SeARCh & ReSCue - TEEX - Texas Engineering Extension Service ...

Search & Rescue 

TRAINING CATALOG 

Texas Engineering Extension Service

Contents 

US&R Rescue Program 4 

Structural Collapse – Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Collapse Rescue Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 

Structural Collapse Technician 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 

Advanced Structural Collapse 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 

Advanced Structural Collapse 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 

Medical Considerations for the Rescue Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Rescue in a Contaminated Environment (RICE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 

US&R Search Program 7 

Disaster Technical Search Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 

Disaster Canine Search Specialist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Disaster Canine Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Wilderness Search and Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Wide Area Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

US&R Hazardous Materials Specialist Program 9 

WMD - Enhanced US&R Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

WMD Considerations for US&R Hazardous Materials Specialists. . . . . . 9 

Swift Water & Flood Rescue Program 10 

Swift Water Rescue – Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Swift Water Rescue – Enhanced Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Swift Water Rescue – Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Swift Water Rescue – Operations Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Swift Water Rescue – Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

US&R Medical Program 12 

Disaster Medical Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

WMD Considerations for the Medical Specialist. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

US&R Command Staff Program 13 

Search and Rescue Task Force Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Search and Rescue Plans Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Search and Rescue Safety Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Search and Rescue Communications Specialist. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Disaster Logistics Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

ICS for Structural Collapse Incidents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

Developing a State/Regional CBRNE Task Force (DHS G&T course: MGT-316).15 

International US&R Program 16 

International Urban Search and Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

International Structural Collapse Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Full-Scale Exercise Program 17 

Full-Scale Exercise Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Disaster City® and Texas Task Force 1 Overview 18 

TEEX Overview 19 

This course can be taught in Disaster City® 

This course can be taught at a jurisdiction 

within the United States.* 

2 

This course can be taught overseas.* 

*Specific requirements must be met for TEEX to deliver a 

course outside of Disaster City®

Disaster City® 

Preparing search and rescue teams worldwide for the unthinkable is what sets TEEX and its renowned Disaster City ® apart from other 

training facilities. Located adjacent to the Brayton Fire Training Field in College Station, Disaster City ® is the only facility anywhere 

that allows emergency responders to practice search and rescue skills on life-sized, collapsed buildings and damaged infrastructure. The 

52-acre urban search and rescue training facility delivers the full array of skills and techniques needed by teams facing threats from manmade 

and natural disasters. 

3

US&R Rescue Program 

www. 

.org/USAR 


TNG23A - Structural Collapse – Awareness 

4 Hours 

The Structural Collapse Awareness course is designed to provide participants 

with the knowledge, skills and abilities to understand the complexity of a structural 

collapse incident and work safely near and control a structural collapse incident. 

Participants will learn the dangers and risks associated with structural collapse incidents. 

Participants will understand the basics of scene organization and safety, resources available 

to structural collapse rescues, hazards on scene, and conducting visual and verbal 

searches. 

This course meets NFPA 1670 for jurisdictions that wish to have personnel trained to the 

Structural Collapse Awareness level. 

Topics 

• Recognize the need for a structural collapse search and rescue 

• Identify resources necessary to conduct structural collapse rescue 

• Initiate the emergency response system for structural collapse incidents 

• Initiating site control and scene management 

• Hazard recognition including construction types and materials 

• Identify the five types of collapse patterns and potential victim locations 

• Recognize potential for secondary collapse 

• Conduct visual and verbal searches 

• FEMA marking systems 

• Removing readily accessible victims 

TNG23R - Collapse Rescue Operations 

50 Hours (5 days) 

The Collapse Rescue Operations course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities 

to perform rescue at structural collapse scenes due to natural disasters or terrorist incidents. 

This course meets and exceeds NFPA 1670 for structural collapse operations. In addition, this course completes 

the requirements for structural collapse technician NFPA 1006 when combined with the ICS pre-requisites and 

knowledge, skills and abilities in the search of collapse structures, heavy rigging, and pre hospital EMS skills. 

Topics 

• Rescuer safety 

• Structural engineering systems 

• Building construction as related to 

disaster situations 

• Rescue operations strategy and tactics 

• Rescue operational procedures 

• Rescue support operations 

• Breaching and breaking operations (1 day) 

• Lifting and moving operations (1 day) 

• Emergency building shoring (1 day) 

TNG23T - Structural Collapse Technician 2 


The Structural Collapse Technician 2 course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities 

to perform rescue at structural collapse scenes due to natural disasters or terrorist incidents. This course 

differs from the Collapse Rescue Operations as it provides increased time to perform more in-depth skill sets as 

required by the FEMA US&R curriculum. TEEX makes every effort to ensure consistent terminology and training 

within the discipline of urban search and rescue, so this course mirrors the FEMA US&R curriculum. 

This course meets and exceeds NFPA 1670 and NFPA 1006 for Structural Collapse Technician. 

Topics 








• Breaching and breaking operations 

with concrete and steel structures (2 days) 

• Lifting and moving operations (2 days) 

• Emergency building shoring (2 days) 

4 

For prerequisites, gear requirements and complete course information, go to www.TEEX.org/USAR


TNG25S - Advanced Structural Collapse 3 


The TEEX Structural Collapse Technician 2 books and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Shoring Operations Guide (SOG) contain significant 

additional information and techniques that cannot be covered during a standard 80-hour structural collapse course. The Advanced Structural 

Collapse 3 course challenges the Structural Collapse Technician with advanced exterior shoring problems and takes the participant’s skills to the 

next level. Students will expand their knowledge of wood shores with multiple insertion point shores, shoring of arches and breached openings. 

