Revision to 60-3

[RiverAux]

In another thread the members of CAP-Talk were asked to submit suggestions for changes to 60-3 by a member of the NHQ ES committee.  Here is a place for us to discuss such suggestions.  I'll put up some thoughts soon. 

[lordmonar]

I've got one....it is just a rough idea right now...but I will start to flesh it out and do a white paper on it.

Ground team qualifications.

Instead of the 4-5 levels we have now (GTM3, 2, 1, GTL, and GBD)...I propose we change it to just 3 levels.

Ground Team Trainee (GTT)
Groud Team Member (GTM)
Ground Team Leader (GTL)
Ground Branch Director (GBD)

Here is my basic idea.

The GTT would be just that a trainee.  It will consist of all the "classroom"/lecutre tasks and more map reading and performance tasks that are currently stuck in the GTM 2 and GTM 1 areas.   It will still require two "sorties" but these cannot be part of a SAREX or real SAR sortie.  They will be field exercises in a controlled enviornment designed test their field surivival skills.

The purpose of the GTT is so when a person is GTT qualified we know that they can take care of them selves in they get seperated in the field.  A GTT qualified individual CAN go on a SARES or real SAR as a GTM trainee....but a GTT trainee cannot.

GTM would be the remaining tasks for GTM1 and 2 but we will remove all of the "leader" tasks.

GTL will be only the leader tasks currently in the GTL SQTR....you must be a fully qualified GTM before you can go for GTL (i.e. you can't jump straight from GTT to GTL).

GBD will be more or less the same as it is now.

The GT badge will only be awarded for GTMs.

As this applies to NESA we could make GTT a requirement before attending the basic course.  The GTL course can focuse more on small team leadership and teaching instead of basic skill building.  The GTM Advance course can be a repeat for the basic course with a focus of sharpening up the GT skills (i.e. more of the same but with stricter standards).



On a seperate issue....SETs qualification.  I would make this a SQTR sepcialty that actually reuired the individual to do live training and course development under the supervision of a mentor prior to being qualified.

I would also like to establish an Instructor qualification is the various specialty areas.  Being a GT instructor does not automatically mean that you are qualified to be a Scanner Insutructor.

As I said I will work on more specific details over the next few weeks.

[Al Sayre]

SET is on the NB agenda.  Something like 1 yr experience in a qualification and SQ/CC' s permission before you can sign anyone off.

GT - I'd say leave it alone.  I have enought trouble getting even a minimal GT together in our state to run a mission.  We need to have at least a minimal qualification level that will allow folks to go into the field supervised for a 3-4 hour line search etc. without requiring several hundred dollars worth of equipment and the ability to eat snakes for several days.  The GT3 fit's that bill pretty well.

[ELTHunter]

I seem to remember the current GTM 1, 2, 3 classifications to have been put in place to bring CAP SAR in line with NASAR.  I'd leave it alone.

Any commander or trainer worth anything isn't going to sign off the commanders approval to train if they are not comfortable that the trainee can take care of themselves in the field for 24 hours if they are separated.  Unless the environment is very controlled.

[ELTHunter]

SET is on the NB agenda.  Something like 1 yr experience in a qualification and SQ/CC' s permission before you can sign anyone off.

GT - I'd say leave it alone.  I have en ought trouble getting even a minimal GT together in our state to run a mission.  We need to have at least a minimal qualification level that will allow folks to go into the field supervised for a 3-4 hour line search etc. without requiring several hundred dollars worth of equipment and the ability to eat snakes for several days.  The GT3 fit's that bill pretty well.

I agree.  Additionally, as a GBD, the classifications allow me to mix and/or match the ground team assignments to the teams ability. A team made up mostly of GTM3's can do ramp checks and close to the vehicle urban and rural searches, while GTM1/2's can do the remote stuff.

