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New Mexico Task Force 1
Policies and Procedures

Organization

The New Mexico Task Force 1 (NM-TF1) Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team is a federally supported effort sponsored by the New Mexico State Department of Public Safety. The University of New Mexico is the designated fiscal agent for the State of New Mexico. Administrative oversight of NM-TF1 is provided by a steering committee appointed, in writing, by the Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.

During training or other task force activities, all team members serve on a volunteer basis. Management of NM-TF1 during training exercises, during deployment, or during other task force activities is performed by the task force leader or his designees. When activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), deploying members serve as federal employees. Compensation as a result of deployment is arranged through the University of New Mexico.

The following is the FEMA mission statement. It should be read and understood by all task force members and prospective members.

Emergency Support Function (ESF) #9 - Urban Search and Rescue rapidly deploys components of the National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System to provide specialized lifesaving assistance to State and local authorities in the event of a major disaster or emergency. US&R operational activities include locating, extricating, and providing on-site medical treatment to victims trapped in collapsed structures.

Membership

The NM-TF1 supports three levels of membership, probationary, full, and deployable. A task force member is expected to progress through these membership levels with the goal of becoming a deployable member of the task force.

Probationary member:

An individual is accepted as a probationary member of the task force at the discretion of the respective manager or task force leader with the concurrence of the steering committee. The probationary level is considered the entry level for the task force and has no specific pre-requisites. A probationary member is expected to make progress toward becoming a full member. Toward this goal, the probationary member is required to perform the following activities at a minimum:

1. Attend task force training and meetings (see minimum requirements under training)
2. Submit all required paperwork including FEMA and task force documents
3. Determine a primary specialty. The primary specialty should be based on member interest, member prior training and experience, and task force needs.

To assist the probationary member in becoming a full member, the task force will assign each probationary member a manager/mentor. After selection of a primary specialty, the probationary member may be assigned a new manager/mentor to more closely align with the probationary member’s chosen primary specialty. The probationary member will also be issued a new member orientation pamphlet. The new member orientation pamphlet will contain the task force hot-line telephone number, the task force web site URL (when available), the current years training dates, the manager/mentor’ telephone number, the task force leader’s telephone number, and such additional information as deemed appropriate and helpful.

Full member:

A probationary member may be promoted to full member status upon the meeting all the following minimum conditions:

1. Completion of six months service
2. Attendance at six task force training sessions
3. Recommendation by specialty manager based on deportment during task force training, progress made in primary specialty training, and demonstration of intent to support task force goals
4. Submission of all required paperwork
5. Agreement of task force leader
6. Agreement of steering committee

Upon achieving full member status, the full member will be issued task force uniforms and such other personal gear as is deemed appropriate, customary, and available.

Deployable member:

A deployable member is a full member who has demonstrated or completed the following:

1. The ability (both physical and mental) to perform duties required during deployment as assessed by the specialty manager of task force leadership.
2. Current in all required paperwork
3. Current in all required inoculations, etc
4. Completion of all required specialty training
5. Recommendation of specialty manager
6. Agreement of the task force leader

Conduct

During deployment, training exercises, and all other task force activities, team members are expected to follow the FEMA US&R code of conduct listed below:

• No transportation/use of illegal drugs/alcohol.
• No firearms allowed.
• Normal radio protocol used/traffic kept to a minimum.
• Know your chain of command/who you report to.
• Limit procurement of equipment.
• Do not take things without authorization.
• Act professional.
• Remain ready even when unassigned.
• Recreation limited to unassigned hours.
• Maintain/wear safety gear/clothing.
• Wear proper uniform.
• Your actions reflect your organization and FEMA.
• Assessing / addressing inadequate performance.

Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary action may be taken against a member for:

1. Lack of attendance (see minimum requirements under training)
2. Conduct detrimental to the functioning of the task force

Disciplinary action short of dismissal may take the form of a letter of reprimand, a drop in status (for example: change from deployable to full member status), etc. The procedure for such disciplinary action is:

1. Recommendation of the specialty manager or task force leader.
2. Consensus of the task force managers at a regularly scheduled managers meeting.


Dismissal of a member from the task force is a disciplinary step of last resort. It will not be undertaken lightly. The procedure for dismissal of a task force member is:

1. Recommendation of specialty manager or task force leader
2. Consensus of the task force managers at a regularly scheduled managers meeting
3. Concurrence of the steering committee
4. Task force member facing dismissal shall be accorded the opportunity to represent himself/herself before the steering committee

Training

The task force typically conducts one training session per month (12 per year). All members are encouraged to attend all training sessions possible. All members are expected to attend a minimum of 1/3 (4 per year) of all scheduled task force meetings/training sessions plus an additional 16 hours of off-site training or task force service. Such additional training or service must be approved in writing by the specialty manager. Attendance at an additional 2 task force training sessions (6 total) will satisfy the additional 16 hour training requirement. During training exercises, team members are covered for personal injury. This personal injury coverage is contingent upon the team member signing into and out of training using form ICS-211.

In addition to regularly scheduled task force training, there are opportunities for USAR training outside the task force environment. Many specialty training courses are offered at various sites throughout the country. Selection for attendance at such outside training opportunities is as follows:

1. Member availability
2. Task force need
3. Task force resources
4. Recommendation of specialty manager
5. Concurrence of task force leader
6. Selection hierarchy for members:

a) Required training for full member to reach deployable status
b) Refresher training for deployable member
c) Refresher training for full member
d) Probationary member

Deployment Selection Criteria

Deployment is the goal of every task force member. However, in either a full deployment or a modular deployment, the task force must roster a specific number of positions. Thus, not every member will be deployed. In order to avoid the appearance of favoritism, the task force will employ the following selection criteria for deployment:

1. The member must have achieved “deployable” status with the task force.
2. The member must be able to fill a roster position that is needed by the task force.
3. The member has demonstrated superior commitment (Documented via attendance records).
4. The member must be available for deployment (includes ability of task force to contact the member in a timely manner).
5. Final decision is made by the specialty manager and task force leader.

Uniforms

The task force uniform consists of NM-TF1 lettering on a turquoise or navy blue t-shirt and navy blue or black BDU jacket and matching BDU trousers. Uniforms will be issued to members upon their achieving full member status or as soon thereafter as uniforms become available. It is mandatory that uniforms be worn for:

1. Deployments
2. Ceremonies
3. Other occasions specified by the task force leader

Uniforms are optional for:

1. Task force meetings and training
2. Offsite specialty training
3. Representing the task force at USAR or FEMA working groups

The task force uniform should not be worn at any event unless the member is representing the task force, USAR, or FEMA.

Chain-of-command

The task force chain-of-command is documented in the Field Operations Guide or by the established Incident Command Structure. The intent of the chain-of-command is to facilitate (not impair) communication. For safety and efficiency it is imperative that the chain-of-command is employed during task force deployments and drills. Following the chain-of-command is particularly important when issuing tasks and instructions and for reporting outcomes and conditions. Nothing in this section is to be construed as an effort to prevent direct one-on-one communication between task force members outside of operational periods.