New Zealand

Urban Search & Rescue

www.usar.govt.nz

Best Practice Guideline

Orange Cards & Endorsements

December 2004
Training & Standards Working Group

In association with

Version 1.2
New Zealand Urban Search & Rescue
Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

Contents
CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 3
ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................................................ 3
PURPOSE ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Responder Card......................................................................................................................................... 3
Task Force Card........................................................................................................................................ 4
ENDORSEMENTS ............................................................................................................................................ 4
APPLICATION ............................................................................................................................................... 5
APPLICATION FORM....................................................................................................................................... 5
Postal Address ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Email Address............................................................................................................................................ 5
PROOF OF COMPLETION ................................................................................................................................. 5
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS ................................................................................................................................ 5
ROLE OF FRSITO .......................................................................................................................................... 5
ENDORSEMENTS.......................................................................................................................................... 6
K9 BASIC ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
K9 ADVANCED........................................................................................................................................... 6
ROPE ACCESS............................................................................................................................................. 6
ROPE TECH ................................................................................................................................................. 6
ROPE SPEC .................................................................................................................................................. 6
RT LEADER ................................................................................................................................................. 6
RT MEDIC .................................................................................................................................................... 6
CAT2 TECH.................................................................................................................................................. 7
CS BASIC ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
CS TECH....................................................................................................................................................... 7
ENGINEER 1 ................................................................................................................................................ 7
ENGINEER 2 ................................................................................................................................................ 8
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE ......................................................................................................... 9
AUTHORISED TASK FORCE CARD COORDINATORS ..................................................................................... 10
USAR RESPONDER CARD APPLICATION FORM .............................................................................. 11

USAR TASK FORCE CARD APPLICATION FORM............................................................................. 12

© 2004
National USAR Training & Standards Working Group
C/- Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management
PO Box 5010
Wellington
New Zealand

In association with

Fire & Rescue Services Industry Training Organisation

PO Box 11988
Wellington
New Zealand
Phone (04) 801-9469
Email info@frsito.org.nz
Website www.frsito.org.nz

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New Zealand Urban Search & Rescue
Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

Introduction
Abbreviations
CIMS Coordinated Incident Management System
FRSITO Fire & Rescue Services Industry Training Organisation
RCC Recognition of Current Competency
USAR Urban Search & Rescue

Purpose
This guideline has been developed to establish criteria for the endorsements of USAR Responder
and Technician Orange Cards and for use by the FRSITO in the administration of Orange Card
applications.

Background
The USAR Orange Cards provide a multi agency incident ground competency certification for the
following categories:

• CAT-1R Responder Card

• TF Task Force Card

Both cards can have a range of common endorsements indicating the holder’s additional expertise.

Responder Card
The Responder Card is available to any person who meets the below general requirements.

The Responder Card requires achievement of the following unit standards:

General requirements

• 6400, 6401 & 6402 Comprehensive First Aid*

• 17279 Introduction to CIMS
• 10618 or 7318 General Rescue
• 18516 USAR Awareness (CAT-1A)

* An exemption for 6400, 6401 and 6402 is given for those who provide proof of achieving unit
standard 14471 provide extended first aid.

Attendance certificates are not deemed proof of achievement/competency.

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New Zealand Urban Search & Rescue
Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

Task Force Card

The Task Force card is restricted to operational members of a New Zealand USAR Task Force as
recognised by the National USAR Steering Committee. The Task Force Card is available for all
Task Force members including managers, technicians, support personnel, and specialists.

All Task Force Cards must be ordered in accordance with the Task Force Card Order Procedure,
applications outside this process will not be authorised or entertained.

General requirements

• 6400, 6401, 6402 Comprehensive first aid *

• 17279 Introduction to CIMS
• 18516 USAR Awareness (CAT-1A)

* An exemption for 6400, 6401 and 6402 is given for those who provide proof of achieving unit
standard 14471 provide extended first aid.

Endorsements
Upon the completion of the either Responder or Task Force Card requirements the following
endorsements are available upon meeting respective criteria.

• K9 Basic
• K9 Advanced
• Rope Responder
• Rope Technician
• Rope Specialist
• Response Team Leader
• Response Team Medic
• Task Force Technician
• Confined Space Responder
• Confined Space Technician
• USAR Engineer Level 1
• USAR Engineer Level 2

Endorsements are developed as part of specialist strands within the National Certificate in Urban
Search & Rescue or under other Industry or National Qualifications. Further specialist strands will
be developed in the future, providing further endorsements being available.

Unit standard descriptors are available from www.nzqa.govt.nz.

