Ground Search And Rescue
NESA | GSAR Training Overview
As outlined by the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project, NESA follows what is known as a task-based training program. This section provides a general idea of what this program means for each student.
The Task Guide
NESA uses the Ground and Urban Direction Finding Team Task Manual (“Task Guide “) as its primary tool. This is a textbook of sorts, containing nearly all of the information an individual needs to acquire to become GTM-3, -2, -1, GTL or UDF qualified. The Task Guide is divided into numbered and lettered tasks that must be passed in order to achieve the desired rating. There are three categories of tasks: Operations (marked by an O at the beginning of the task designation), Planning (marked by a P) and Logistics (marked by an L). Tasks are grouped together by relevance, not by the rating that requires them. For instance, tasks O-0001 through O-0010 all relate to individual and team equipment, but not all of these tasks must be passed to achieve the GTM-2 rating. The task guide also contains the criteria for attaining each level of Ground Team rating.
Task Format and Testing
Each task in the guide spells out three things: the objectives of that task, what the student needs to know to pass, and the task evaluation criteria (how the evaluator is to test the student). This means that participants are given a study guide with the test questions and answers already in it. For example, the objective of Task O-0002, Conduct Individual Refit, is for the student to learn, then correctly identify and explain the steps that must be taken to prepare for the next sortie or mission. The task outlines and explains these steps, then concludes with instructions to the evaluator. All tasks follow this format.
There are two types of tasks: knowledge-based tasks, which we call “K’s” and tasks that are evaluated by demonstration/performance method (“practical tasks”). Knowledge-based tasks (such as task O-0002), require that the student verbally show mastery of the information covered by the task. Practical tasks (like task O-0001), require that the student either demonstrate a skill or the practical application of the covered information. This means that any “downtime” students encounter should be devoted to studying and testing for their assigned knowledge-based tasks. Participants will be briefed as to whom they may go to for testing during the activity. It is important to note that responsibility for getting many tasks signed off is in the hands of the participant, not the staff! It is each student’s responsibility to pass the tasks.
Sortie Based Training
Training evolutions are designed around sorties to the greatest extent possible, testing and evaluating different combinations of skills simultaneously. We find this affords more realistic training and allows practical tasks to be evaluated more efficiently.
NESA Track Breakdown
NESA ground operations are separated into three different tracks or schools. Participants are organized into separate tracks at the beginning of the week. The track that a participant is placed in is based upon their rating, experience, and age. These tracks correspond to the different levels of Ground Team member that can be achieved. Please note that all levels require that an individual complete General Emergency Services training.
Basic GSAR
The Basic course covers all tasks necessary to become GTM-3 qualified. This track is for younger participants or those who are new to ground operations. Skills taught include land navigation, electronic direction finding, basic survival and field-craft, basic radio techniques, and first aid/CPR. Basic course students are organized into teams that are led by a GSAR staff member.
Advanced GSAR
The Advanced track covers all tasks required to become GTM-2, GTM-1, and UDF-qualified, and is designed for more experienced or older participants. Most Advanced students are in their second year or second week (if you attend both sessions) of NESA. Topics of instruction in Advanced include more complex search techniques and introductory leadership tasks with respect to ground operations. An individual must be rated at least GTM-3 to participate in the Advanced Course.
Team Leader Course
The Team Leader course prepares participants for the responsibilities of being a Ground Team Leader. Consequently, the Team Leader course has the most experienced and oldest students (Team Leaders must be at least 18 years old to begin training in this specialty per CAP regulations). Topics include leadership and administrative duties of Team Leaders, as well as more advanced search theories, techniques, and map skills. A Team Leader candidate must be a senior member or a cadet at least 18 years of age. The staff at the National Emergency Services Academy recommend that students refrain from taking this course in the week immediately after becoming GTM-3 qualified, and instead gain experience at their home units as a Ground Team Member before continuing onto more advanced training. Attendance at the Team Leader course and completion of all tasks does not always guarantee certification. At times, a student will need more experience than can be provided in a one-week intensive course. These students will be given credit for their task completions but will need to spend additional time working with qualified trainers in their state to gain more experience prior to certification.