This course concludes with an intensive and realistic daytime exterior shoring exercise in which the students employ skills learned during the 

course. Students are provided with multiple scenarios requiring a combination of advanced rescue and exterior shoring techniques. 

Topics 


• Exterior shoring size-up and shoring systems 



• Exterior raker shores (both single and multiple 

insertion points) 

• Heavy cribbing 

• Confined-space shoring 

TNG26S - Advanced Structural Collapse 4 


The TEEX Structural Collapse Technician 2 books and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Shoring Operations Guide (SOG) contain significant 

additional information and techniques that can not be covered during a standard 80 hour structural collapse course. The Advanced Structural 

Collapse 4 course takes the Structural Collapse Technician even further with advanced interior shoring problems. Students will become proficient 

in various interior shoring systems, including compound laced post, compound sloped-floor shores, confined space shoring, as well as 

tie-backs. The use of crane support in shoring operations will be practiced. This course concludes with an intensive and realistic night-time 

exercise in which the student will employ skills learned during the course. The students are provided multiple scenarios requiring a combination 

of advanced rescue and interior shoring techniques. 

Topics 


• Shoring size-up and shoring systems 

• Building construction as related to disaster situations 

• Raker shores (both single and multiple insertion point) 

• Compound laced post 

• Compound sloped-floor shores 

• Confined-space shoring 

• Tie-backs (wire ropes, slings, and rods) 

• Crane support in shoring operations 

• Window, door, arches, breached opening shoring 

Texas Engineering Extension Service 

5


www. 

.org/USAR 

TNG24Z - Medical Considerations for the Rescue Technician 


The Medical Considerations for the Rescue Technician course is designed to provide members of a US&R rescue squad with the knowledge, 

skills and abilities to perform some limited medical assessment and treatment of victims during the rescue phase of a structural collapse or 

terrorism incident. During the extended extrication of a victim in a structural collapse environment, the rescue squad will be in close contact 

with the victim and continually checking their status. This course is not designed to replace the role of the Disaster Medical Specialist (TNG 

30S), who is the medically trained member of the US&R team and provides high level medical care to the victim upon extrication. This course 

provides training to rescue squad members so they may assist the Disaster Medical Specialist or obtain valuable information from the patient 

while awaiting arrival of the Disaster Medical Specialist. This course educates rescue squad members to the unique medical considerations 

found in a structural collapse environment, including crush syndrome, airway management issues, and prolonged exposure in the collapsed 

structure. This course provides rescue squad members with the understanding of the unique considerations and information vital to pass on to 

the Disaster Medical Specialist (TNG 30S) waiting for hands-on access to the patient. 

Topics 

• Injuries specific to structural collapse environments 

• Evaluation of partially accessible patients 

• Patient packaging in a structural collapse environment 

• Medical cache familiarization 

• Case studies: injuries, interventions, and field amputations 

TNG63S - Rescue in a Contaminated Environment (RICE) 


The Rescue in a Contaminated Environment course is designed to provide a Structural Collapse Technician with the opportunity for practical 

application of urban search and rescue techniques in a simulated Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) environment. 

The students receive instruction on the hazards and special considerations of performing urban search and rescue operations, including breaching 

and breaking, in a contaminated environment. All rescue exercises are conducted in Level B Suits with SCBAs. 

Topics 

• Rescuer safety in a CBRNE environment 

• Chemical, biological, radiological detection 


• Rescue operations strategy and tactics with CBRNE considerations 

• Rescue operational procedures in a CBRNE environment 

• Rescue support operations in a CBRNE environment 

• Breaching and breaking operations in a CBRNE environment 

• Lifting and moving operations in a CBRNE environment 

• Emergency building shoring in a CBRNE environment 

• Decontamination in a CBRNE environment 

6 


US&R Search Program 

TNG11S - Disaster Technical Search Specialist 


The Disaster Technical Search Specialist course is designed to provide the students 

with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform technical searches of CBRNE and/ 

or structural collapse incident scenes. A heavy focus is placed on listening devices, 

search cameras and GPS-enabled location techniques. This course includes an 

intensive and realistic nighttime exercise in which the student will employ skills 

learned during the course. TEEX makes every effort to ensure consistent terminology 

and training within the discipline of urban search and rescue. This course mirrors 

the FEMA US&R curriculum but does not provide FEMA certification. 


Topics 

• Structural engineering 

• Structural operations 

• Navigation & GPS 

TNG10S - Disaster Canine Search Specialist 


The Disaster Canine Specialist course teaches the basic skills necessary for a Disaster Canine Team (handler 

and canine) to work safely and reliably in a collapsed structure environment. This course is also appropriate 

for the Canine Handler who is “between” dogs, and as such, the course also teaches the handler what to look 

for in selecting a new canine partner and what skills the canine needs to be able to perform. For the Search 

Manager, the course teaches what to look for when selecting canine teams, what standards the canine team 

should be trained to, and the level of support that the teams will need to be successful. TEEX makes every 

effort to ensure consistent terminology and training within the discipline of urban search and rescue, so this 

course mirrors the FEMA US&R curriculum but does not provide FEMA certification. 