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New Zealand Urban Search & Rescue
Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

Application
Application Form
Applications are made to FRSITO on the official application form and sent to:

Postal Address
FRSITO
PO Box 11988
Wellington

Email Address
info@frsito.org.nz

Proof of completion
Where a unit standard is required, the achievement of the unit must be recorded on the applicants
NZQA record of learning. Engineering endorsements require a copy of the IPENZ/USAR certificate
to accompany the application.

Records of Learning are available online from www.nzqa.govt.nz or by contacting NZQA on

telephone (04) 802-3000.

Provider or ITO result forms are no longer sufficient, nor are course certificates stating unit
standard completion.

Digital Photographs
A digital photograph shall be supplied with each application or renewal, as the photograph is not
kept on file after processing.

The supplied file shall meet specifications in the USAR Orange Card terms and conditions,
otherwise the application may be refused or a fee charged for editing or scanning.

Role of FRSITO
FRSITO is the industry training organisation for the fire and rescue industry and administers the
database for, and issue of USAR orange cards. For further information visit www.frsito.org.nz

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New Zealand Urban Search & Rescue
Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

Endorsements
The following establishes criteria for currently available endorsements.

K9 BASIC
Full Title: Canine Search Specialist – Basic

Criteria: 19659 Train a dog for urban search and rescue incidents

K9 ADVANCED
Full Title: Canine Search Specialist – Advanced

Criteria: 19658 Train a dog to locate multiple victims at urban search and rescue incidents.

ROPE ACCESS
Full Title: Rope Rescue Responder (Tier 2)

Criteria: 20537 Provide initial response at rope rescue incidents.

ROPE TECH
Full Title: Rope Rescue Technician (Tier 3)

Criteria: 20538 Perform descender based rope rescue

ROPE SPEC
Full Title: Rope Rescue Specialist (Tier 4)

Criteria: 20539 Perform specialist rope rescue

RT LEADER
Full Title: Response Leader

Criteria: 17280 Apply the coordinated incident management system

16803 Coordinate emergency response activities
16808 Coordinate emergency response teams
RT MEDIC
Full Title: Response Medic

Criteria: 14470 Provide enhanced life support

14471 Provide extended first aid
14772 Carry out shock advisory defibrillation
14473 Move and position patients in preparation for transport
7319 Manage a casualty sorting area within a civil defence environment

Those holding higher qualifications should seek RCC from an accredited provider.

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Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

CAT2 TECH
Full Title: Task Force Technician (CAT2)

Criteria: 20540 Undertake structural collapse rescue as part of an urban search and rescue
operation.
10618 or 7318 Rescue casualties using (civil defence) rescue techniques.

CS BASIC
Full Title: Confined Space Responder

Criteria: 17599 Plan a confined space entry

18426 Demonstrate knowledge of hazards associated with confined space.

CS TECH
Full Title: Confined Space Technician

Criteria: 17599 Plan a confined space entry

18426 Demonstrate knowledge of hazards associated with confined space.
3272 Wear breathing apparatus in general emergencies

And either:

3058 Perform gas testing in chemical and energy environments or

14562 perform specialist rescues in confined space

ENGINEER 1
Full Title: USAR Engineer Level 1

Criteria: Provide copy of USAR/IPEENZ USAR Engineer Level 1 Certificate

Verification can be sought from engineering@usar.govt.nz

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New Zealand Urban Search & Rescue
Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

ENGINEER 2
Full Title: USAR Engineer Level 2

Criteria: Provide copy of USAR/IPEENZ USAR Engineer Level 2 Certificate

Verification can be sought from engineering@usar.govt.nz

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New Zealand Urban Search & Rescue
Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

Terms and Conditions of use

1. Any misuse of an USAR Orange Card will be brought to the attention of the USAR Training
Standards Working Group for appropriate action to be taken. Misuse may result in the card
being recalled.

2. Applicants wishing to change or add to the endorsements listed on their card will have to
make a new application, providing evidence of new endorsements, and pay another $15.00
application fee (incl. GST).

3. Applicants seeking additional or replacement cards must submit a new application with the
standard application fee.

4. Task Force Orange cards must be ordered by and supplied only to those listed in the
Authorised Task Force Card Coordinators list.

5. The USAR Orange Card does not confer any statutory powers, nor considered proof of
identification under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.

