Equipment Cache

[gdsqdcr]

I took over the Search and Rescue team for my companies ERT about 14 months ago. My team is finally training regularly, and is finally actually able to perform functions without much delay. I am now being tasked with a new project.

When I joined the ERT (>3 years ago), I was told we were a type 2 rescue team, equipment and training wise. I know a type 2 is good for heavy wall construction collapse, confined space rescue (non-permit) etc ... I can even find this listed on different official websites. What I cannot find is what equipment do we need to have on hand?

So, I pose this question out to all of you. Where can I find a list of required equipment for a Type 2 Search and Rescue team? I can find (have copies) of what FEMA USAR teams carry, but what do I need to carry?

At the same time, what training is required to be a type 2 team?

I am questioning all of this now, as no one here can provide me with documentation stating what we are exactly. I know what people are trained to, and we can do all that is listed under a type 2 rescue, but where is the training required list?

I am in California if that matters.

Thanks!
Anthony

[jmatthe2]

If your department (or State) follows FEMA team typing, take at look at this chart and see if it answers some of your questions.

http://www.fema.gov/emergency/usr/collapse_sar_teams.htm

Knowing what training you should have is simple. Just refer to the chart above and determine if your organization meets the training requirement for that responsibility. Taking a quick look I would say you need Rope Ops, CS Ops, and Trench Ops(at a minimum). There is no VMR requirement listed.

If you are Federal or State funded team than obviously you need to have a specific cache of equipment. (Which is still a considerable amount of equipment) Sometimes those lists don't get updated to include better equipmet, or were written by people who have never actually used the equipment.

Hope this helps.

[gdsqdcr]

Thanks for this info. I have seen this list before but what I am looking for would look something like this:

4 Bolt Cutter
4 Airbags
1 Airbag controller
10 100' rope

etc ...

As for training it would read:
4 EMT-B's
4 HazMat Specialist
4 Rescue Specialist (completed, Confined Space, Trench Rescue, etc ...)

Does a list like this exist?

[MtnRsq]

Check out the documents associated with FIRESCOPE.

http://www.firescope.org/ics-usar/ICS-USR-120-1.pdf

You should also be able to get more information from the CA Office of Emergency Services (OES). The Fire Branch will be your best bet.

[jmatthe2]

I think I found something that may meet your needs.

Florida is very progressive in US&R. They have everything you are asking for posted on this website. Most of files are PDF and provide some good info.

You will need MS Excel to open the equipment cache lists. One the file is open find the list for Type II teams on the tabs at the bottom of the page.

Good luck.

http://www.ffca.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=38

[gdsqdcr]

Thanks for the websites. For whatever reason, my search was not pulling up any of that information.

Again, Thanks!
Anthony