ASTM F2209-20

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2209 − 14 F2209 − 20
Standard Guide for
Training of Land Search Team Member
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2209; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide establishes the minimum training requirements for land search personnel as it relates to their general, field, and
search specific search-specific knowledge and skills.
1.2 A Land Search Team Member searches on the surface of the land only, including urban or disaster areas that may be isolated
or have lost supporting infrastructure.
1.3 This guide does not provide the minimum training requirements for searching in partially or fully collapsed structures, in or
on water, in confined spaces, or underground (such as caves, mines, and tunnels.)tunnels).
1.4 Personnel trained to this guide are not qualified to perform rescue. No knots, rope, high angle or low angle litter, or other rescue
skills are required of a Land Search Team Member.
1.4.1 Basic rescue skills and knowledge are found in Guide F2751.
1.5 Personnel trained to this guide are not qualified to operate in leadership positions.
1.6 Land Search Team Members are eligible to be members of Type II Category: Land Search, and Category: Untrained, search
teams or crews, as defined in Classification F1993.
1.6.1 Type II Category: Land Search teams which may utilize personnel trained to this guide are:
1.6.1.1 Kind A (wilderness); Kind: Non-Wilderness;
1.6.1.2 Kind B (urban); Kind: Wilderness;
1.6.1.3 Kind J (evidence/cadaver); Kind: Mountainous;
1.6.1.4 Kind K (missing aircraft). Kind: Alpine.
1.6.2 Land Search Team Members are eligible to be members of Kind C (mountainous) teams provided that they are supervised
by a Mountain or Alpine endorsed team member.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel, Training and
Education.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2014Nov. 1, 2020. Published September 2014December 2020. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 20102014
as F2209F2209 – 14.–10. DOI: 10.1520/F2209-14. 10.1520/F2209-20.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2209 − 20
1.7 Further training may be required before a Land Search Team Member can participate on a particular Kind of search team,
depending on local needs, regulations, or policies of the authority having jurisdiction.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory requirementslimitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1633 Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn 2017)
F1767 Guide for Forms Used for Search and Rescue
F1773 Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering, Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices
F2047 Practice for Workers’ Compensation Coverage of Emergency Services Volunteers
F1993 Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources
F2047 Practice for Workers’ Compensation Coverage of Emergency Services Volunteers
F2751 Guide for Training of a Land Search and Rescue Team Member
F2890 Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel
F2890 Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel
F3068 Guide for Contents and Use of a Position Task Book (PTB)
F3071 Guide for Basic Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IW) Endorsement
F3222 Terminology Relating to F32 Land Search and Rescue Standards and Guides
2.2 Other Documents:
NWCG PMS 307 Work Capacity Testing for Wildland FirefightersTest: Administrator’s Guide
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), n—(1) the team, organization, agency, or other entity which is using this guide; (2) the
team, organization, agency, or other entity to which a person being trained, tested, or evaluated belongs, if the instructor, evaluator,
or tester is not a member of the same organization.
3.1.2 field, n—the location, away from the base or command post, in which a land search team member is searching or performing
other tasks.
3.1.3 field operations, n—searches and other tasks being performed away from the base or command post.
3.1.4 initial planning point (IPP), n—the point that is initially used to plan the search incident. The IPP may be the original point
last seen or the last known position. The IPP may also be a point entirely separate based on the best available investigative
information. IPP does not move after planning begins.
3.1.1 land search team, n—a group of individuals searching on the surface of the earth.
3.1.2 land search team member Level I, member, n—a person who, at a minimum, meets the requirements of this guide.
3.1.7 normal area of operation, n—(1) the area(s) where an AHJ performs its search operations on a regular basis; (2) the area(s)
where the AHJ is frequently called to assist with search operations managed by others.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/newshelt/workcaptest_lo.pdfhttps://www.nwcg.gov/publications.
F2209 − 20
3.2 For definitions of terms used in this guide, see Guide F1633, Terminology F1773, Classification F1993, PracticeTerminology
F2047F3222, and other references within this guide.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This guide establishes the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities that a person must have to perform as a Land Search Team
Member. No other skills are included or implied.
4.2 Every person who is identified as a Land Search Team Member shall have met the requirements of this guide.
4.3 This guide is to be used by individuals and agencies having jurisdiction that wish to identify the minimum training required
for a Land Search Team Member.
4.3.1 The AHJ shall determine the depth or detail of training required to meet these needs.
4.4 Though this guide establishes the minimum standard of training, it does not imply that a Land Search Team Member is a
“trainee,” “probationary,” or other similar term member of a team, organization, or agency.
4.4.1 Determining the requirements and qualifications for land search team membersLand Search Team Members is the
responsibility of the AHJ.
