Response System

The Structures Specialist (StS) is responsible for performing the various structural assessments for the task force during incident operations. The Structures Specialist reports directly to the Planning Team Manager. 

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Description of Duties
The Structures Specialist is responsible for:

• Assessing the structural condition within the area of task force operations, which includes identifying structure types and specific damage and structural hazards 

• Recommending the appropriate type and amount of structural hazard mitigation in order to minimize risks to task force personnel 

• Provide input to task force tactical action plans as appropriate 

• Cooperating with and assisting other search and rescue resources 

• Providing accountability, maintenance, and minor repairs for all issued equipment 

• Performing additional tasks or duties as assigned during a mission 

• Monitoring assigned structure for condition changes while rescue and recovery operations are proceeding 

• Assuming an active role in implementing approved structural hazard mitigation as a designer, inspector, and possibly a supervisor 

• Coordinating and communicating the structural related hazard mitigation with US&R IST Structural Unit Leader 

• Performing additional tasks or duties as assigned 

Position Requirements and Criteria

 The Structures Specialist shall adhere to the following: 

• Meet all Administrative and General training requirements 

• Complete the FEMA US&R GPS Awareness Level Course (Course Code: 9G6200) 

• Complete the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Structures Specialist 1 Training course (Course Code: StS-1) 

• Complete the required technical rescue skill sets and additional required rope rescue skills as defined in Appendix A of this Annex

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Required Experience 

The Structures Specialist shall meet the following requirements: 

1. Be currently licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) specializing in structures or equivalent as sanctioned by the FEMA US&R Structures Subgroup. The criteria for qualifying as equivalent to PE are as follows:

• Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering (or similar curriculum) from a college or university that is recognized by a state licensing board 

• Five years of experience in any phase of structural engineering, including the teaching of subjects pertaining to structures, structural safety, and structural collapse 

• A letter from the individual’s FEMA US&R Task Force expressing the support of task force leadership and the task force structures specialists addressed to the FEMA US&R Structures Subgroup chair for consideration 

• Individuals who are licensed architects by any state may be considered as having equivalent certification, based on the requirements listed above 

2. Possess a minimum of five years of experience in structure design and analysis to include evaluation of existing structures, field investigation or construction observation experience