Topics 

• Mission preparedness 

• Safety, security and survival 

• Canine behavior and drive 

• Role of the helper 

• Obedience 

• Bark alert 

• Listening systems 

• Visual systems (search cameras) 

• Safety and security 

• Directability 

• Agility 

• Rubble search 

• Search strategy and tactics 

• Canine first aid 

• Scent theory 

In addition, the Texas Task Force 1 Canine Program Manager 

will brief participants on: 

• Selecting canine(s) 

• Developing a canine training program 

TNG13Z - Disaster Canine Workshop 

8 Hours (1 day) 

The Disaster Canine Workshop is a series taught various times throughout the year. The workshop addresses 

current training needs within the state of Texas and continually improves and/or expands modules to meet 

participant expectations. The series is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities 

necessary to work as a First Responder Canine Handler. This course does not certify the Canine Team, but 

instead provides the ability to test the handler and canine in various disaster and/or urban search and rescue 

environments. This course can be tailored or expanded to meet the particular needs of your state or regional 

team. This workshop should be viewed as quarterly training, and each quarter it is a different set of modules, 

covering different topics relating to canine search and rescue. 

Topics 

• Overview of state disaster response system 

• Training the disaster dog in bark and 

• Overview of a Task Force mission 

reward systems 

• Selection process for Task Force canines 

• Canine first aid 

• Swiftwater awareness and considerations for Canine • SAR clothing 

Teams in water search operations 

• Survival & improvisation 

• Confined space awareness for Canine Teams 

• Safety in a search and rescue environment 

• HazMat awareness for Canine Teams in search operations • Navigation, map reading and compass 

• Training the disaster dog in obedience 

operations 

• Training the disaster dog in agility 

• Passive and active search techniques 

• Training the disaster dog in direction and control • Anatomy of a search and rescue incident 

Texas Engineering Extension Service 7


www. 

.org/USAR 

TNG14O - Wilderness Search and Rescue 


The Wilderness Search and Rescue course is designed to provide the students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform search and 

rescue operations in a wilderness environment. A heavy focus is placed on search techniques, navigation and practical skill exercises. 

Topics 

• Rescue versus recovery 

• Clue awareness 

• Introduction to canine search operations 

• Search theory & sweep width 

• Lost person behavior 

• Handling evidence 

• SAR clothing 

• Survival & improvisation 

• Safety in a search and rescue environment 

• Navigation, map reading and compass operations 

• Passive and active search techniques 

• Anatomy of a search and rescue incident 

OGT500 - Wide Area Search 


The Wide Area Search course is grant funded by the Department of Homeland Security. The course is provided on-site for eligible jurisdictions 

around the United States. This course is applicable to jurisdictions that would need to conduct wide area searches due to a natural disaster or 

terrorist incident. Participants will learn the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform wide area searches at a disaster incident site by using the 

2007 Greensburg, KS tornado as a case study. The course concludes with a table top exercise that requires participants to utilize the previous 

three days of instruction. The curriculum of this course is based on lessons learned from search and rescue deployments to the space shuttle 

Columbia recovery, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, Hurricane Dolly, and other wide area search incidents. 

Topics 

• Preparedness 

• Information Management and Planning 

• Mapping 

• Search Strategies and Skills 

• Communication 

• Team Management 

• Field Exercise 

8 


US&R HazMat Specialist Program 

TNG61O - WMD – Enhanced US&R Operations 


The WMD - Enhanced US&R Operations course is designed to provide all members (Fire Service, Law Enforcement, 

EMS, Public Works, or Military) of a US&R capable task force or team the necessary knowledge, skills 

and abilities to support and understand the special considerations when deploying and operating in a CBRNE 

environment. It is not feasible for all task force members to be Hazardous Materials Technicians, but this course 

provides a basic understanding of the limitations and requirements of a task force when conducting operations 

in a CBRNE environment. This course provides training to task force members so they can assist the US&R 

Hazardous Materials Specialist during operations and decontamination. 

Topics 

• Urban search and rescue in a contaminated environment 

• The urban search and rescue operational environment 

• Urban search and rescue CBRNE personal protective equipment 

• Standardized decontamination procedures 

• Procedures for administering the Mark I Nerve Agent Antidote Kit 

• Chemical agent reference material 

US&R Hazardous Materials Specialist Program 

TNG60Z - WMD Considerations for US&R 

Hazardous Materials Specialists 


The WMD Considerations for US&R Hazardous Materials Specialists course is designed to provide members of 

a US&R Hazardous Materials team with the knowledge, skills and abilities to support operations in a WMD or 

hazardous materials environment due to a structural collapse or terrorism incident. 

This course is designed to provide additional advanced education to a certified Hazardous Materials Technician 

so that they can fill the position of US&R Hazardous Materials Specialist on a US&R Task Force. The US&R Hazardous 

Materials Specialist supports the search teams and rescue teams when conducting operations in known or 

suspected hazardous environments. The US&R Hazardous Materials Specialist determines appropriate personal 

protective equipment and provides team members with monitoring, detection, and sampling. Participants in 

this course will review the chemical, physiological properties of possible agents, as well as the characteristics 

of biological and radioactive material. Additionally, participants will also review the tactical considerations of 

working in a WMD/Hazardous Materials environment and conduct a tabletop exercise. 

Topics 

• Chemical and physical properties of agents 

• Characteristics of biological and radiological material 

• Personal protective equipment 

• Monitoring, detection, and sampling 

• Operation of the ADP200 

• Tactical considerations 

• Tabletop exercise 


US&R Swift Water & Flood Rescue Program 

www. 