4.4.2 Nothing in this guide precludes an AHJ from adding additional requirements for its own members.
4.5 This guide can be used to evaluate a document or training program to determine if its content includes the topics necessary
for training individuals to operate as a Land Search Team Member.
4.6 This guide does not stand alone and must be used with the referenced documents to provide the specific information needed
by a Land Search Team Member or AHJ.
4.7 This guide by itself is not a training document. It is an outline of the topics required for training or evaluating a Land Search
Team Member.
4.8 This guide can be used to evaluate a book or other document to determine if its content includes the information required for
training a Land Search Team Member. Likewise, the guide can be used to evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets
the requirements of this guide.
4.9 The knowledge, skills, and abilities defined in this guide are not presented in any particular order and do not represent a
training sequence.
4.10 A Land Search Team Member shall document his or her training by completion of a position task book, compliant with Guide
F3068, or by field demonstration under qualified supervision.
4.11 Unless stated otherwise, an ability or proficiency in a skill shall be demonstrated for initial qualification and then as often
as required by the AHJ.
4.12 Except where a physical skill or ability must be demonstrated, the AHJ shall determine the best way to evaluate a person’s
knowledge. This may be by written exam, oral exam, demonstration, or by some combination of the three.
5. Personal Fitness
5.1 Land Search Team Members shall demonstrate annually that they meet the requirements of a medical fitness standard
determined by the AHJ.
F2209 − 20
5.2 Land Search Team Members shall demonstrate annually that they meet the requirements of a physical performance standard
determined by the AHJ.
5.2.1 The recommended minimum physical performance requirement for Land Search Team Members is the "Moderate"“Mod-
erate” level as defined in NWCG PMS 307 (see Appendix X2).
6. General Knowledge and Skills
6.1 Land Search Team Members shall complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) ICS-100, “Introduction to
Incident Command System.”
6.2 A Land Search Team Member shall complete the Department of Interior, Office of Aviation Management (DOI OAM), Course
A100 – Basic A100—Basic Aviation Safety, or equivalent training.
6.3 A Land Search Team Member shall maintain certification in professional rescuer/health care provider CPR.
6.4 A Land Search Team Member shall maintain certification in basic first aid, or a more advanced level of emergency care. At
a minimum the medical or first aid training for certification shall include the following:
6.4.1 BasicField treatment for common injuries experienced by land searchers in the field. normal area of operations.
6.4.2 BasicField treatment for the conditions listed in 7.11.
6.5 Land Search Team Members shall know the regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines of the AHJ with regard to the
following:
6.5.1 Land Search Team callout or dispatch to an incident,
6.5.2 Incident check in,check-in,
6.5.3 Land search team mission briefing,
6.5.4 Land search team mission debriefing,
6.5.5 Demobilization and departing from an incident,
6.5.6 Land search team member communications with the media,
6.5.7 Working with other agencies or organizations,
6.5.8 Insurance coverage, and
6.5.9 Safe driving procedures and safety.
6.6 Land search team membersSearch Team Members shall demonstrate an understanding of the legal aspects of SAR with respect
to the AHJ for the following:
6.6.1 Entering private property,
6.6.2 Emergency response,
6.6.3 Finding deceased individuals,
6.6.4 Crime scenes,
F2209 − 20
6.6.5 Subject, victim, witness, or patient confidentiality requirements, including, but not limited to, the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA),
6.6.6 Negligence and abandonment, and
6.6.7 Confidentiality of mission information.
6.7 Land Search Team Members shall be trained to operate within the Incident Command System (ICS).
7. Personal Health, Safety, and Survival
7.1 Land Search Team Members shall know how to protect themselves from the effects of the environment in the field, including
the following:
7.1.1 The five ways in which the body loses heat, the positive and negative effects of this heat loss, and the ways to assist or
prevent them.
7.1.2 The reasons for wearing layered clothing, the function of each layer, and the advantages and disadvantages of materials used
in each layer.
7.1.3 The factors to be considered when choosing socks and footwear.
7.2 Land Search Team Members shall know a minimum of three methods for avoiding getting lost.
7.3 Land Search Team Members shall have training in how to survive if lost in the field, or forced to remain in the field without
support, including the following:
7.3.1 The survival situation plan: STOP - Stay, STOP—Stay, Think, Observe, and Plan.
7.3.2 Maintaining a positive mental attitude.
7.3.3 The basic needs for survival, and their order of priority.
7.3.4 Differentiating between the requirements for short term short-term survival versus long term long-term survival.
7.3.5 Two methods of water purification for use in the field.
7.3.6 The functional requirements of an emergency shelter.
7.4 Land Search Team Members shall demonstrate the ability to build an emergency shelter using only personal field equipment
and materials found in the field.
