IST is committed to ensuring unit members are skilled and proficient at our roles. To that end, members are asked to invest significant training time during their first year of membership (the “novice” year), as well as annual continuing education.
Required training includes three components: prerequisite online training, Washington State Core Competency Certification, and IST unit specific requirements, as detailed below.
Prerequisite Training
Online training required to apply for membership. FEMA training is free of charge to volunteers.
- IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System (FEMA, online)
- IS-700: National Incident Management System Introduction (FEMA, online)
Washington State Search and Rescue Core Competency Training
Training required for all search and rescue workers in King County within the first year of membership; recertification required every five years.
There are two levels of Core Competency responder certification available in King County: Limited Field, and Field. IST requires members to be certified at the Limited Field level, but encourages members to complete all Core Competency training.
All core competency training is available free of charge to IST members through a series of in-person and online training. Core Competency topics include training in the following subjects (or equivalencies):
- Legal Issues
- Survival Skills and Equipment
- Radio Communications (Ham radio license will satisfy this requirement)
- Land Navigation and GPS Operation
- Crime Scene Identification and Management
- Search Organization and Management
- Search Techniques
- Helicopter Safety
- Subject and Searcher First Aid/CPR
- Rescue Techniques
- Searcher Safety
- Clue Awareness
- Physical and Mental Fitness Attestation
IST Unit Specific Training
Training required for IST members related to the roles and responsibilities of the unit. FEMA training is free of charge to volunteers.
Within one year of membership:
- ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (FEMA, online)
- ICS-800: National Response Framework (FEMA, online)
- ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents (FEMA)
- ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System (FEMA)
- FCC Amateur Radio Technician License
More information on search and rescue training requirements can be found at the King County SAR site or by contacting the IST Training Director, training@kcist.org.