[RiverAux]

I agree with going back to just having GTMs and GTLs, but non-concur with the trainee only qualification.  Agree with putting all the leader tasks in GTL, have a prelim training simlar to what we have now with GTM3 prelim, but have the balance of the tasks to accomplish before becoming fully qualified.  Yes, this would make it take longer to get fully qualified, but at least everyone would know what a qualified GTM is.  You would know that if you've got 5 qualified GTMS they all know everything they need to know as opposed to having 2 qualified GTM3s that now a few things, 2 GTM2s that know af few other things, etc.  Qualified would just mean qualified instead of only partly qualified.  

The current system that divides them into 3 levels based solely on how much equipment they have is not very sensible and not useful in practice.  Plus, it makes it difficult to train people since tasks relating to the same skill are split up into 3 different levels (for example, map/navigation tasks are found in all three quals so you can't really do a comprehensive navigation class at one time.  

[jeders]

I've got one....it is just a rough idea right now...but I will start to flesh it out and do a white paper on it.

Ground team qualifications.

Instead of the 4-5 levels we have now (GTM3, 2, 1, GTL, and GBD)...I propose we change it to just 3 levels.

Ground Team Trainee (GTT)
Groud Team Member (GTM)
Ground Team Leader (GTL)
Ground Branch Director (GBD)

Here is my basic idea.

The GTT would be just that a trainee.  It will consist of all the "classroom"/lecutre tasks and more map reading and performance tasks that are currently stuck in the GTM 2 and GTM 1 areas.   It will still require two "sorties" but these cannot be part of a SAREX or real SAR sortie.  They will be field exercises in a controlled enviornment designed test their field surivival skills.

The purpose of the GTT is so when a person is GTT qualified we know that they can take care of them selves in they get seperated in the field.  A GTT qualified individual CAN go on a SARES or real SAR as a GTM trainee....but a GTT trainee cannot.

GTM would be the remaining tasks for GTM1 and 2 but we will remove all of the "leader" tasks.

GTL will be only the leader tasks currently in the GTL SQTR....you must be a fully qualified GTM before you can go for GTL (i.e. you can't jump straight from GTT to GTL).

GBD will be more or less the same as it is now.

The GT badge will only be awarded for GTMs.

As this applies to NESA we could make GTT a requirement before attending the basic course.  The GTL course can focuse more on small team leadership and teaching instead of basic skill building.  The GTM Advance course can be a repeat for the basic course with a focus of sharpening up the GT skills (i.e. more of the same but with stricter standards).

On a seperate issue....SETs qualification.  I would make this a SQTR sepcialty that actually reuired the individual to do live training and course development under the supervision of a mentor prior to being qualified.

I would also like to establish an Instructor qualification is the various specialty areas.  Being a GT instructor does not automatically mean that you are qualified to be a Scanner Insutructor.

As I said I will work on more specific details over the next few weeks.

I like everything here, except for the GTT part. I'm just not sure how well that would work. But I especially like the idea of going back to just one level of GTM.

I agree.  Additionally, as a GBD, the classifications allow me to mix and/or match the ground team assignments to the teams ability. A team made up mostly of GTM3's can do ramp checks and close to the vehicle urban and rural searches, while GTM1/2's can do the remote stuff.

Yes the allow you to mix and match. However, if all you have is GTM3 because no one is ever really required to get GTM 2 and 1 (there's no extra bling associated with it) then mix and match really doesn't matter much, now does it.

[lordmonar]

