To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [MSAR] NIMS compliance / FEMA
Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2005 12:56:53 -0800
I'm not sure how discussion got diverted to SAR funding related to NIMS
compliance, since funding specific to SAR isn't currently on the federal
funding radar. While that situation has potential to change due to recent
activities at the national level, currently SAR funding isn't likely to
occur unless locally the authorities choose to dedicate some of their
federal / grant funding for SAR. However, those authorities do need to be
NIMS compliant going forward to be eligible for that funding. And any SAR
team wanting a piece of the federal funding from the local authorities will
need to demonstrate NIMS compliance with appropriate documentation.
Assuming local authorities want to be eligible for substantial federal
funding ...
One clear nationwide NIMS requirement for first responder authorities is the
implementation of ICS at every incident, expanding to NIMS as needed. SAR is
an incident, and therefore falls into the category of needing to use ICS /
NIMS. SAR Management must be using ICS / NIMS. All recognized SAR resources
must know how to function in the command system.
Local (or state) authorities presumably impose certain requirements on their
recognized SAR resources, including volunteers. "Meet X requirements or we
won't / can't call you." If the local requirement is to meet national
standards for SAR, there is already a reference in ASTM F2209 regarding
being familiar with the command system. For some folks, how the local SAR
command system works will change if they haven't been using ICS.
Either existing or going forward, local requirements for SAR will include
knowing (and using) at least the basics of ICS and NIMS simply because ICS /
NIMS must be used at every incident. While there may / may not be any
SAR-related funding involved, all SAR responders will need to have that
training simply to remain on the call-out list. Even if SAR Management is
primarily volunteer, they will still need to work with local authorities
using ICS / NIMS for that incident.
To confirm having the basic training / knowledge, the simplest method is to
go online, study, test, and put a copy of your FEMA certificate in your
personnel folder. Or, find someone who understands ICS and NIMS to teach a
class, then send the students online to test on
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/crslist.asp
The current minimum for generic SAR personnel is IS 100, IS 700. Supervisors
/ team leaders should add IS 200. In 2006 management will need to add ICS
300 and/or 400, which are available as classroom training.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
Tulare Co SAR - Hasty Team ICP Team
www.ceoates.com/sar
Tulare-Kings CERT
www.tk-cert.org