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Structures Specialist
How Do We Assist in Natural or Man-Made Disasters
A Structures Specialist performs various structural assessments for an Urban Search & Rescue Task Force during incident operations. The StS reports directly to the Planning Team Manager, but will often be assigned to the Search Team or Rescue Team Manager. The StS may be assigned other duties working directly in support of the IST Structural Unit Leader or as a Technical Liaison to the AHJ (Agency Having Jurisdiction) or some other Agency.
Description of Duties
The Structures Specialist is responsible for:
- Assessing the immediate structural condition of the affected area of Task Force operations, which includes identifying structure types, specific damage and structural hazards.
- Recommending the appropriate type and amount of structural hazard mitigation in order to minimize risks on site to task force personnel.
- Cooperating with and assisting other search and rescue resources.
- Monitoring assigned structures 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 IST Structural Unit Leader.
- Accountability, maintenance, and minor repairs for all issued equipment.
- Adhering to all safety procedures.
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How Do We Assist in Natural or Man-Made Disasters
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