.org/USAR 


TNG80A - Swift Water Rescue – Awareness 

4 Hours 

The Swift Water Rescue course prepares participants to support swift water 

rescue operations. Any responder (Fire Service, Law Enforcement, EMS, or Public Works) 

that is within 10 feet of the water’s edge during a swift water or flood incident should 

receive the Swift Water Awareness or Enhanced Awareness course. This course reviews 

proper safety at a swift water incident and appropriate personal protective equipment. 

Students discuss the importance of scene safety and management, and general hazards. 

This course teaches all the knowledge and skills required to perform at the Awareness 

level. Awareness level courses are designed for responders who require the skills necessary 

to recognize and support a swift water incident. The Awareness level course provides 

an overview of specific rescue situations and precautions that responders should 

utilize on scene of a swift water incident. 

Topics 

• Recognize the need for water search and rescue 

• Implementing the assessment phase 

• Identifying the resources necessary to conduct safe and effective water operations 

• Implementing the emergency response system for water incidents 

• Implementing site control and scene management 

• Recognizing general hazards associated with water incidents 

• Determining rescue versus body recovery 

• Personal protective and team equipment 

• Basic shore-based search techniques 

• Assisting with deploying and recovering watercraft 

• Shore-based rescue skills 

TNG80E - Swift Water Rescue – Enhanced Awareness 


The Swift Water Rescue – Enhanced Awareness course prepares participants to support swift water 

rescue operations. This course provides the same classroom information as the Swift Water Rescue – Awareness 

(TNG-80A) course with the addition of two water-based modules: two hours of rope throw bag skills and two 

hours of drown proofing of the participants. Any responder (Fire Service, Law Enforcement, EMS, Public Works, 

or Military) that is within 10 feet of the water’s edge during a swift water or flood incident should receive the 

Swift Water Awareness or Enhanced Awareness course. This course reviews proper responder safety at a swift 

water incident and appropriate personal protective equipment. Students discuss the importance of personal 

safety equipment, swift water dynamics and hydrology, and shore-based rescues. This course teaches all the 

knowledge and skills required to perform at the Awareness level. Awareness level courses are designed for 

responders who require the skills necessary to recognize and support a swift water incident. The Awareness 

level course provides an overview of specific rescue situations and precautions that responders should utilize 

on scene of a swift water incident. 

Topics 

· Recognize the need for water search and rescue 

· Implementing the assessment phase 

· Identifying the resources necessary to conduct safe and 

effective water operations 

· Implementing the emergency response system for 

water incidents 

· Implementing site control and scene management 

· Recognizing general hazards associated with water incidents 

· Determining rescue versus body recovery 

· Personal protective and team equipment 

· Basic shore-based search techniques 

· Assisting with deploying and recovering watercraft 

· Additional hands-on modules: 

- Using throw bags 

- Drown proofing and basic water survival skills 

10 


TNG80O - Swift Water Rescue – Operations 


The Swift Water Rescue – Operations course is the first two days of the TNG-80T (Swift Water Rescue – Technician) course. It is two days in length, 

eight hours of instruction each day, and prepares participants for defensive rescue situations involving floods and swift-moving water. Students 

gain classroom and hands-on experience in preplanning and organization, personal safety equipment, swift-water dynamics and hydrology, 

medical considerations in water rescues, self-rescue techniques, and shore-based rescues and the role of watercraft in swift water rescue. This 

course teaches all the knowledge and skills required for jurisdictions to perform swift water rescues at the Operations level. This course is a 

prerequisite for the TNG-80U (Swift Water Rescue – Operations Upgrade) course. This course is offered on the two days before the Swift Water 

Rescue - Operations Upgrade (TNG80U) course. Students have the option upon the successful completion of this course to attend the TNG-80U 

(Swift Water Rescue – Operations Upgrade) course the same week, or return to complete it at a later date. 


Topics 

· Swift water hydrology 

· River dynamics & size-up of flood and swift water rescue 

· Developing pre-planning 

· Conducting shore-based rescue operations 

· Using throw bags 

· Shore-based rescue skills 

· Assisting technicians with rope and mechanical advantage systems 

· Deploying, operating, and recovering watercraft 

· Boat-assisted and boat-based operations 


· Medical considerations 

· Panic, survival, self-rescue, and personal safety 

TNG80U - Swift Water Rescue – Operations Upgrade 


The Swift Water Rescue – Operations Upgrade course is two days in length, eight hours of instruction each day, and prepares participants for 

offensive rescue situations involving floods and swift moving water. Students gain classroom and hands-on experience with in-water contact 

rescues, to include: tethered swimmer, zip lines, and utilize non-powered boats and the role of watercraft. 

This course is only for students that have successfully completed the 16-hour Swift Water Rescue – Operations course (TNG-80O) or 

equivalent. The TNG-80U course will bring a Swift Water Rescue - Operations trained person to the Technician level. 

Topics 




· Tethered swimmer 

· Zip lines 

· Tension diagonals 


TNG80Z -Swift Water Rescue – Technician 


The Swift Water Rescue - Technician course is four days in length, eight hours of instruction each day, and prepares participants for offensive 

rescue situations involving floods and swift moving water. Students gain classroom and hands-on experience in preplanning and organization, 

personal safety equipment, swift water dynamics and hydrology, medical considerations in water rescues, self-rescue techniques, shore-based 

rescues, in-water contact rescues and the role of watercraft and helicopters in swift water rescue. Any responder (Fire Service, Law Enforcement, 

EMS, Public Works, and Military) that will be conducting offensive rescues during a swift water or flood incident should receive the Swift Water 

Technician course. 

