The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) ResponseSystem, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has scheduled a StructuresSpecialist (StS) “Regional Training” (RT) Course to be held July 13-14, 2024, at the PA-TF1 Training Site in Harrisburg, PA. This will be the SECOND delivery of the “Version 8” curriculum. This training course is offered to Task Force StS who need initial or refresher training in Damaged Building Assessment, Crane Chart use, Shoring Size-up/Design, Survey 123 and QuickCapture, Task Force interactions during an US&R response and Advanced Total Station Monitoring. Students who completed StS1 training and any previous RT training are highly encouraged to attend this RT “skills enhancement” session. Other non-engineer Task Force personnel are also encouraged to attend for awareness level training. This training will sharpen and add to knowledge that will enhance the Task Force capabilities and readiness.
The Regional Training sessions are intended for Structures Specialists in the region to minimize oreliminate the impacts to one’s daily job. The Eastern Regional Training doesn’t preclude other StS fromoutside the region from attending. These weekend courses will consist of short review lectures, tabletops, and field exercises. The StS will be using the StS Forms for the tabletop and monitoring training portions of the class. The end result is for the StS to be as prepared as possible for a deployment.
Eastern Division Task Forces are encouraged to send as many of their StS as feasible due to the proximityof the training. West and Central Division Task Forces will be allowed to send at least two StS and more students will be accepted if space permits.
Applications should be submitted by June 21st. To register for the course, fill out the online application at www.DisasterEngineer.org (select “Training Applications” from the top menu and click on the desired training course). The training is provided at no charge to the student. However, travel, hotel, and per diem costs will be the responsibility of the student and/or their Task Force. Students will be responsible for transportation from their hotel to the training location. This updated curriculum is based on the feedback from the Structures Specialists within and in support of the FEMA National US&R Response System. Under ESF#9, and by Interagency Agreement, the Corps is directed to provide and facilitate training for StS. Task Force StS are required to bring one Task Force Total Station and a tripod for each one or two StS they send to the RT training class.
Course Logistical Information:
Time: Saturday 0800 thru 1800 with 1/2 hour lunch period (box lunches with a drink will be available for no more than $15) and Sunday 0730 thru 1330 (no lunch). Schedule established to permit late evening arrival Friday and late afternoon departure Sunday.)
Lodging Options:
Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel
4650 Lindle Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17111
(888) 236-2427
Room Block Reference: USACE (or US Army Corps of Engineers)
https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1715020848444&key=GRP
Cut-off Date: 21-June-2024
These group reservations honor the Federal Government Rate for this area of $121.00/night, tax excluded.
• The FEMA US&R StS Position Description recommends that Task Force StS complete this training every 2-years. This is continuing education, the SECOND scheduled training for this version 8 curriculum.
• Training focuses on assessing structural behavior of damaged buildings, crane chart review/field exercise, advanced Total Station monitoring, SARCOP/RST, use of StS forms, case studies on recent events (Turkey EQ and Maui Wildfires) and other topics.
• Training mission is to provide two days (15-hours) of individual intensive hands-on training.
• Space will be limited to maximize hands-on field training and ensure mission success.
• Class tuition is free (meals, lodging & travel must be covered by Task Force, Agency, or students).
• Travel/transport from Harrisburg Airport to the primary hotel is 7 miles.
• Travel from the aforementioned hotels to the training site is approximately 10 miles.
Training location: Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)
Shumaker Public Safety Center
One HACC Drive, Gate #5, Harrisburg, PA 17110
POC: Greg Rogalski, PA-TF1, 717-440-4965, grogalski1@gmail.com
Shipping location: Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)
Public Safety Center
One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Attention: Kevin Dalpiaz, Fire Training Coordinator
(NOTE: HACC personnel will ensure your equipment is secured at the training location. Individuals are responsible for packing and shipping their equipment to and from the training site. Return shipping must be 100% ready, packed, and include your shipping form/account. Provide your own shipping material, supplies and tape please. Instructors are not responsible for packing/funding shipment of total stations or tripods.)
Required Equipment:
- Laptop computer, hand held calculator, notebook, tape measure, Crosby User’s Guide, FOG booklet (NOTE: EachFEMA Task Force was issued 250 copies of the newest FOG Edition 9 back in June 2022).
- Nikon NPL-352, NIVO or Series N Total Station & tripod (1 per StS or team of two StS from each Task Force).
- One set minimum of the StS Forms from disasterengineer.org.
- Attire is official Task Force BDUs and/or Task Force t-shirt as well as standard PPE (helmet, boots, gloves, eye & earprotection, knee pads, sun block, rain gear, etc.).
To Register for Training:
Complete the online application at www.DisasterEngineer.org. On the top menu bar, select “TrainingApplications” then click on the desired training course to open the proper online application. Aftercompleting the application, click “SUBMIT.” There is also Course Logistics Info available on thisapplication page.
Additional Information contact:
Primary: Jeff Qunell, P.E., w: (415) 503-6616, c: (916) 502-4145, Jeffrey.J.Qunell@usace.army.milAlternate: Alan Fisher. (MA-TF1), c: (207) 415-7558, afisher@cianbro.com
