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

Resource: Swiftwater/Flood Search and Dive Rescue Team
Category: Search & Rescue
Kind: Team
Minimum Capabilities (Component) Minimum Capabilities
(Metric)
Type I Type II Type III Type IV Other
Personnel Number of People

14-member team

6-member team

4-member team

3-member team

 
Technical Animal Rescue Personnel Minimum Number

2

1

1

 

 
ALS Certified Personnel Minimum Number

2

 

 

 

 
Helicopter/Aquatic Rescue Operations Personnel Minimum Number

4

2

 

 

 
Powered Boat Operators Minimum Number

4

2

 

 

 
SCUBA Trained Support Personnel with Equipment Minimum Number

4

2

2

 

 
EMTs Number and Level

EMT-B (14), EMT-P (2)

EMT-B (1)

EMT-B (1)

EMT-B (1)

 
Team Composition

2 managers; 2 squad leaders; 10 personnel

1 squad leader; 5 personnel

1 squad leader; 3 personnel

1 squad leader; 2 personnel

 
Team Sustained Operations

24-hour operations

24-hour operations

18-hour operations

18-hour operations

 
Team Capabilities

Manage search operations; Power vessel operations; Helicopter rescue operational; HazMat; Animal rescue; ALS; Communications; Logistics drugswatcher.com

Manage search operations; Power vessel operations; Helicopter rescue operational; HazMat; Animal rescue; BLS

Assist in search operations; Nonpowered water craft; HazMat; Animal rescue; BLS

Low-risk operations; Land-based; HazMat; BLS

 
Team Specialty S&R Capabilities

In-water contact rescues; Dive rescue; Technical rope systems

In-water contact rescues; Dive rescue; Technical rope systems

In-water contact rescue and dive rescue

 

 
Team Training

Class 3 paddle skills; Contact and self-rescue skills; HazMat; Helicopter operations Awareness; ICS; Swiftwater rescue technician;Technical rope rescue; Divers to have 80 hours of formal public safety diver training

Class 3 paddle skills; Contact and self-rescue skills; HazMat; Helicopter operations Awareness; ICS; Swiftwater rescue technician; Technical rope rescue; Divers to have 60 hours of formal public safety diver training

Class 3 paddle skills; Contact and self-rescue skills; HazMat; ICS; Swiftwater rescue technician; Divers to have 60 hours of formal public safety diver training

Class 3 paddle skills; Contact and self-rescue skills; HazMat; ICS; Swiftwater rescue technician

 
Team Certifications

ALS; Advanced First Aid & CPR

BLS; Advanced First Aid & CPR

BLS; Advanced First Aid & CPR

BLS; Advanced First Aid & CPR

 
Equipment Transportation Resources

Equipment trailer; Personnel support vehicle

 

 

 

 
Communications Equipment Materials and Supplies

Aircraft radio; Batteries; Headset; Portable radios; Cell phone

Aircraft radio; Batteries; Headset; Portable radios; Cell phone

Batteries; Headset; Portable radios; Cell phone

Batteries; Portable radios; Cell phone

 
Medical Equipment Materials and Supplies

ALS medical kit; Blankets; Spineboard; Litter

BLS medical kit; Blankets; Spineboard; Litter

BLS medical kit; Blankets; Litter

BLS medical kit; Blankets

 
Personal Equipment Materials and Supplies

Flares; Markers; Bags; Life vests; Fins; Flashlight; Gloves; HEED; Lamps; Helmets; Light sticks; PFD Type V; Knives; Shoes; whistles

Flares; Markers; Bags; Fins; Life vests; Flashlight; Gloves; HEED; Lamps; Helmets; Light sticks; PFD Type V; Knives; Shoes; Whistles

Flares; Markers; Bags; Fins; Flashlight; Gloves; Lamps; Helmets; Light sticks; PFD Type III/IV; Knives; Shoes; Whistles

Flares; Markers; Bags; Flashlight; Gloves; Helmets; Light sticks; PFD Type III/IV; Knives; Shoes; Whistles

 
SCUBA Equipment Materials and Supplies

SCUBA cylinder; Buoyancy compensator; Weight belt; 2 cutting tools; Chest harness & snap shackle; Full face mask; U/W communication; Dry suit; Search line; Spare SCUBA cylinder

SCUBA cylinder; Buoyancy compensator; Weight belt; 2 cutting tools; Chest harness & snap shackle; Full face mask; U/W communication; Dry suit; Search line; Spare SCUBA cylinder

SCUBA cylinder; Buoyancy compensator; Weight belt; 2 cutting tools; Chest harness & snap shackle; Full face mask; U/W communication; Dry suit; Search line; Spare SCUBA cylinder

 

 
Rescue Boat and Equipment Type and Number

Fueled (2)

Fueled (1)

Non-powered 4 person (1)

 

 

Comments:

Conduct search and rescue operations in all water environments including swiftwater and flood conditions. Water rescue teams come with all team equipment required to safely and effectively conduct operations.


National Mutual Aid & Resource Management Initiative
Search and Rescue