Here is my concept of the GTT SQTR

Task   Title                                                         Notes
                GES                                                                                          Prerequisite
   ICUT with Ground Team endorsement         Comm--Replaces L-0001/L-0002/L-0003
   BCUT                                                         Comm--Replace with ICUT with ground team endorsement
L-0001    Basic ES radio procedures                         Comm--Delete....BCUT or new ICUT with GT endorsement
L-0002   Perform radio operations procedures         Comm--Delete....BCUT or new ICUT with GT endorsement
L-0003   Employ appropriate radio frequency and repeaters      Comm--Delete....BCUT or new ICUT with GT endorsement
O-XXXX   Complete basic first aid                         First Aid--this task may be used in lieu of the SQRT tasks
O-0003   Prevent and treat hot weather injuries         First Aid
O-0004   Prevent and treat cold weather injuries         First Aid
O-0101   Identify natural hazards                         Survival
O-0102   Prevent and Treat Fatigue                         First Aid
O-0902   Exercise Universal Precautions         First Aid
   Conduct Actions to stop bleeding         First Aid
   Bandage a wound                                         First Aid
   Identify a medical emergency                         First Aid
   Perform rescue breaths                         First Aid
   Perform CPR                                         First Aid
O-0502   Participate in a litter carry                         First Aid
   Prevent and treat bites and stings         First Aid
   Prevent and treat strains, sprang and breaks      First Aid
   Conduct Immediate Actions (Check/Call/Care)      First Aid
   Identify and treat shock                         First Aid
O-0103   Conduct field sanitation                         Survival
O-0104   Set up shelter                                         Survival
O-0407   Conduct attraction techniques                         Survival
O-0601   Conduct actions if lost                         Survival
O-0605   Extinguish a small fire                         Survival
O-0702   Use a signal mirror                                         Survival
   Build a small fire                                         Survival
   conduct action to find and use safe drinking water      Survival
O-0201   Use a compass                                         Map
O-0209   Identify major terrain features on a map         Map
O-0210   Identify topographical symbols on a map      Map
O-0211   Determine elevation on a map                         Map
O-0212   Measure distance on a map                         Map
O-0213   Convert between map and compass azimuths      Map
O-0214   Determine and plot an azimuth on a map      Map
O-0215   Determine azimuths on a map using two points      Map
O-0216   Orient a map to the ground using terrain association   Map
O-0217   Orient a map to north using a compass         Map
O-0218   Locate own position on a map using terrain association   Map
O-0001   Prepare Individual Equipment                         Search
O-0002   Conduct Individual Refit                         Search
O-0403   employ search techniques while on foot         Search
O-0404   move as part of a search line                           Search
O-0405   Communicate to other members of a search line      Search
O-0406   Use whistle signals                                         search
   Be familiar with ground team briefings         Search
   ICS-200                                                                                   ICS

My idea of having the GTT SQRT completed before being able to go to the field is two fold.

One it will ensure that the individual is capable of taking care of himself should anything go wrong.  Right now a GTM3 trainee does not need to know any first aid, how to find shelter, water or fire.

You can see that I have broken it down into 5 basic areas.
Comm, First Aid, Survival, Search and Maps.

This allows you to teach the skills in intelligent blocks.  It also allows GTM trainees to help out be part of the training as their training will align with the GTT training in a lot of ways.

Will this increase the time it take you to get people out into the field?  Yes it will.  But the GTT SQRT will not require the two mission numbers....just a one or two day out door training session.

I also intend to use the NESA slides and the task manuals/guides to develop a CBT and on line test that will allow us to speed up the training by eliminating as much "classroom" time as we can.

Also not that the First Aid training can be done organically or it can be done via an outside source.  This training material will have to be developed (I am working on it).

Also when the ICUT training comes on line all the L-000x comm tasks can be eliminated.

Here is the GTM SQRT

L-0101   Inspect a vehicle         Search
O-0005   Inspect team members         Search
O-0006   Inspect team equipment         Search
O-0301   Determine distress beacon bearing         Search
O-0302   Locate distress beacon         Search
O-0303   Deactivate a distress beacon         Search
O-0304   Triangulate a distress beacon         Search
O-0401   Work with canine search teams         Search
O-0408   Identify aircraft search clues         Search
O-0409   Identify missing person search clues         Search
O-0410   Mark a route or search boundary         Search
O-0411   Conduct individual action on locating a clue         Search
O-0412   Condcut individual actions on "find"         Search
O-0413   Participate in a hasty search         Search
O-0420   Perform an airfield search (Ramp check)         Search
O-0703   Employ ground to air signals         Search
O-0803   Supervise a site surveillance shift         Search
O-1002   Establish a helicoper landing zone         Search
P-0101   Keep a team log         Search
   Identify missing vehicle search clues         Search            
O-0202   Measure distance with pace count         Map
O-0203   Navigate past and obsacle         Map
O-0204    Locate point on map using latitude and lognitude         Map
O-0205   locate a point on a map using the CAP grid system         Map
o-0220   move from point to point in a vehicle using a map         Map
   Locate a point a map using the cell system         Map
   Locate a point on a map using the UTM system         Map
   Identify major features on an aeronautical chart         Map
   Cross check location between road map, topo map and aeronautical chart         Map
   Identify the major differences between topo, road maps and aeronautical charts         Map