This course teaches all the knowledge and skills required to perform swift water rescues at the Technician Level. The first two days of this course 

is TNG80O (Swift Water Rescue – Operations) and the second two days of this course is TNG80U (Swift Water Rescue – Operations Upgrade). 

Topics 

· Swift water hydrology 

· River dynamics & size-up of flood and swift water rescue 

· Developing pre-planning 

· Conducting shore-based rescue operations 

· Using rope throw bags 

· Constructing and utilizing rope and mechanical advantage systems 





· Panic, survival, self-rescue, and personal safety 

· Shore-based rescue skills 

· Conducting in-water rescues during the day and night 

· In-water rescues by helicopter 


US&R Medical Program 

www. 

.org/USAR 

US&R Medical Specialist Program 

TNG30S - Disaster Medical Specialist 


The Disaster Medical Specialist course is designed to 

provide the students with the knowledge, skills and abilities 

to perform medical assessment and care at a structural 

collapse disaster scene due to natural disasters or terrorist incidents. This course exposes 

the student to the injury types consistent with structural collapse incidents. A heavy 

focus is placed on providing medical care in a confined space. This course is 50 percent 

classroom and 50 percent field-based exercises. This course also provides a half day on 

search canine veterinary care because medical specialists would be the first to treat 

injured search canines on scene. A prerequisite of this course is that the participant is a 

registered EMT-P (paramedic), registered nurse, or licensed doctor. 

TEEX makes every effort to ensure consistent terminology and training within the discipline 

of urban search and rescue, so this course mirrors the FEMA US&R curriculum but 

does not provide FEMA certification. 

Topics 

• Public health and environmental issues 

• Sudden onset calamities 

• Victim medical problems 

• Crush syndrome 

• Improvised explosive device and blast injuries 

• Confined space medical and tactical care considerations and operations 

• Austere care 

• Mainstays of patient care 

• Search canine veterinary care 

TNG31Z - WMD Considerations for Medical Specialists 


The WMD Considerations for Medical Specialists course is designed to provide members of a US&R 

Medical Team with the knowledge, skills and abilities to provide medical support to a task force operating in a 

WMD or hazardous materials environment due to a structural collapse or terrorism incident. 

This course is designed to provide additional advanced education to a Disaster Medical Specialist. This course 

is appropriate for members of a US&R Medical Team that will be required to medically support the search teams 

and rescue teams which are conducting operations in known or suspected hazardous environments. This course 

builds upon the Disaster Medical Specialist course and provides additional specific information on procedures to 

prevent secondary contamination of emergency medical personnel at a WMD Incident. Participants will understand 

the issues associated with body substance isolation, and decontamination of medical specialists responding 

to a WMD incident. Participants will be given a potential target hazard scenario for a WMD incident and then 

required to develop a medical safety plan that addresses appropriate PPE and monitoring considerations for use 

by the US&R Medical Team. Participants will understand the importance of detection and monitoring in a WMD 

environment. Participants will discuss on-scene medical care for casualties of a WMD incident. Additionally, participants 

will be given a multicasualty scenario involving WMD materials and be required to construct a patient 

treatment plan. 

Topics 

• Self-protection for medical providers 

• Issues associated with secondary contamination & body 

substance isolation 

• Decontamination for US&R Medical Team members 

• Medical responder protection 

• Importance of detection and monitoring 

• Personal protective equipment 

• Developing a medical safety plan 

• On-scene medical care 

• Constructing a patient treatment plan 

12 


US&R Command Staff Program 

TNG55Z - Task Force Leader 


The Task Force Leader course is designed to provide the participants with the knowledge, 

skills and abilities to understand the responsibilities of a Task Force Leader for a 

CBRNE-capable Type 1 Urban Search and Rescue Task Force. This course is also appropriate 

for those that would be a Task Force Leader for a Type 2 or 3 US&R task force and/ 

or strike team. This course addresses the administrative and operational requirements 

that a Task Force Leader is faced with during an incident response. The Task Force Leader 

will learn the tasks of coordinating and supervising the readiness and deployment 

of a team of specialists and managers within the six major functional areas of a task 

force: command, logistics, planning, search, medical, and rescue. Participants learn the 

interdependence of the six major functional areas and how to effectively manage those 

interactions. 


Topics 

• Task Force Leader roles and responsibilities 

• FEMA Incident Support Team (IST) overview 

• Task force program management 

• Legal and liability issues 

• Logistics 

• Task force management 

• Task force tactical operations 

- Chronology and sequencing 

- Decision making process 

- Coordination 

- WMD and CBRNE considerations 

- Reconnaissance & search 

- Rescue & medical operations 

• Demobilization and post mission requirements 

TNG 53Z - Search and Rescue Plans Officer 


The Search and Rescue Plans Officer course is designed to provide the participants with the knowledge, skills and 

abilities to perform as a member of the Plans Team or as a Technical Information Specialists on a Type 1 deployed 

CBRNE capable US&R task force. This course trains responders to work as a part of a Plans Team before, during 

and after an urban search and rescue incident. Each jurisdiction should send two participants to the course; 

one plans officer and one technical information specialist. The two participants will work together during the 

tabletop exercises just as they would during an actual incident. A heavy focus is placed on 24-hour operations, 

long term planning and use of the ICS forms and documentation. This class is also appropriate for responders 

who would serve as the Plans Officer or Technical Information Specialist for a Swift Water Task Force or Swift Water 

Strike Team. 