7.5 Land Search Team Members shall demonstrate the ability to build a sustainable fire using only personal field equipment and
materials found in the field.
7.6 Land Search Team Members shall know the types and quantity of food to be carried in the field during a search mission.
7.7 Land Search Team Members shall know the personal hygiene and sanitation requirements and techniques used in the field.
7.8 Land Search Team Members shall know at least two types of emergency signaling devices, their advantages and disadvantages,
and how to use each device.
7.9 Land Search Team Members shall meet the requirements of Guide F2890 for hazardous materialshazard awareness training.
F2209 − 20
7.10 Land Search Team Members shall know the safety precautions and procedures to be employed when working around still
and swift water in the normal area of operations.
7.10.1 Land Search Team Members are not qualified to participate in swift water operations.
7.11 Land Search Team Members shall know the signs, symptoms, and preventive measures for the following:
7.11.1 Cold related Cold-related problems.
7.11.2 Heat related Heat-related problems.
7.11.3 Dehydration.
7.11.4 Fatigue and exhaustion.
7.11.5 Blisters.
7.11.6 Sunburn.
7.11.7 Other hazards specific to the environment in which the Land Search Team Member is likely to operate.
7.12 Land Search Team Members shall know the hazards in the normal area of operations, including, but not limited to, the
following:
7.12.1 Plants.
7.12.2 Wild and domestic animals.
7.12.3 Terrain.
7.12.4 Weather patterns and conditions.
7.12.5 Lightning.
7.12.6 Other (for example, snow blindness, altitude related problems, etc.).
7.12.6 Land Search Team Members shall know the procedures to be followed when searching in hazardous areas and conditions.
7.13 Land Search Team Members shall know the dangers of airborne and blood-borne pathogens and how to mitigate the risks,
including:
7.13.1 Types of pathogens.
7.13.2 Methods of transmission.
7.13.3 Body substance isolation methods.
7.13.4 Personal protective equipment (PPE) for airborne and blood-borne pathogens and its use.
8. Land Navigation
8.1 Land Search Team Members shall know the difference between topographic maps and road maps, and the advantages and
disadvantages of each.
8.2 On topographic maps, Land Search Team Members shall demonstrate the ability to:
F2209 − 20
8.2.1 Identify and explain the meaning of common symbols.
8.2.2 Describe legend information and its use.
8.2.3 Identify, and know the significance of, contour lines and spacing.
8.2.4 Identify, and know the significance of, true North, magnetic North, grid North, and declination.
8.2.5 Orient a map using terrain.
8.2.6 Orient a map using a compass.
8.2.7 Determine the distance between two points on a map.
8.2.8 Determine the heading, bearing, or azimuth between two points on a map.
8.3 Land Search Team Members shall know how man-made and naturally occurring phenomenon affect the accuracy of a
compass.
8.4 Land Search Team Members shall demonstrate the ability to do the following in the field:
8.4.1 Follow a compass heading, azimuth, or bearing.
8.4.2 Estimate distance traveled in the field.
8.4.3 Using a compass, determine a heading, azimuth, or bearing in the field and plot it on a map.
8.5 Land Search Team Members shall know the advantages and disadvantages of the following when used to determine a position:
8.5.1 Latitude/Longitude.
8.5.2 Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid system.
8.5.3 USU.S. National Grid system (USNG).
8.5.4 References to features on a map.
8.5.5 Any AHJ specified AHJ-specified methods.
8.6 Land Search Team Members shall demonstrate the ability to determine, and communicate to another person, the coordinates
of a point on a map in each of the following systems:
8.6.1 Latitude and Longitude.
8.6.2 Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM).
8.6.3 USU.S. National Grid (USNG).
8.6.4 References to features on the map.
8.6.5 Any AHJ specified AHJ-specified methods.
8.7 Land Search Team Members shall demonstrate the ability to plot on a map a location defined by coordinates in each of the
following systems:
8.7.1 Latitude and Longitude.
F2209 − 20
8.7.2 Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM).
8.7.3 USU.S. National Grid (USNG).
8.7.4 References to features on the map.
8.7.5 Any AHJ specified AHJ-specified methods.
8.8 Land Search Team Members shall have a wilderness GPS use endorsement as defined in Guide F3071.
9. Personal Protective Equipment
9.1 Land Search Team Members shall have, and know how to use, the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) necessary to safely
participate in field search operations, as determined by the AHJ, including:
9.1.1 Appropriate clothing, outerwear, footwear, and personal field equipment.
9.1.2 Survival equipment.
9.1.3 A durable, hands-free method of carrying personal and team equipment into the
...