And the GTL

O-0007   Direct team re-fit after sortie
O-0416    Plan Search Line Operations
O-0417   Organise a search line
O-0418    Control a search line
O-0419   Plan and organize a hazty search
O-0421   Direct team actions on locating a clue
O-0422   Direct team action on "find"
O-0802   Plan and organize site surveillance
O-0804   Sign over a site
O-1001   Direct Team actions a meeting piont
O-1101   Conduct witness interview
P-0201   Sign in team at mission
P-0202   Plan and Brief Sortie
P-0203   Plan and conduct rehearsals
P-0204   Conduct after action review
   ICS-700

You will notice that I have created a lot of new tasks.

So here are your three levels.

A fully qualified GTT must be under a GTM or GTL depending on the mission (Ramp Check, Ubran DF, Hasty Search, Full Bore Search).
GTM's are fully qualifed and can go on any search without a GTL except for a full bore search.

I am thinking of adding some the GBD tasks to the GTL so they can act sort of an "assitant GBD".

[notaNCO forever]

 I would just require a CPR certification and first aid card instead of having the different first aid tasks.

[lordmonar]

By teaching first aid and CPR ourselves...we same time and money.

Of course this course curricumn would have to be developed (I'm working on it).

[RiverAux]

My suggestions for 60-3 revision:

Item 1
1.28(d) requirement for written permission to do specialized operations.  We need to change "urban search and rescue" to confined space operations as I assume that the intent of "Urban SAR" when this was written was doing things like crawling around inside of collapsed buildings.  However, this is very confusing as since it isn't defined in the regulation it can be seen as preventing people from doing lost person searches in urban areas since that can be logically considered urban SAR. 

Item 2
Ground operations during disaster situations are not really addressed well at all in 60-3 in terms of the concept of operations.  I am thinking in particular of things such as working at shelters, food distribution, etc.  Do you need to be a ground team member for that? 

Item 3
1.20(c): I would like to see more explanation of the concept of operations for crash site security and crowd control operations.  I know there are GT tasks related to crash sites but I'm not aware of any CAP regulation addressing crowd control.  Most often this seems to be done in non-emergency situations, but as it is mentioned in 60-3 it seems as if CAP anticipates crowd control taskings in emergencies. 

Item 4:
1.21(a)  Legal restrictions.  How about some clarification on that topic that is often discussed here -- whether CAP or the AF will deny insurance benefits or liability protection to CAP members not wearing the proper uniform on an Air Force Assigned or CAP corporate mission. 

Item 5
1.21(f).  first aid on missions.  How about a more definitive statement here (see other threads) on whether CAP members are only authorized to perform basic first aid (however that is defined) on victims no matter the qualification of the CAP member OR whether a CAP member can give any aid they are qualified to perform.  For example, if there is a CAP member that is an ER specialist that can use those ultra-specialized medical skills to a victim if necessary and whether CAP would cover him if he made a mistake.  If I know that under no circumstances will CAP back me up if I use First Responder skills on a CAP mission, I won't bother to maintain the qualification.

Item 6
Attachment 4 Sortie Equivalency Chart. 
I strongly disagree with giving Mission Pilots credit for a Scanner sortie when they actually flew it as mission pilot.  There is absolutely no overlap between the duties of the Mission Pilot and the Scanner (except for being on the lookout for safety issues of one type or another).  Similarly Transport Mission Pilots should not be given sortie credit as a Scanner. 

