Resource Typing Definition for Response

On-Scene Security, Protection, and Law Enforcement

PUBLIC SAFETY DIVE TEAM

DESCRIPTION The Public Safety Dive Team is a group of divers who perform underwater functions, including search and recovery for evidence and remains

RESOURCE CATEGORY Public Safety and Security

RESOURCE KIND Team

OVERALL FUNCTION The Public Safety Dive Team:

1. Searches for, locates, identifies, and retrieves objects, including remains and evidence, from under the surface of the water
2. Helps locate and recover drowning victims, abandoned vehicles, and (if properly trained) evidence in criminal cases
3. Provides safety divers for special events
4. Assists the Waterborne Search and Rescue Team
COMPOSITION AND 1. Discuss logistics for deploying this team, such as security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment
ORDERING SPECIFICATIONS 2. This team typically works 12 hours per shift, is self-sustainable for 72 hours, and is deployable for up to 14 days
3. Requestor specifies the nature of the mission, as not all dive teams that meet a typing requirement are equipped to dive in certain climates or environments (for
example, ice diving)
4. The number of dives each diver can make in a given period depends on environmental and physiological conditions, including depth, dive conditions, altitude, and
other factors, based on the Dive Team Leader’s assessment; typically, the maximum is two dives in a two-hour period
5. Requestor orders two or more teams, based on area to be covered, time and energy spent on dives, complexity of operation, and environmental and physiological
conditions
6. Requestor and provider discuss replenishment and replacement of equipment during the operational period, including air cylinders
7. Requestor specifies specialties necessary when requesting a Type 1 team
8. This team is not deployable in a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) event

Each type of resource builds on the qualifications of the type below it. For example, Type 1 qualifications include the qualifications in Type 2, plus an increase in capability. Type 1 is
the highest qualification level.

COMPONENT TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 TYPE 4 NOTES

MINIMUM Same as Type 2 Same as Type 3 9 6 Not Specified

PERSONNEL PER
TEAM

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 Resource Typing Definition for Response
On-Scene Security, Protection, and Law Enforcement

COMPONENT TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 TYPE 4 NOTES

MANAGEMENT 1 – National Incident Same as Type 3 Same as Type 4 1 – NIMS Type 2 Dive Team Not Specified
AND OVERSIGHT Management System (NIMS) Leader
PERSONNEL PER Type 1 Dive Team Leader
TEAM

4 – NIMS Type 1 Diver 4 – NIMS Type 2 Diver 4 – NIMS Type 3 Diver 2 – NIMS Type 4 Diver 1. The Dive Team Medical Officer is an Emergency
2 – NIMS Type 1 Tender 2 – NIMS Type 2 Tender 2 – NIMS Type 2 Tender 1 – NIMS Type 2 Tender Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic familiar
1 – Dive Team Medical Officer 1 – Dive Team Medical Officer 1 – Dive Team Medical Officer 1 – Dive Team Medical Officer with dive team operations. This is not a NIMS
SUPPORT
typed position.
PERSONNEL PER 1 – Assistant Safety Officer – 1 – Assistant Safety Officer – 1 – Assistant Safety Officer – 1 – Assistant Safety Officer –
TEAM Dive Team Dive Team Dive Team Dive Team 2. The Assistant Safety Officer – Dive Team knows
safety measures for dive team operations and
reports to the incident Safety Officer. This is not a
NIMS typed position.
DIVE DEPTH Capable of diving in depth Capable of diving in depth up to Capable of diving in depth up Capable of diving in depth up to Not Specified
CAPABILITY PER greater than 130 feet 130 feet to 100 feet 60 feet
TEAM

Same as Type 2, PLUS: Same as Type 3, PLUS: Same as Type 4, PLUS: 1. Can perform basic search 1. The list of Type 1 team specialists is not
Can perform specialty dives, 1. Has a total lifting bag 1. Can perform evidence patterns comprehensive; other specialties may exist.
such as: capacity of 4,000 lbs. marking and recovery 2. Can operate with a 2. Requestor specifies necessary Type 1 team
1. Confined space/cave (including large vehicles) 2. Has a total lifting bag tethered diver specialties.
search dives 2. Can use underwater capacity of 2,000 lbs. 3. Can perform victim
TECHNICAL
2. Hazardous materials metal detectors (including small vehicles rescue and body
CAPABILITIES PER
TEAM (hazmat) and 3. Can perform grid and heavy objects, such recovery
contaminated water searches as safes) 4. Can operate in black
dives 4. Can use side-scan sonar 3. Can map floor of water water conditions
3. Ice dives equipment body
5. Can perform boat-based 4. Can record underwater
search patterns scene
Same as Type 2, PLUS: Same as Type 3, PLUS: Same as Type 4 1 – Support vehicle Boats are capable of communicating on marine
VEHICLES PER 1 – Support vehicle 1 – Support vehicle frequencies.
TEAM 1 – Boat for boat-based search
patterns and transportation