This course was initially designed by FEMA for those working as a Plans Officer or Technical Information Specialist 

for a Type 1 FEMA National US&R Task Force. 

TEEX makes every effort to ensure consistent terminology and training within the discipline of urban search and 

rescue, so this course mirrors the FEMA US&R curriculum but does not provide FEMA certification. 

Topics 

• Overview of the US&R planning process 

• Pre-incident planning activities 

• Task force advisory, alert and activation 

• Initial on-site operations 

• Mapping & displays 

• GPS /computer interface and integration 

• Incident photography and worksite 

documentation 

• Situation reporting 

• Demobilization planning 

• After-action reporting & image preservation 


13


www. 

.org/USAR 

TNG54Z - Search and Rescue Safety Officer 


The Search and Rescue Safety Officer course is designed to provide the participants with the knowledge, skills and abilities to oversee first 

responder safety during a Task Force or Strike Team incident response. Participants will learn how to apply Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (OSHA) regulations and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards to search and rescue operations. Additionally, the 

participants will be able to identify different types of damaged structures, the hazards most common to damaged structures, and the methods 

that have been used to mitigate those hazards. 

Topics 

• Safety rules, regulations and standards applicable at the Search and rescue incident 

• Identifying hazards at the search and rescue incident 

• Monitoring and mitigation at the search and rescue incident 

• Accident investigation at the search and rescue incident 

• NIMS and the incident command system 

• Risk management at the search and rescue incident 

• Structural collapse risk analysis 

The course contains multiple exercises applying all knowledge, skills, and 

abilities gained during duration of the course. 

TNG70S - Search and Rescue Communications Specialist 


The Search and Rescue Communications Specialist course is 46 hours, five days in length, approximately nine hours of instruction each day, 

and is designed to provide the participants with the knowledge, skills and abilities to establish, manage, and troubleshoot all levels of communications 

for a Task Force or Strike Team incident response. Participants will learn how establish and utilize radio and satellite communication 

systems in austere environments during US&R operations. 

TEEX makes every effort to ensure consistent terminology and training within the discipline of urban search and rescue, so this course mirrors 

the FEMA US&R curriculum but does not provide FEMA certification. 

Topics 

• Communication specialist roles and responsibilities 

• Communication procedures and practices 

• Information & communication security 

• Health and safety considerations 

• US&R response system 

• Incident support requirements 

• Communication cache & accountability 

• NIMS & ICS forms and procedures 

• Developing a communications plan 

• Frequency issues and interoperability 

• Operational considerations, coverage zones, and troubleshooting 

• Task force communications training 

• Communication-based practical field exercise 

14 For prerequisites, gear requirements and complete course information, go to www.TEEX.org/USAR

TNG40S - Disaster Logistics Specialist 


The Disaster Logistics Specialist course is designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge, skills and abilities to perform 

logistics function during a disaster or a planned event. Keeping an all-risk environment in mind, this course exposes the student to essential 

requirements of providing support, re-supply, transportation, sustenance and maintenance of a disaster or planned event equipment and the 

personnel. TEEX makes every effort to ensure consistent terminology and training within the discipline of the Incident Command System and the 

National Incident Management System. Therefore it explores all six of the logistics section unit functions and their respective interactions and 

responsibilities. 

Topics 

• Facilities Unit 

• Supply Unit 

• Ground Support Unit 

• Food Unit 

• Medical Unit 

• Hazardous Materials Transportation Awareness 

• Communications Unit 


TNG58Z - ICS for Structural Collapse Incidents 


The ICS for Structural Collapse Incidents course is designed to provide members of a US&R command staff with the knowledge, skills and abilities 

to perform leadership at structural collapse scenes due to natural disasters or terrorist incidents. This course is specifically designed for participants 

who already have an understanding of the Incident Command System and builds upon the ICS 100 and 200 level training. This course is 

designed to provide fire officers and Task Force Leaders with the understanding of command operations at structural collapse incidents. 

Topics 

• Describing the aspects of a structural collapse 

• Explaining basic command procedures and ICS organizational structure 

• Identifying various resource levels, types, and capabilities used for 

structural collapse incidents 

• Identifying critical factors and issues that affect scene management 

• Describing all unique operational considerations used at a structural collapse incident 

• Describing all response operations phases associated with a structural collapse incident 

• Describing the technical rescue expertise and equipment required for safe operations and 

effective incident management 

MGT316 - Developing a State/Regional CBRNE Task Force 


The Developing a State/Regional CBRNE task force course is designed to provide the sponsoring jurisdiction with the knowledge to develop, 

train, sustain and deploy a task force capable of conducting offensive operations at incidents involving chemicals, biological agents, radiation, 

nuclear material or explosives. This course includes instructor-led discussions, small group writing assignments and presentations. All course 

students will actively work together during the course to write a concept plan for their regional task force. 

Topics 

• Function of a CBRNE task force 

• Task force concept plan 

• Task force training and equipment 

• Task force personnel selection 

• Activation and deployment 


15

International US&R Program 

www. 

.org/USAR 

International US&R Program 

TNG91Z - International Urban Search and Rescue 

100 Hours (10 days of instruction) 

The International Urban Search and Rescue course is designed to provide students with 

the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform rescue at structural collapse scenes due to 

natural disasters or terrorist incidents. This course is specifically designed for students 

located outside the United States and provides a number of learning modules at the beginning 

of the course which will provide necessary prerequisite knowledge. This course 

exposes students to the most advanced knowledge available for structural collapse incidents. 

