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Urban Search & Rescue Task Force
LA-TF3 is an Intermediate Type 2 Urban Search and Rescue Task Force. It is a regionally based and managed multi-jurisdictional asset deployed through the State of Louisiana, Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. It is comprised of and staffed by up to 105 emergency services personnel and technical experts (divided into three platoons) from the North Louisiana Region, (parishes within Louisiana Region 7). LA-TF3 members are trained to FEMA standards with a platoon deployment of 35 personnel. Their equipment is equivalent to 1-half of a FEMA Type I Task Force.
Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) involves determining the location of victims trapped in confined spaces, implementing rescue (extrication), and initial medical stabilization. Structural collapse is most often the cause of victims being trapped, but victims may also be trapped in transportation accidents and collapsed trenches.
Members of the LA-TF3 Selection Committee will review your application and all of the attached documents. Your application package will be reviewed for training and certification suitable to your prospective assignment to the Team.
LA-TF3's members are organized into 3 Platoons (Red, White, and Blue). Every month, each platoon will rotate between being on Response Ready, Response Standby, and Training Mode. After initial training, members will be expected to maintain competency in accordance with the applicable consensus standard with their team assignment. For a new member joining the team, depending on his or her previous training and experience, additional training may be required. In order to be "deployable," each member must be fully qualified for their deployment position, per FEMA and LA-TF3's standards, and have participated in the previous quarterly training. Team members will also be held accountable for knowing LA-TF3's Policies and Procedures. It is preferable that the application be filled out on a computer and then printed for signatures. If the application is handwritten, it must be printed in ink and be very neat and legible.
Background
Urban Search and Rescue is considered a "multi-hazard" discipline, as it may be needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, storms, tornadoes, floods, sink holes, trench cave in, confined space rescue, industrial accidents, transportation accidents, and terrorist activities.Responsibilities
LA-TF3 conforms to US&R Operational Procedures that were developed by FEMA. LA-TF3 is comprised of five major functional elements: Search, Rescue, Medical, Logistics, and Planning, Hazmat, and Safety (including associated supervisory positions). The 3 platoons consist of 35 positions, thereby increasing overall membership to 105 persons.Members of the LA-TF3 Selection Committee will review your application and all of the attached documents. Your application package will be reviewed for training and certification suitable to your prospective assignment to the Team.
LA-TF3's members are organized into 3 Platoons (Red, White, and Blue). Every month, each platoon will rotate between being on Response Ready, Response Standby, and Training Mode. After initial training, members will be expected to maintain competency in accordance with the applicable consensus standard with their team assignment. For a new member joining the team, depending on his or her previous training and experience, additional training may be required. In order to be "deployable," each member must be fully qualified for their deployment position, per FEMA and LA-TF3's standards, and have participated in the previous quarterly training. Team members will also be held accountable for knowing LA-TF3's Policies and Procedures. It is preferable that the application be filled out on a computer and then printed for signatures. If the application is handwritten, it must be printed in ink and be very neat and legible.
Task Force Training Classes
| Classes | Details |
|---|---|
| ICS 100.a | FEMA - Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100 |
| ICS 200.a | FEMA - ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents |
| ICS 700.a | FEMA - NIMS An Introduction |
| ICS 800.b | FEMA - National Response Framework, An Introduction |
| FEMA US&R Response System Orientation | US&R Response System Orientation |
| Hazard Communication Course | OSHA Hazard Communication Course -Training Information (Free training) |
| Structural Collapse Awareness | US Army Corps of Engineers - Training Evaluation and Corrective Action |
| Blood-bourne Pathogens Awareness | SafeResponse.Com -Training Information |
| GPS Awareness | Check back for more information |