ASTM F2685-14(2022)

Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search Team Leader (STL)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide establishes the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities that a person must have to perform as a Land Search Team Leader. No other skills are included or implied.  
4.2 Every person who is identified as a Land Search Team Leader shall have met the requirements of this guide.  
4.3 This guide is to be used by individuals, organizations, and agencies that wish to identify the minimum training required for a Land Search Team Leader.  
4.3.1 Determining the requirements and qualifications for team members is the responsibility of the AHJ.  
4.3.2 The AHJ shall determine the depth or detail of training required to meet these needs.  
4.3.3 Nothing in this standard precludes an AHJ from requiring additional knowledge, skills, or abilities for its members.  
4.4 This guide does not stand alone and must be used with the referenced documents to provide specific information needed by an STL or AHJ.  
4.5 This guide can be used to evaluate a book or other document to determine if its content meets the necessary topics for training an STL. Likewise, the guide can be used to evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets the requirements in this guide.  
4.6 This guide by itself is not a training document. It is an outline of the topics required for training or evaluating a Land Search Team Leader.  
4.7 The knowledge, skills, and abilities defined in this guide are not presented in any particular order and do not represent a training sequence.  
4.8 A Land Search Team Leader shall document his or her training by completion of a position task book, compliant with Guide F3068, or by field demonstration under qualified supervision.  
4.9 Unless stated otherwise, an ability or proficiency in a skill shall be demonstrated for initial qualification and then as often as required by the AHJ.  
4.10 Except where a physical skill or ability must be demonstrated, the AHJ shall determine the best way to evaluate a person’s knowledge. This may be by writ...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide establishes the minimum training standard for Land Search Team Leaders as it relates to their general, field, and search-specific knowledge, skills, and experience.  
1.2 A Land Search Team Leader searches on the surface of the land only, including urban or disaster areas that may be isolated or have lost supporting infrastructure.  
1.3 This guide does not provide the minimum training requirements for searching in partially or fully collapsed structures, in or on water, in confined spaces, or underground (such as in caves, mines, and tunnels).  
1.4 No knots, rope, litter, or other rescue skills are required of a Land Search Team Leader.  
1.5 A Land Search Team Leader can be utilized as a field team leader, a single resource for sign cutting, a support person for a canine search team, and to establish search area boundaries in the field.  
1.6 A Land Search Team Leader is eligible to supervise Type II search teams or crews as defined in Classification F1993. Type II teams which may utilize personnel trained to this standard are:  
1.6.1 Kind A (wilderness);  
1.6.2 Kind B (urban);  
1.6.3 Kind C (mountainous);  
1.6.4 Kind J (evidence/cadaver);  
1.6.5 King K (missing aircraft).  
1.7 Further training may be required before a Land Search Team Leader can participate on a particular kind of search team, depending on the AHJ’s regulations or policies.  
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued b...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2022
• ICS: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.03 - Personnel, Training and Education

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F1993-24 - Standard Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM F2890-17(2024) - Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM F1767-14(2020) - Standard Guide for Forms Used for Search and Rescue
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM F3072-14(2020) - Standard Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IIW) Endorsement
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM F1583-95(2019) - Standard Practice for Communications Procedures—Phonetics
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM F1773-09(2015) - Standard Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering, Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices (Withdrawn 2024)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM F1767-14 - Standard Guide for Forms Used for Search and Rescue
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2014
• Refers: ASTM F3072-14 - Standard Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IIW) Endorsement
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Refers: ASTM F2890-12 - Standard Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Refers: ASTM F1583-95(2012) - Standard Practice for Communications Procedures—Phonetics
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM F2209-10 - Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM F1773-09 - Standard Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering, Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM F1633-97(2008) - Standard Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn 2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM F1583-95(2006) - Standard Practice for Communications Procedures-Phonetics
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2006
• Refers: ASTM F1767-98(2005) - Standard Guide for Forms Used for Search and Rescue (Withdrawn 2014)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005

Overview

ASTM F2685-14(2022) - Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search Team Leader (STL) defines the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required for individuals to serve effectively as Land Search Team Leaders. Developed by ASTM International, this guide ensures team leaders are equipped to coordinate search operations conducted on land, including urban, wilderness, disaster, and mountainous environments. It is an essential resource for organizations, agencies, and individuals developing or evaluating training programs for search and rescue (SAR) operations on land.