6. FRSITO have the right to refuse applications that are not completed correctly or have
photographs not meeting the following specifications:

a. File supplied on CD, 3.5” disk or by email (info@frsito.org.nz)

b. High resolution – 300 dpi
c. Greyscale
d. TIF format
e. 27mm x 27mm
f. Plain background (no work area etc).
g. Printed pictures no longer accepted.
h. File name saved as [last name]_[first name] example: smith_john.jpg

7. Personal details supplied are kept on the FRSITO database and the following organisations
have access to these details for the purpose of monitoring capability developing and learner
achievement, verifying certification and to assist operational activities.

a. New Zealand Qualifications Authority

b. Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management
c. New Zealand Fire Service
d. Tertiary Education Commission
e. National USAR Steering Committee (and Working Groups).

8. Task Force cards remain the property of the New Zealand Fire Service and must be
returned upon demand to Task Force Management.

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New Zealand Urban Search & Rescue
Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

Authorised Task Force Card Coordinators

Task Force Orange Cards must be ordered and supplied only to:

Bernie Rush, USAR National Support Team

Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management
PO Box 5010
Wellington

Jim Stuart-Black, National Manager Special Operations

New Zealand Fire Service – National HQ
PO Box 2133
Wellington

Graeme Mills, USAR Task Force 1 Leader

New Zealand Fire Service
PO Box 688
Palmerston North

Artie Lind, USAR Task Force 2 Leader

New Zealand Fire Service
PO Box 683
Timaru

Roy Breeze, USAR Task Force 3 Leader

New Zealand Fire Service
PO Box 68-444
Auckland

All orders must be on an official order form. No other person may request Task Force Cards.

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New Zealand Urban Search & Rescue
Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

USAR Responder Card Application Form

Personal Details
Name DOB

Address Phone (Day Time)

Phone (Evening)

Phone (Mobile)

Order Number (if applicable) NZQA NSI/ID

Team/Affiliation Details
Team/Brigade/Unit Name Registered Response Team Number (if applicable) i.e. NZ-RT7

Agency Fire Service Rural Fire Red Cross Search Dog Unit Private organisation
Type Civil Defence Industrial response NZLSAR Ambulance Other (Specify)

NZ Defence Force Police Govt. Dept. Coastguard

Endorsements: All Responder cards require 6400-2 (or 14471), 10618/7318, 18516, and 17279.

Endorsement Criteria Endorsement Criteria

K9 Basic 19659 Task Force Technician 20540

K9 Advanced 19658 Con-Space Responder 17599, 18426

Rope Access 20537 Con-Space Technician 17599, 18426, 14562, 3272

Rope Technician 20538 Engineer Level 1 IPENZ USAR Level 1 Cert

Rope Specialist 20539 Engineer Level 2 IPENZ USAR Level 2 Cert

Response Leader 17280, 16803, 16808

Response Medic 14470, 14471, 14472, 14473,

7319.

Agreement

I agree to the terms and conditions as laid out in the USAR Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards &
Endorsements and I have attached a copy of my NZQA Record of Learning (ROL) to confirm I have
achieved the unit standards required for this application.

_____________________________ __________________
Applicants signature Date

Attach: $15 Payment (Cheque made out to FRSITO or Order Number), photo file & NZQA ROL.
Send to: FRSITO, PO Box 11988, Wellington.

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Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards & Endorsements

USAR Task Force Card Application Form

Personal Details
Name DOB

Address Phone (Day Time)

Phone (Evening)

Phone (Mobile)

NZQA NSI/ID

Order Number (if applicable) Team Name Agency Type

Task Force 1 / 2 / 3 USAR Task Force

Endorsements: All Task Force cards require 6400-2 (or 14471), 18516, and 17279.

Endorsement Criteria Endorsement Criteria

K9 Basic 19659 Task Force Technician 20540 and either 7318 or
10618
K9 Advanced 19658 Con-Space Responder 17599, 18426

Rope Access 20537 Con-Space Technician 17599, 18426, 14562, 3272

Rope Technician 20538 Engineer Level 1 IPENZ USAR Level 1 Cert

Rope Specialist 20539 Engineer Level 2 IPENZ USAR Level 2 Cert

Response Leader 17280, 16803, 16808

Response Medic 14470, 14471, 14472, 14473,

7319.

Agreement

I agree to the terms and conditions as laid out in the USAR Best Practice Guideline: Orange Cards
& Endorsements and I have attached a copy of my NZQA record of learning to confirm I have
achieved the unit standards required for this application.

_____________________________ __________________
Applicants signature Date

Authorisation

As an Authorised Task Force Card Coordinator, I authorise the above TF Card to be issued.

_____________________________ __________________
Authorised TF Card Coordinator Date

Attach: $15 Payment (Cheque made out to FRSITO or Order Number), photo file & NZQA ROL.
Send to: FRSITO, PO Box 11988, Wellington.

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