Related Documents
CAPR 160-1 ATTACHMENT 2 30 September 2019 - Safety Apparel
A2.1. The use of high visibility safety vests or safety apparel must be considered as a risk control measure for CAP members anytime members are engaged in flight line duties, aircraft or vehicle traffic areas, low-light conditions, and all other activities where high visibility will help reduce risk, at night or during the day. Safety vests or safety apparel may be orange or lime green and may be worn with or without the CAP logo. Note: The guidance in this attachment does not supersede specific guidance provided in other CAP regulations (i.e., Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, etc.) and is to be used when other specific guidance has not been issued. Scenarios where high-visibility safety vests are highly encouraged as a risk control include, but are not limited to, these examples listed below.
A2.1.1. Outdoor emergency services functions such as Ground Teams, Urban Direction Finding Teams, and Community Emergency Response Teams.
A2.1.2. Cadet or senior member formations or assemblies when deemed necessary to maintain formation visibility to traffic. Road guards or safety spotters should be utilized to safely warn traffic of formation movements.
A2.1.3. Members performing duties which put them in close proximity to aircraft or vehicle traffic, especially flight line support functions. Exceptions to this are aircrews engaged in pre-flight or post-flight duties at their aircraft.
A2.1.4. All members engaged in activities in poorly lit outdoor areas.
A2.1.5. Outdoor field activities where exposure to hunting or recreational use of weapons could be encountered, or when high-visibility and easy identification of CAP members is desired.
A2.2. Safety Apparel
A2.2.1. Safety vests are approved for wear over the outermost garment of AF-style uniform or corporate uniform.
A2.2.2. Other safety apparel is approved for wear as the outermost garment over the corporate uniform only. Examples of safety apparel are coats, jackets, rain wear and may include orange or lime green reflective pants in conjunction with upper-body wear.
A2.3. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines. While no laws mandate the use of ANSI compliant safety vests or safety apparel for CAP activities, ANSI is the recognized standard for high visibility safety apparel, and ANSI compliant safety apparel (Class 1, 2, or 3) should be the choice for all CAP activities when risk assessments determine high visibility apparel is required. If it is determined that high visibility apparel is required as a risk control, ANSI compliant apparel will be used unless other reasonable risk controls are put in place and wing commander approval is obtained.
A2.4. Members in specific duty positions are authorized to have their mission duty title logoed on their safety vests or safety apparel to allow easy identification during CAP events. SEs working in an official safety capacity are authorized to wear safety vests or safety apparel with the words “safety” or “safety officer” logoed on their safety vests or safety apparel to facilitate identification and ready access to all event functions and venues.
CAPR 39-1 3 March 2020 CHAPTER 9 – DISTINCTIVE UNIFORMS, ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT
9.5. Wear of Items Required for Emergency Services or Safe Operations. Items required to be worn by the various Task Guides as published by NHQ/DO are authorized to be worn with the USAF-style and Corporate-style utility and flight uniforms. These items will generally be colored black, brown, olive drab green, tan, camouflage or other conservative colors unless specifically required to be high visibility and will be conservative in appearance. Commanders will ensure that these items meet the requirements of the NHQ/DO published task training guide and are limited for wear to those situations that operational or training activities make them a requirement for successful mission accomplishment. Commanders will use discretion in authorizing wear of these items with dress uniforms. These items include:
9.5.1. Safety vest or safety apparel worn in accordance with instructions found in CAPR 62-1, CAP Safety Program, and emergency services task guides.
9.5.2. “Camelback” or canteen water containers.
9.5.3. Poncho or other raingear.
9.5.4. Web belts, load bearing equipment, rescue vests, and other 24 hours gear as noted in emergency services task guides.
9.5.5. Backpack.