USAR Training

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This page outlines training opportunities for urban search and rescue (USAR) in New Zealand.

USAR training is available for:

All emergency services personnel (including Ambulance, Civil Defence, Defence Force, NZ Fire Service, Police).
People qualified with specialist supporting skills: structural engineers, medics, canine search specialists.

USAR training is organised in categories rising from entry-level 'introduction'', through to specific training for operational roles within a USAR Response Team or USAR Task Force.

The USAR Training Categories are: Introduction, Awareness, Responder, Technician, Manager

Category Zero: Introduction

Prerequisites: nil
Purpose: To introduce the national USAR system and ensure students are aware of the internatinal systems used that they may encounter at a structural collapse incident.
Qualification: Attendance Certificate
Format: 4-8 hour classroom session (Module A).

Category 1-A: USAR Awareness

Prerequisites: nil
Purpose: To establish the first response capability within key organisations, able to conduct supervised surface search and rescue operations at a structural collpase.
Qualification: USAR Orange Ticket (Unit Standard 18516 Demonstrate knowledge of and provide support at urban search and rescue operations).
Format: Two one-day theory and practical course (includes CAT-0 Introduction), supported by student workbook/manual.

Category: 1-R USAR Responder

Prerequisite: Unit Standard 18516 USAR Awareness (CAT-1A).
Purpose: To establish a first response and task force support capabilit, with self sufficient skills to conduct first aid, surface and low height rescue operations. Minimum qualification for USAR Task Force support and specialist staff (search dogs, engineers, logistics, communications, high angle, haz-mat).
Qualification: USAR Orange Card & FRSITO Industry Certificate in USAR Response.
Format: Includes completion of unit standards based courses in First Aid, Coordinated Incident Management System and General Rescue.

Category: 2 USAR Technician

Prerequisite: Category: 1-R USAR Responder, and courses in self contained breathing apparatus, line/rope rescue, confined space operations, technical vehicle accident extrication.
Purpose: To provide internationally compatible medium/heavy rescue capability for specialist and subterraneous search and rescue operations, minimum for all Task Force technicians.
Qualification: NZQA Accredited USAR CAT-2 Technician Course (level 5), exclusive to New Zealand Fire Service Professional Development Unit. Restricted to approved members of the National USAR Task Force Response System - Not publicly available.
Format: three week full-time course.

Category: 3 USAR Manager

Prerequisite: Category: 2 USAR Technician.
Purpose:To provide task force managers and leaders, the skills to manage task force training and operations, while being able to rpovide sound technical advice to teh incident controller at a structural collapse incident.
Qualification: National Diploma in USAR (proposed).
Format: This qualification is still under development.

For a detailed overview of the USAR training system, click here [257K]

Trainer Certification

Click here for Best Practice Guidelines, including for trainer Certification.

This new document outlines the national guideline for trainer selection, appointment and revalidation.

To support the regional revalidation process, the following revalidation guides are available.

Instructional competency revalidation guide - Skills lesson (31K PDF)
Instructional competency revalidation guide - Theory lesson (38K PDF)