Additionally, students have the option to tailor certain modules to meet the urban 

conditions specific to their home country. 

Topics 







• Breaching and breaking operations with concrete and steel structures 

• Lifting and moving operations 

• Emergency building shoring 

Additional Modules 

• Search management 

• Search operations and mapping 

• Patient packaging 

• Canine search 

• GPS 

TNG90T - International Structural Collapse Rescue 

80 Hours (8-10 days, depending on schedule) 

This course is typically 80 hours, eight days in length, 10 hours of instruction each day. The length and content 

of the course can be adjusted to meet the requirements of the jurisdiction. The International Structural Collapse 

Rescue course is offered on location and utilizes equipment supplied by the customer. The course is designed 

to provide the participants with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform rescue at structural collapse scene 

due to natural disasters or terrorist incidents. This course is the same as TNG91Z but excludes the 20 hours of 

additional modules. This course is specifically designed for jurisdictions located outside the United States and 

provides jurisdictions the opportunity to train in their area, utilize their own equipment, and test their local 

response procedures. TEEX will work with the jurisdiction on the type and quantity of rescue equipment that will 

be utilized during this course. This course is delivered outside the United States at a local jurisdiction and utilizes 

the equipment available to the host jurisdiction. 

This course is custom built to the needs of the host jurisdiction. The core course objectives mirror the Structural 

Collapse Technician 2 (TNG 23T) course and changes can be made based on specific training requirements. The 

US&R Training Program can increase or decrease the amount of instruction and hands-on tool time for the following 

skills sets: 

• Breaching and breaking operations 

• Shoring construction 


This course exposes students to the most advanced knowledge available 

for structural collapse incidents. 

Topics 







• Breaching and breaking operations with concrete and steel structures 


• Emergency building shoring 

16 


US&R Full-Scale Exercise Program 

Full-Scale Exercise Program 

The Full-Scale Exercise Program (FSE) is designed for military units and jurisdictions that require training and 

scenario-based exercises for terrorist incidents or natural disasters. FSEs are conducted in Disaster City®, located 

in College Station, Texas. Disaster City® is a 52-acre urban search and rescue training facility that delivers the 

full array of skills and techniques needed by today’s civil support teams, US&R teams and emergency responders. 

Training is led by instructors who have responded to some of the largest disasters on record, including the 

9/11 World Trade Center attacks, the space shuttle Columbia incident and Hurricane Katrina. TEEX conducts 

yearly FSEs and has assisted in conducting full-scale exercises in Disaster City® for the following teams: 

US&R Full-Scale Exercise Program 

• Texas Task Force 1 

• 6th WMD-CST (Texas) 

• San Francisco Fire Department with the 95th WMD-CST (California) 

• 63rd WMD-CST (Oklahoma) 

• TX-DMAT 4 

TEEX and Disaster City® can provide full-scale exercise scenarios to test and evaluate your team based on your 

required goals. Each exercise prepares your team to respond and understand the various challenges at CBRNE/ 

WMD incidents, a structural collapse or a natural disaster. Scenarios are designed using objectives provided by 

your command and training staff. FSEs are designed around current revisions to the National Response Plan, 

the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and follow all Incident Command System (ICS) principles. 

Sample exercise scenarios: 

• Dirty bomb attack on a government building 

• Chemical attack on a passenger train 

• Improvised explosive device (truck, car, suitcase, suicide bomber) 

• Aerosol anthrax attack on theater or shopping mall 

• Radiological dispersal device 

• Blister or nerve agent attack 

• Train car derailment/explosion - chemical tanker 

• Highway truck accident/explosion - chemical tank trailer 

• Collapsed structure and rubble pile survey and sampling 

• Earthquake 

• Hurricane 

• Tornado 

Responding teams will be assigned a base of operations near Disaster City® and will have to quickly integrate 

themselves into the incident command system. Briefings, operational objectives and status reports will happen 

in real time, just like an actual incident. Various levels of city and government officials (role players) from 

the affected jurisdiction will interact with your team and commanders. This unique level of detail and realism 

provides the opportunity for the team to interact and work with actual emergency responders during exercises. 

Exercise Role Players and Observer/Controllers: 

TEEX can provide a staff of professional role players, actors, and victims that add a high level of realism to the 

exercise scenarios. Teams responding to Disaster City® will interface with role players who have professional 

backgrounds as fire or police responders, US&R task force personnel, federal agents, public works officials and 

emergency managers. All Observer/Controllers (O/Cs) in Disaster City® are responders with real-world experience 

at some of the largest modern day disasters. The O/C team may be comprised solely of TEEX staff or could 

include personnel of your choosing for an unparalleled training experience. 


Disaster City® and Texas Task Force 1 

“We looked at several training 

facilities worldwide specializing 

in search and rescue, but none 

compared to what we found 

at Disaster City ® . 

– dave dickson 

usar advisor 

u.k. civil resilience directorate 

office of the deputy prime minister 

“ 

18 

Emergency responders from throughout the United States and 

around the globe count on TEEX for unrivaled search and rescue 

training and exercises at a venue like no other – Disaster City ® . 

Located in College Station, the facility is designed to provide the 

full array of skills and techniques needed by emergency response 

professionals. 

