CSA Z1620:24 PDF

Preface 

This is the second edition of CSA Z1620, Core competency standards for ground search and rescue operations: Searcher, team leader, and SAR manager . It supersedes the previous edition published in 2015. This Standard contains knowledge and performance specifications for determining and evaluating competency for three core roles in ground search and rescue (GSAR) operations: searcher, team leader, and search and rescue (SAR) manager. Although this Standard is intended for lost and missing person responses, it has been demonstrated that the core competencies within this Standard are relevant to support the participation of GSAR groups in emergency management and disaster response. Users of this Standard should understand the core competencies contained in this document are minimum levels. This Standard does not have the force of law unless mandated by legislation or referenced in regulations of the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Users of this Standard are advised to contact the AHJ in their area to determine the extent this Standard is referenced. This Standard was developed through a highly collaborative effort between federal, provincial/ territorial, local, and volunteer search and/or rescue agencies and organizations. The National Criteria for Ground Search and Rescue was used to develop the framework of this Standard. Numerous training manuals and reference materials were consulted in the development of the content of this Standard. CSA Group sincerely acknowledges the contribution of those GSAR agencies and organizations that provided their education materials to help inform the Technical Committee developing this standard. The requirements of this Standard result from consensus of the CSA Technical Committee on Ground Search and Rescue, which represents a broad spectrum of stakeholder interests. The Technical Committee received input from other stakeholders and through public comments received as a result of a wide distribution of the draft Standard during the public review and comment period. CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial and in-kind support of the Search and Rescue Volunteers Association of Canada (SARVAC) and other agencies responsible for search and rescue, and by the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF). CSA Group and the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada sincerely acknowledge the contributions of the GSAR community in Canada for its continued support of this Standard. This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Ground Search and Rescue, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Public Safety, and has been approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. 

Scope 

1.1 General 

This Standard provides core competency requirements for GSAR operations for the three core roles of searcher, team leader, and SAR manager. 

1.2 Purpose 

This Standard was developed to provide a foundation for interoperability and portability of GSAR skills within Canada. It is intended to facilitate training curriculum development and professional development planning so that competence is maintained and enhanced. This Standard is an important tool for documenting and communicating the knowledge, skills, and abilities for those involved in GSAR operations and for evaluating performance. It provides a reference tool for multiple stakeholders and presents a starting point for meaningful discussion about the future direction of GSAR in Canada. 

1.3 Terminology 

In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.