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 Resource Typing Definition for Response
On-Scene Security, Protection, and Law Enforcement

COMPONENT TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 TYPE 4 NOTES

Same as Type 2 Same as Type 3, PLUS: Same as Type 4, PLUS: 1. Dive flag Each response or mission may require additional
1. Full face mask with dive 1. Gear for attaching lift 2. Assorted buoy markers specialized equipment.
communications bags to objects (chains, 3. Assorted ropes and throw
2. Dredging equipment webbing, rope) bags
3. Mask-mounted lighting 2. Floor or sonar mapping 4. Evidence containers
system equipment 5. GPS tracking/marking
3. Recording cameras device
DIVE EQUIPMENT 6. Air compressor
PER TEAM 7. Basic first aid kit
8. Jackstays
9. Body bags
10. Mesh collection bags
11. Underwater lighting
system
12. Personal flotation devices
for all personnel
Same as Type 2, PLUS: Same as Type 3, PLUS: Same as Type 4, PLUS: 1. Wet suit 1. Each response or mission requires its own
Equipment for specialty dive 1. Full face mask Dry suit 2. Scuba gear specialized equipment.
conditions, such as: 2. Mask-mounted lighting 3. Redundant air supply 2. Weight belt is not required if BCD has an
1. Dry suit and full face suitable for the integrated weight system or if diver uses a harness
mask for diving in a underwater depth system with weights.
hazmat environment 4. Buoyancy Compensator 3. Diver needs at least two cutting devices.
2. Detection and Device (BCD) 4. Diver needs adequate protection against hypo- or
monitoring equipment 5. Scuba regulator hyperthermia.
for diving in a hazmat 6. Weight with weight belt
environment
7. Mask
DIVE EQUIPMENT 3. Rebreather
PER DIVER 8. Gloves suitable for dive
4. Ice suit conditions
9. Fins
10. Snorkel
11. Dive boots
12. Cuttings devices, such as
dive knife, shears, or wire
cutters
13. Timing device
14. Whistle or surface
noisemaking device

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 Resource Typing Definition for Response
On-Scene Security, Protection, and Law Enforcement

COMPONENT TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TYPE 3 TYPE 4 NOTES

Same as Type 2 Same as Type 3 Same as Type 4 PPE includes: PPE is mission specific; additional PPE may be
PERSONAL 1. Dive equipment necessary depending on the mission or environment.
PROTECTIVE
2. Life preservers
EQUIPMENT (PPE)
PER TEAM 3. Helmets
MEMBER 4. Protective gloves
5. Protective footwear
Same as Type 2 Same as Type 3 Same as Type 4, PLUS: 4 – Short-range, handheld Not Specified
COMMUNICATIONS
Hardwire or radio-based diver- two-way portable radio
EQUIPMENT PER
TEAM to-surface and diver-to-diver 4 – Cell phone or satellite
communications equipment phone

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On-Scene Security, Protection, and Law Enforcement

NOTES
1. Nationally typed resources represent the minimum criteria for the associated component and capability.
2. Divers may delay during the demobilization process to ensure adequate decompressions before travel. The Dive Team Leader has final say on demobilization
timing.
3. Divers may limit their dives during the allotted deployment based on environmental and physiological conditions. The Dive Team Leader has final say on dive
operations.

REFERENCES
1. FEMA, NIMS 508: Waterborne Search and Rescue Team, pending publication
2. FEMA, NIMS 509: Dive Team Leader, pending publication
3. FEMA, NIMS 509: Diver, pending publication
4. FEMA, NIMS 509: Tender, pending publication
5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.410: Commercial Diving Operations, latest edition
adopted

DRAFT – PRE-DECISIONAL – DRAFT

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