Meet the Teams that Make up OH-TF1
Search
Make-Up
- 2 SearchTeam Managers (STM)
- 2 Technical Search Specialists (TSS)
- 4-6 K-9 Teams of 1 dog and 1 handler who are FEMA certified.
K-9 Search Team
All FEMA Search dogs are trained for Live Scent finds or Human Remains (cadaver). The use of these crews allow for rapid initial search of a structure. Providing for speed and safety of rescuers.
Search Operations
Search Team Managers with OH-TF1 are capable and trained to manage coordinated search efforts in both large-scale operations over large geographic regions as is the case for hurricanes and tornadoes or localized structural collapse
Tech Search Equipment
Technical Search Specialist have at their disposal numerous state-of-the-art-tools
- Sound Sensing Devices
- Search Cameras
- Global Positioning Systems
Rescue
Make-Up
- 2 Rescue Team Managers (RTM)
- 4 Rescue Squads = Squad Officer + 5 Rescue Specialists (RSO/RS)
- 2 Structural Specialists (StS)
- 2 Heavy Equipment Rigging Specialist (HERS)
Training (NFPA Levels)
- Rope Technicians
- Confined Space Technicians
- Trench Technicians
- Structural Collapse Technician
- Auto/Machinery Extrication Tech
- Swift Water Technicians
- HazMat Ops and Technicians
Capabilities
These teams are capable of 24-hour operations and have the ability to breech concrete or steel structures while under the supervision of a structural engineer to perform building shoring and heavy lifting and rigging operations.
Haz-Mat
Make-up
2 HazMat Team Managers (HTM)
8 HazMat Specialists (HMS)
Capabilities
- Primary responsibility is the detection of hazardous environments for the rescuers safety.
- these specialists have the ability to detect hazards with a variety of detection devices to include limited WMD events.
- The HazMat team supports the Task Force's ability to operate in a contaminated environment specific to the agent detected
- US&R HazMat teams do not have the mission of mitigating hazardous materials incidents
- Decon capabilities are limited to emergency decon and decon of rescue personnel and small numbers of rescued victims only.
Medical
Make-up
- 2 Physicians
- 4 Paramedics or Nurses
Capabilities
- The primary responsibility of the Medical team is the well-being of Task Force members and the attached K-9s.
- Their specialized training allows for care of entrapped or critically injured civilians.
- Supervision and responsibility for the pharmaceutical and medical cache, which can provide support for 10 critical and 25 minor injuries, as well as major medical procedures performed in the field.
The Task Force does not have the capability to transport patients to definitive care, Additionally, the Task Force does not possess the capability to care for mass numbers of civilians. A FEMA US&R Task Force is not a DMAT.
Planning
Make-up
- 2 Planning Team Managers (PTM)
- 2 Technical Information Specialists (TIS)
Capabilities
- Assess the current situation and try to anticipate changes in status
- Develop tactical and strategic objectives; both short and long term
- Plan ahead for the next operating cycle
- Implement a Plan of Action based of needs, resources, and capabilities
- Evaluate information gathered during the Operating Period
- Thoroughly document all TF activities during each deployment.
Logistics
Make-up
- 2 Logistic Team Managers (LTM)
- 6 Logistic Specialists (LS)
- 10 Ground Support Specialists (GSS)
- 2 Communication Specialist (COM)
Capabilities
- Coordinating the packaging, transporting, distribution, and maintenance of the task force equipment cache prior, during, and subsequent to mission assignments
- Coordinating with military and/or civilian officials for transportation needs
- Ensuring accountability and security of the task force equipment cache
- Maintaining accurate and timely records and reports
- Adhering to all safety procedures
- Maintains and repairs the task force equipment cache
- Management of task force facilities and fleet
- Completion of all task force transportation documents (cargo manifest, shipping declarations, bills of lading, etc.)
- Ensuring accountability for all task force equipment