Wilderness Search and Rescue Team

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency

Resource: Wilderness Search and Rescue Team
Category: Search and Rescue (ESF #9) Kind: Team
Minimum Capabilities (Component)	Minimum Capabilities (Metric)	Type I	Type II	Type III	Type IV	Other
Team	Rescue Capabilities	Same as Type II	Backcountry, low-angle evacuation	Same as Type IV	Trained rescue personnel with experience in nontechnical backcountry evacuation/carryouts supported by local technical experts medstore-online.com
Team	Search Capabilities	Capable of conducting self-sustaining full search operations for 72 hours in all weather and low-angle wilderness terrain; Competent and experienced Incident Command staff	Capable of conducting self-sustaining full search operations for 48 hours in all weather and low-angle wilderness terrain; Competent and experienced Incident Command staff	Same as Type IV	Capable of searching high-probability local wilderness terrain for short durations (24 hours or less)
Team	Personnel	At least 6 team leaders and 48 team members to support at least 6 operational field units (at least 1 member of each team must be a medical specialist see below); Management staff following ICS model	At least 4 team leaders and 28 team members to support at least 4 operational field units (at least 1 member of each team must be a medical specialist see below); Management staff following ICS model	At least 2 team leaders and 6 team members to support at least 2 operational field units; Must be supported by local EMS and technical rescue personnel	At least 1 team leader and 3 team members; Must be supported by local EMS and technical rescue personnel
	Medical Specialist	National standard EMT curriculum; ACLS, BTLS	National standard EMT-B curriculum or wilderness first responder; BTLS	Not required supported by local EMS	Not required supported by local EMS
	Overhead Incident Management	Incident staff capable of managing wilderness search operations	Incident staff capable of managing wilderness search operations	Unit level mission release; No search management capabilities	Unit level mission release; No search management capabilities
	Crew Availability	Available for more than 1 full day of operations	Available for more than 1 full day of operations	Available for at least 1 full day of operations	Available for at least 1 full day of operations
	Sustained Operations	72 hours	48 hours	24 hours	24 hours
	Training	Same as Type II, plus: Personnel demonstrate proficiency in mantracking and working with expert mantrackers	Same as Type III, plus: 1 member of each team must be current to the requirements of the medical specialist (see above); Must also be knowledgeable of procedures involved with helicopter transport and coordination with search crews, both ground and air; Must have the ability to operate in an ICS structure, and be able to plan, organize, and direct search and rescue missions; Team members must have training for operations in remote locations for extended periods	Same as Type IV, plus: Proficiency in backcountry navigation (including the ability to triangulate a position, ascertain a UTM, use GPS, and follow a route to a new location using a topographical map and compass); Must be proficient at conducting and directing search lines	Must be able to operate the teams equipment; Team members are not expected to operate in remote field locations for extended periods; Must have basic navigation training using a map and compass; Must have technical proficiency in personal survival in local wilderness terrain; Must have awareness of mantracking and maintaining site integrity. Must have a basic understanding of the ICS; Must have proficiency in hasty search techniques
	Transportation	4x4 vehicles that can transport each team throughout or to the search area	Vehicles that can transport each team throughout or at least to the search area; 4x4s are not required, but recommended	1 vehicle that can transport each team throughout or at least to the search area; 4x4s are not required, but recommended	1 vehicle that can transport the team throughout or at least to the search area; 4x4s are not required, but recommended
Equipment	Clothing	Same as Type II	Same as Type III	Same as Type IV	Appropriate level of PPE for working environment
	Communications	Same as Type II	Same as Type III, plus VHF capability to communicate with aircraft	Same as Type IV, plus VHF communications capability with other teams	VHF Radios for team communications; Cell Phone
	Search & Rescue	Same as Type II	Equipment to support remote extrication and field transport of survivors	None required	None required
	Supplies	Equipped to be self-sustaining for 72 hours in local wilderness environments	Equipped to be self-sustaining for 48 hours in local wilderness environments	Same as Type IV	Equipped to be self-sustaining for 24 hours in local wilderness environments
	Medical	Same as Type II	Same as Type III, plus ability to support survivors	Same as Type IV	As appropriate for level of training, as applied in wilderness environment and meeting local protocols and requirements for support of the team

Comments:

Team members will usually only work a maximum of 12-hour shifts, depending on individual unit policies and procedures. Crew availability does not require continuous availability of specific personnel, only that crews are available to those specifications, though some personnel may have extended assignments in the field. Medical support and technical rescue equipment is expected to be provided by local EMS and other technical rescue personnel for Type III and IV teams.


National Mutual Aid & Resource Management Initiative	Search and Rescue