Task Force Team Position Descriptions

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SEARCH MANAGER

Position Description

The Search Manager is responsible for managing and supervising the search function of the task force during incident operations. The Search Manager reports directly to the Task Force Leader.

Description of Duties

The Search Manager is responsible for:

• Developing and implementing the search component of the Task Force Action Plan.
• Coordinating, managing, and supervising all search and reconnaissance activities.
• Supervising the Canine Search Specialists and Technical Search Specialists.
• Adhering to all safety procedures.
• Determining search organizational and logistical needs.
• Receiving briefings and situation reports and ensuring that all search personnel are kept informed of mission objectives and status changes.
• Providing situation updates and maintaining records and reports.
• Accountability, maintenance, and minor repairs for all issued equipment
• Performing additional tasks or duties as assigned during a mission.

Position Requirements and Criteria

Individuals who meet the following requirements and criteria will be eligible to become Search Team Managers in the FEMA US&R Response System. The intent of these requirements is to select functional managers capable of effectively managing and supervising the search component in the urban disaster environment. The requirements and criteria for the position are identified in tie following categories:

Knowledge
Skills
Abilities

Knowledge

1. Must possess an awareness of a broad range of disaster response organizations

2. Knowledgeable about the development and use of integrated action planning concepts and processes

3. Must have a general knowledge about search operations including search dogs, area sectoring, search patterns, victim location, marking techniques, search team organization, and operating procedures.

4. Must be familiar with principles of building construction how buildings may react in a collapsed situation and possible human scent movement through these structures.

5. Must be knowledgeable about basic canine health issues

6. Must have an understanding of technical/electronic search device capabilities, limitations, and procedures

7. Must have completed a trench awareness course

8. Must have an awareness of the hazards associated with the various disaster search environments.

9. Must be familiar with the structural features and conditions that contribute to a high probability of victim survival in a collapsed structure

10. Must have completed basic rope rescue to Operations level in accordance with NFPA 1670

11. Must have an understanding of canine search capabilities, limitations, and procedures

12. Must have a basic knowledge of rescue specialist tools and abilities

13. Must have knowledge of supervisory and personnel management skills.

14. Must have knowledge of US&R operations, strategy, and tactics

15. Practical knowledge of general search strategy and tactics, including:

• Probability of Detection analysis
• Victim behavior patterns in various situations.
• Search pattern selection criteria including terrain, structures, wind, weather, and air circulation characteristics.
• Search Team organization and operational procedures.
• Understanding the capabilities and limitations of technical and electronic search equipment
• Understanding general rescue tactics and strategy

Skills (see general requirements)

Abilities

1. Must possess good interagency coordination skills, work well with technical experts, local officials and other organizations.

2. Must be able to be flexible, to improvise, to share information, resolve conflicts and solve problems.

3. Must be able to manage assigned personnel, specialized equipment, and support resources during a disaster situation

4. Must be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing.

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