Disaster City ® features full-size, collapsible structures that replicate 

community infrastructure, including a strip mall, office 

building, industrial complex, assembly hall/theater, single-family 

dwelling and train derailment, government complex, as well as 

three rubble piles. Responders enhance their search and rescue 

skills at work stations that recreate real-life disaster scenarios 

using state-of-the-art search and rescue tools. Disaster City ® is the 

home training facility for Texas Task Force 1 and also hosts numerous 

operational readiness exercises for military, federal, state and 

local search and rescue teams. The facility’s vast and diverse infrastructure 

provides the capability to sustain training and exercises 

over multiple operational periods. 

Additionally, the 52-acre Disaster City ® is one of the nation’s top 

training and evaluation sites for search and rescue canines and 

their handlers, having hosted the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency’s (FEMA) prestigious Disaster Search Canine Readiness 

Evaluation twice over the past two years. The facility has 

also hosted the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s 

(NIST) Response Robot Evaluation Exercise. TEEX serves as the 

sponsoring agency for Texas Task Force 1, one of FEMA’s 28 federal 

urban search and rescue teams and the only Type 1 statewide 

urban search and rescue team in Texas. The Task Force, which is 

under direction of the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management, 

is also responsible for the state’s water rescue program. 

With more than 400 members from 60 different organizations, 

Texas Task Force 1 has responded to major disasters such as 9/11, 

the space shuttle Columbia explosion, the Texas A&M Bonfire collapse 

and Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina and Rita. 

TEEX has played a key role in the development of urban search 

and rescue teams at the local and state levels in the United States 

and throughout the United Kingdom. TEEX-trained urban search 

and rescue personnel from the London Fire Brigade responded to 

the July 7, 2005, terrorist attacks and credited their preparedness 

to their training at Disaster City ® . 

TEEX also assisted in establishing the United States’ prepositioned 

equipment capability, as well as a national program 

to test the effectiveness and validity of homeland security 

equipment across several emergency response disciplines.


The Texas Engineering Extension Service 

develops a skilled and trained workforce 

f i r e s e r v i c e s 

Em e r g e n c y Se r v i c e s Training In s t i t u t e 

Tel: 866-878-8900 (toll-free) 

E-mail: esti@teexmail.tamu.edu 

that enhances the public safety, security and 

economic growth of the state and the nation 

through training, technical assistance and 

s e a r c h & r e s c u e 

Tel: 888-999-9775 (toll-free) 

E-mail: usar@teexmail.tamu.edu 

emergency response. 

The Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is an internationally 

recognized leader in the delivery of emergency response and 

workforce training, exercises and technical assistance. A member 

of The Texas A&M University System, the agency provides handson, 

customized training solutions that impact the homeland 

security and the occupational and economic development of 

Texas and beyond. 

TEEX serves more than 220,000 people representing all 50 states, 

the District of Columbia, five U.S. territories and 57 countries each 

year through training and technical assistance. Major TEEX programs 

include fire services, search and rescue, homeland security, 

public safety and security, public works, safety and health, and 

economic development. 

The agency’s ongoing efforts for the past 80 years have resulted 

in cleaner drinking water, better roads and infrastructure, 

improved workplace safety, enhanced homeland security and 

increased public safety. TEEX enhances the technical skills of employed 

workers and those entering the workforce while helping 

manufacturers adopt new technologies to improve productivity 

and profits. 

Private sector customers and public agencies count on TEEX for 

the excellent training and technical expertise provided by more 

than 1,000 employees and adjunct instructors, many of whom are 

the top experts in their fields. TEEX provides its unique, specialized 

training, exercises and technical assistance worldwide for 

customers ranging from small volunteer fire departments to large 

international companies. 

Home to the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training 

Center, TEEX has been at the forefront of preparing emergency 

responders to combat natural disasters and terrorist incidents 

involving weapons of mass destruction since 1998. In addition, 

TEEX is the sponsoring agency for Texas Task Force 1, which 

serves as a state and federal urban search and rescue team and is 

responsible for Texas’ swift water rescue program. 

h o m e l a n d s e c u r i t y 

Na t i o n a l Em e r g e n c y Res p o n s e & Res c u e Training Ce n t e r 

Tel: 877-438-8877 (toll-free) 

E-mail: nerrtc@teexmail.tamu.edu 

p u b l i c s a f e t y & s e c u r i t y 

Tel: 800-423-8433 (toll-free) 

E-mail: publicsafety@teexmail.tamu.edu 

p u b l i c w o r k s 

En g i n e e r i n g, Ut i l i t i e s & Pu b l i c Wo r k s Training In s t i t u t e 

Tel: 800-824-7303 (toll-free) 

E-mail: eupwti@teexmail.tamu.edu 

s a f e t y & h e a lt h 

Pr o f e s s i o n a l & Re g u l a t o r y Training 

Tel: 800-723-3811 (toll-free) 

E-mail: otisec@teexmail.tamu.edu 

e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t 

Te c h n o l o g y & Ec o n o m i c De v e lo p m e n t 

Tel: 800-541-7149 (toll-free) 

E-mail: ted@teexmail.tamu.edu 

o f f i c e o f g r a n t s & t r a i n i n g 

Tel: 877-438-8877 (toll-free) 

E-mail: ogt@teexmail.tamu.edu 

19

Urban Search & Rescue 

301 Tarrow 

College Station, TX 77840-7896 

Toll-free 888-999-9775 

usar@teexmail.tamu.edu 

www.teex.org/usar 

C08.2973.11

SeARCh & ReSCue - TEEX - Texas Engineering Extension Service ...

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