Key Topics

• Minimum Qualifications: Outlines the baseline competencies for Land Search Team Leaders, covering general, field, and search-specific expertise.
• Scope of Operations: Applies only to surface land searches, including urban and disaster scenarios, but excludes collapsed structures, water, confined spaces, or subterranean environments such as caves and tunnels.
• Training Requirements: Specifies that the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) determines the depth and frequency of training beyond the minimum outlined guide.
• Demonstration of Proficiency: Knowledge, physical fitness, and skills must be both initially demonstrated and regularly maintained or renewed as required by the AHJ.
• Documentation: Training completion should be documented through a position task book or supervised field demonstration in accordance with ASTM guidelines.
• Leadership and Communication: Emphasizes leadership responsibilities, maintenance of team morale, use of standard communication protocols (including radio communications and phonetic alphabet), and proper documentation during SAR operations.
• Search Operations: Covers land navigation using maps, compass, and GPS, planning and executing search assignments, team briefing/debriefing, and handling environmental and safety challenges.

Applications

ASTM F2685-14(2022) provides practical value for:

• Emergency Response Agencies: Ensures SAR team leaders meet consistent baseline training, improving performance and safety in local, regional, or national land search operations.
• Search and Rescue Organizations: Offers a structured template for evaluating and documenting leader qualifications, supporting credibility during mutual aid or collaborative incidents.
• Training Providers: Serves as an evaluative tool to audit or design search team leader training curricula, ensuring compliance with recognized industry standards.
• Regulatory and Oversight Bodies: Facilitates the implementation of clear, evidence-based personnel requirements aligning with internationally recognized standards.
• Team Leaders and Aspiring Leaders: Guides professional development, clarifying required areas of competency and pathways to demonstrate leadership in real-world SAR scenarios.

Related Standards

The ASTM F2685-14(2022) standard references several other critical documents and standards that can aid in comprehensive training and evaluation of Land Search Team Leaders:

• ASTM F1993: Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources
• ASTM F2209: Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member
• ASTM F1583: Practice for Communications Procedures-Phonetics
• ASTM F1767: Guide for Forms Used for Search and Rescue
• ASTM F1773: Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering, Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices
• ASTM F2890: Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue Personnel
• ASTM F3068: Guide for Contents and Use of a Position Task Book (PTB)
• ASTM F3072: Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IIW) Endorsement
• NWCG PMS 307: Work Capacity Testing for Wildland Firefighters

Conclusion

By adopting ASTM F2685-14(2022), organizations and individuals involved in land search and rescue operations can ensure Land Search Team Leaders are properly qualified, fostering effective, safe, and professional SAR responses. This guide provides a solid framework for training, evaluating, and documenting the readiness of SAR leaders, playing a pivotal role in successful search operations across a variety of challenging environments.

Keywords: land search, search team leader, search and rescue training, ASTM F2685, SAR standard, leadership, land navigation, emergency response

