The Foundation
FEMA RTLT Standards
The Resource Typing Library Tool is the national framework that defines what every disaster response role requires. Grey Sky builds certification pathways for every position, team, and resource type FEMA defines — all 612 entries.
What is FEMA RTLT?
When a disaster strikes and mutual aid is requested, the receiving jurisdiction needs to know exactly what they're getting. A “search and rescue team” could mean wildly different things depending on who sent it. FEMA's Resource Typing Library Tool solves this by defining, in precise detail, what every response role requires.
For each position in each discipline, RTLT specifies the required training courses, certifications, physical fitness standards, and experience levels. It's the common language that lets a Type 1 HazMat Technician from Florida deploy seamlessly alongside one from California — because they were qualified against the same standard.
The RTLT contains 612 entries across four types: Resource Typing Definitions, Position Qualifications, Position Task Books, and EOC Skillsets — spanning every discipline involved in disaster operations.
RTLT by the Numbers
Portable
Your qualifications follow you across agencies, states, and employers. No more rebuilding your record every time you move.
Verified
Not just a certificate on a wall. RTLT-aligned credentials are backed by documented training, experience, and validation.
Recognized
A nationally defined standard means your qualifications are understood and trusted across every jurisdiction in the country.
FEMA RTLT Aligned
17+ Discipline Categories
Grey Sky covers the entire FEMA RTLT database. Each discipline represents a specialized community of professionals with distinct training requirements and operational environments.
Animal Emergency Response
AERSpecialists who rescue, shelter, and provide veterinary triage for animals displaced or endangered by disasters.
Emergency Medical Services
EMSPre-hospital emergency medical providers including AEMTs, paramedics, aeromedical transport crews, and EMS strike teams.
Fire / Hazardous Materials
Fire/HazMatStructural and wildland firefighters, ARFF crews, and HazMat technicians who contain chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
Incident Management
IMTICS command and general staff, operations section chiefs, planning section chiefs, and all positions responsible for multi-agency operational coordination.
Operational Communications
COMLCommunications specialists who establish and maintain interoperable voice and data systems during incidents.
Law Enforcement Operations
LETactical and operational law enforcement teams including SWAT, bomb squads, crisis negotiation, and law enforcement strike teams.
Mass Care Services
MCSShelter managers, feeding teams, distribution point managers, disaster case managers, and access and functional needs advisors.
Medical and Public Health
MPHPhysicians, nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health professionals, epidemiologists, and medical surge teams serving public health missions.
Public Works
PWInfrastructure assessment and restoration specialists covering damage assessment, debris management, utility restoration, and structural evaluation.
Search and Rescue
SARUS&R task forces, swiftwater rescue teams, land SAR, waterborne SAR, air search teams, and canine SAR units operating across all environments.
Cybersecurity
CYBERCyber incident response teams and analysts who protect critical infrastructure and respond to cyber threats during emergencies.
Fatality Management
FMDMORT teams, victim identification specialists, and family assistance center personnel who ensure dignity and accountability in mass fatality events.
Logistics
LOGSupply unit leaders, facilities unit leaders, and ground support personnel who sustain incident operations through resource management.
Situational Assessment
SAGIS specialists, damage assessment teams, and situation unit leaders who collect, analyze, and disseminate critical incident intelligence.
Community Lifelines
CLCross-cutting discipline covering energy, communications, transportation, food/water/shelter, health/medical, hazardous materials, and safety/security.
Environmental Response
EREnvironmental health specialists, oil spill responders, and decontamination teams protecting ecological systems and public health.
Volunteer & Donations Management
VDMVolunteer coordinators and donations managers who organize spontaneous volunteers and manage the flow of donated goods and services.
How Grey Sky Operationalizes RTLT
“FEMA defines the standard. Grey Sky ensures it is verified, maintained, and operationalized.”
Completed
Every required course, exercise, and evaluation is tracked and documented.
Documented
Training records, deployment history, and supervisor validations in one place.
Validated
Third-party review processes confirm qualifications meet FEMA standards.
Maintained
Ongoing revalidation ensures credentials stay current and deployment-ready.