[RiverAux]

Item 7
2.2(a)(2).  Mission check pilots should have to complete Skills Evaluator Training rather than being exempt.  Its not that much to ask that they meet the same standards as any other evaluator. 

Item 8
Renewal of Specialty Qualifications (2.4.b.3).  I do not believe that a Form 91 check ride should count for recertification for ALL aircrew positions.  While I can live with a check ride counting for an observer recertification since there is a lot of overlap with mission pilot, the duties of the scanner don't overlap at all with Mission Pilots and if they want to retain that qualification they need to do a ride in that position. 

Item 9
We need to consider starting to match our SAR posiition titles with those used in the NIMS program (Wilderness Search Technician, etc.) as well as implementing physical fitness standards.  I'm not sure if they have been finalized yet so it may be a bit pre-mature, but it needs to be discussed.  Specifically in regards to the fitness standards we need to know whether CAP would be considered the agency having jurisdiction over our members in this regards or whether this will be a state-by-state thing.

At a minimum we need to stick a section on physical fitness in 60-3 to at least start prepearing members for this, especially ground team members. 

[sarmed1]

USAR and confined space are two differant animals.  You do not want a CAP con-space rescue team.  USAR at its closest to conspace may involve the search and rescue from void spaces within a collapsed structure; Con space typiclaly relates to rescue from a permited limited access locations, ie pipes, strage tanks, grain silos etc etc.  There need not be any "disaster" involved in the need for rescue.
I'd leave that one alone.

mk

[RiverAux]

Thanks for the clarification, but that doesn't solve the problem relating to the fact that the term isn't properly defined in this regulation and can easily be interpreted to restrict CAP participation in standard SAR searches that happen to take place in urban areas. 

[es_g0d]

Any revision to 60-3 and/or GT requirements without complying with NIMS (ICS) typing would further marginalize our organization in the field of emergency response.  With reference to presidential homeland security directives, it might even be unlawful.  The bottom line is that we need to learn to work with others, and speak the common language.
-S

[sardak]

...without complying with NIMS (ICS) typing...With reference to presidential homeland security directives, it might even be unlawful.

Not at the federal level. There is no federal law requiring NIMS compliance by anyone, including federal agencies. The carrot or stick, depending on one's perspective, is that non-federal organizations that aren't NIMS compliant aren't eligible for federal preparedness grants. At some time in the future, non-compliant organizations most likely won't be allowed to respond to federally managed incidents.

But the point that CAP shouldn't ignore FEMA typing and credentialing is valid. Unfortunately, the one draft of National's plan to incorporate these and other ICS documents that I saw went way off scale high. My response was "you've gotta to be kidding me." I haven't seen anything since, because "they" were looking for more constructive agreement.

The other issue is that the FEMA resource and credentialing documents are being revised and there are substantial changes from the current documents. I received a letter from FEMA last week stating that the revisions will be posted for public comment in the "near future." Given that they're a year late already, and the non-public reviewers have yet to receive any feedback, who knows when they'll really be out.

As for the comments about USAR in 60-3, it should just come out. Whether it's USAR in confined spaces or collapsed structures, CAP isn't trained to do any of it, nor should it be. In the draft typing/credentialing documents, "Structure Collapse" replaces "Urban SAR." ESF-9 in the NRF refers to "Structural Collapse (Urban) SAR."  However, the law directing the creation of the FEMA USAR teams specifically refers to them as USAR.

CAP can perform uSAR as part of its existing mission so there doesn't need to be any special authorization in 60-3. This is from the draft FEMA docs: "One area of clarification for NIMS SAR Credentialing is that the use of the word 'Urban' with a capital 'U' refers to Urban SAR as defined in the National SAR Plan and Manual (structural collapse, et al). The word 'urban' with a small 'u' refers to the environmental setting such as the urban city as described below."

As for other changes to 60-3, I submitted 9 pages of comments last year when National sent out the draft 60-3 for review.

Mike