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2685 − 14 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
Training of a Land Search Team Leader (STL)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2685; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This guide establishes the minimum training standard
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
for Land Search Team Leaders as it relates to their general,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
field, and search-specific knowledge, skills, and experience.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 A Land Search Team Leader searches on the surface of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
the land only, including urban or disaster areas that may be
isolated or have lost supporting infrastructure. 2. Referenced Documents
1.3 This guide does not provide the minimum training 2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1583 Practice for Communications Procedures—Phonetics
requirements for searching in partially or fully collapsed
structures, in or on water, in confined spaces, or underground F1633 Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn
2017)
(such as in caves, mines, and tunnels).
F1767 Guide for Forms Used for Search and Rescue
1.4 No knots, rope, litter, or other rescue skills are required
F1773 Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering,
of a Land Search Team Leader.
Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices
1.5 A Land Search Team Leader can be utilized as a field
F1993 Classification System of Human Land Search and
team leader, a single resource for sign cutting, a support person
Rescue Resources
for a canine search team, and to establish search area bound-
F2209 Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member
aries in the field.
F2890 Guide for Hazard Awareness for Search and Rescue
Personnel
1.6 A Land Search Team Leader is eligible to supervise
F3068 Guide for Contents and Use of a Position Task Book
Type II search teams or crews as defined in Classification
(PTB)
F1993. Type II teams which may utilize personnel trained to
F3072 Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use
this standard are:
(GPS/GNSS-IIW) Endorsement
1.6.1 Kind A (wilderness);
2.2 Other Documents:
1.6.2 Kind B (urban);
NWCG PMS 307 Work Capacity Testing for Wildland
1.6.3 Kind C (mountainous);
Firefighters
1.6.4 Kind J (evidence/cadaver);
1.6.5 King K (missing aircraft).
3. Terminology
1.7 Further training may be required before a Land Search
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Team Leader can participate on a particular kind of search
3.1.1 wilderness, n—a setting in which the delivery of
team, depending on the AHJ’s regulations or policies.
patient care by SAR personnel is adversely affected by logis-
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tical complications, such as: an environment that is physically
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
stressful or hazardous to the patient, SAR personnel, or both;
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
remoteness of the patient’s location, such that it causes a delay
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
in the delivery of care to the patient; or lack of adequate
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
medical supplies, equipment, or transportation.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel, Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Training and Education. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved July 1, 2022. Published July 2022. Originally approved The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F2685 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/ www.astm.org.
F2685-14R22. http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/newshelt/workcaptest_lo.pdf.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2685 − 14 (2022)
3.2 For definitions of other terms used in this guide, see 5.2.1 The recommended minimum physical performance
GuideF1633,TerminologyF1773,ClassificationF1993,Guide requirement for a Land Search Team Leader is the “Moderate”
F2209, and other references within this guide. level as defined in NWCG PMS 307 (see Appendix X1).
4. Significance and Use 6. Personal and Team Equipment
4.1 This guide establishes the minimum knowledge, skills, 6.1 A Land Search Team Leader shall demonstrate profi-
and abilities that a person must have to perform as a Land ciency in the use and operation of all personal equipment.
Search Team Leader. No other skills are included or implied.
6.2 A Land Search Team Leader shall demonstrate profi-
4.2 Every person who is identified as a Land Search Team ciency in the use and operation of all team equipment required
Leader shall have met the requirements of this guide. by the AHJ.
4.3 This guide is to be used by individuals, organizations, 6.3 A Land Search Team Leader shall possess and demon-
strate the ability to use all personal protective equipment
and agencies that wish to identify the minimum training
required for a Land Search Team Leader. required by the AHJ.
4.3.1 Determining the requirements and qualifications for
7. General Knowledge and Skills
team members is the responsibility of the AHJ.
4.3.2 TheAHJshalldeterminethedepthordetailoftraining
7.1 A Land Search Team Leader shall have met all of the
required to meet these needs.
qualifications for, and have functioned as a Land Search Team
4.3.3 Nothing in this standard precludes an AHJ from
Member (Guide F2209) or equivalent for a length of time
requiring additional knowledge, skills, or abilities for its
determined by the AHJ.
members.
7.1.1 Itisrecommendedthatthistimeperiodshallbenoless
than one year.
4.4 This guide does not stand alone and must be used with
the referenced documents to provide specific information
7.2 A Land Search Team Leader shall have successfully
needed by an STL or AHJ.
completed the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
course ICS-200 “ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action
4.5 This guide can be used to evaluate a book or other
Incidents.”
document to determine if its content meets the necessary topics
for training an STL. Likewise, the guide can be used to
7.3 A Land Search Team Leader shall have met all qualifi-
evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets the
cations for Standard Guide for Hazardous Awareness for
requirements in this guide.
Search and Rescue Personnel (Guide F2890) or equivalent.
4.6 This guide by itself is not a training document. It is an
7.4 ALand Search Team Leader shall complete the Depart-
outline of the topics required for training or evaluating a Land
ment of Interior, Office ofAviation Management (DOI OAM),
Search Team Leader.
Course A100—Basic Aviation Safety, or equivalent training.
4.7 The knowledge, skills, and abilities defined in this guide
7.5 A Land Search Team Leader shall earn and maintain
are not presented in any particular order and do not represent
certification in adult, child, and two-rescuer CPR.
a training sequence.
7.6 A Land Search Team Leader shall earn and maintain
4.8 A Land Search Team Leader shall document his or her
certification in Wilderness First Aid or a more advanced level
training by completion of a position task book, compliant with
of emergency care.
Guide F3068, or by field demonstration under qualified super-
vision.
8. Leadership Knowledge and Skills
4.9 Unless stated otherwise, an
...