC is located.
b) Explain how the following legal concepts apply to search and rescue operations:
Good Samaritan Laws;
Civil suits and criminal actions;
Standards of care;
the right to emergency assistance and duties to provide emergency assistance;
Abandonment;
Implied consent;
Entry, during incidents, on property posted "No Trespassing";
Crime scene protection;
Declaration of death and confirmation of death; and
Confidentiality.
3. Field Operations
a) Describe sources of weather information.
b) Assign realistic tasks to field teams, given terrain, weather, personnel and the context of a search.
c) Produce legible color-enhanced copies of maps with ASRC grids.
4. Search
a) Brief a field team leader properly before a task, including:
Subject information and history, subject's equipment, behavior and medical history;
Weather;
Terrain;
The search task, how to perform it, what its objectives are, clues in the area;
Estimated time to complete the task; and
Hazards.
b) Describe aircraft crash scene considerations.
c) Describe the proper documentation of, and response to, reported clues.
d) Debrief a field team leader properly after a task, including:
POD, clues, safety hazards, map updates, other pertinent field information, and any other relevant information;
Availability for reassignment; and
Specialty team debriefing as appropriate, including:
(a) Dogs (including obtaining information on air movement);
(b) Aircraft;
(c) Direction Finding;
(d) Tracking;
(e) Evacuation (ensuring that paperwork and documentation are completed and checked); and
(f) Medical (ensuring that paperwork and documentation are completed and checked).
e) Plot (triangulate) bearings from Direction-Finding instruments.
f) Handle the media in an appropriate manner (as assigned by the IC).
g) Be able to complete an ASRC map problem defined as follows. Given a search scenario, an ASRC OPSKIT, the ASRC Incident Staff member must be able to complete an accurate Strategy Map using ASRC and ICS symbols. The IS member must then use the map to:
Use the Task Assignment Procedure to generate a set of appropriate tasks to complete the initial strategy with the given resources;
Fill out a Task Assignment Form properly for each task;
Start a Status Map using the standard ASRC symbols; and
Generate Medical, Organizational (including ICS 201), Communications, Evacuation and Demobilization Plans.
5. Communications
a) Equipment:
Be able to set up antennas and relays, using available high points and ground planes; and
Describe the proper placement of antennas.
b) FCC Rules and ASRC Radio Communications Policy and SOP:
Describe FCC rules under which the ASRC operates:
(a) State the use and number of units allowed for each FCC licensed frequency used by the ASRC;
(b) Describe appropriate concerns with interference with other Nets; and
(c) Describe FCC rules pertinent to the ASRC.
Outline ASRC Communications Policies and SOP.
c) Management:
Develop a comprehensive Communications Plan for a mission (with multiple nets and base communications);
Describe how to interface with other organizations providing radio communications at missions (CAP, Ham, etc.).
(a) Planning -- describe what is needed and how these organizations can be put to best use;
(b) Resources -- describe what the organizations can provide and when; and
(c) Operations -- find out what they need during operations and try to provide it.
Explain when a temporary commercial telephone line installation is practical. Describe the procedure to obtain a temporary installation.
Maintain proper records (Communications log and equipment sign-out log).
VII. Alert Officer (AO)
A. Requirements:
To become Alert Officer qualified, the applicant must:
1. Be Incident Staff or Incident Command qualified.
2. Complete the ASRC AO Training Course. Pass the written test.
3. Display knowledge, confidence and political competence in a practical examination given by an experienced AO selected by the Alert/Dispatch Coordinator. This examination will include the candidate acting as AO in several simulated Alert scenarios involving varying complexities and complications of political, organizational and technical nature.
4. Be approved by a simple majority of eligible voters present at a Group business meeting.
5. Be approved by a simple majority of eligible voters present at an ASRC Board of Directors meeting.
VIII. Incident Commander (IC)
A. Requirements:
To become Incident Command qualified, the applicant must:
1. Be an Incident Staff member for at least 6 months;
2. Have participated in at least three (3) active missions as an Incident Staff member, as a part of the decision-making effort for the missions, including:
a) Once as Plans Section Chief; and
b) Once as Operations Section Chief or Division Supervisor.
3. Receive a favorable written performance evaluation from the Incident Commander on each of the three incidents in the previous item;
4. Be proposed for Incident Command certification by an ASRC Incident Commander at an ASRC Board of Director's business meeting; and
5. Receive a simple majority of the vote of the member's group.
6. Receive a favorable two-thirds vote of the ASRC Board of Directors.
B. Recertification:
Incident Command qualified members must meet the following recertification requirements every two calendar years:
1. Serve at least four shifts, divided among at least two different missions, as Operations Section Chief, Plans Section Chief, Incident Commander, Division Supervisor, or Branch Chief. One of these shifts must be as IC. It is the responsibility of the individual IC to provide this documentation to the Board.
2. Maintain ASRC FTL certification.
3. Receive a favorable vote of the ASRC Board of Directors.
4. This recertification process does not preclude an IC being brought before the ASRC Board of Directors for review as needed, at any time.
5. The review cycle period shall begin the first of January of the year following the IC's initial certification.