CSRTA Rescue Team Manager – represents the highest level of leadership, governance, and strategic control within confined space rescue operations. Progressing beyond direct team command, the Manager assumes full organisational responsibility for ensuring that every aspect of confined space entry, rescue, and recovery complies with legislative, operational, environmental, and organisational requirements.
 
At this senior level, the Manager combines extensive technical knowledge with advanced leadership capability to shape safe systems of work, direct multi-site operations, and maintain organisational readiness for both routine and high-risk situations.
 
Building on the leadership and advanced rescue competencies embedded within VRTO2 and the Team Leader role, the Rescue Manager oversees the safe planning, governance, and operational coordination of rescue arrangements across multiple sites or complex projects.
 
This includes authoring and reviewing Rescue and Recovery Arrangements, evaluating detailed Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), applying high-level hazard identification methodologies, and integrating environmental impact considerations into strategic decision-making.
 
The Manager is responsible for resilience testing, ensuring that personnel, systems, and equipment can perform reliably under high stress conditions, and for the continuous refinement of emergency procedures through structured drills, post-incident learning, and evidence-based review.
 
At an operational level, the Rescue Manager maintains oversight of rescue vehicle inventories, specialist equipment allocation, permit-to-work systems, isolations, LOTO processes, and site readiness across their area of responsibility. They act as the senior command during major incidents, applying recognised incident command structures, coordinating multi-agency responses, and ensuring coherent, lawful decision-making under dynamic and often time-critical conditions.
The role also carries significant organisational duties, including leading incident investigations, fulfilling legal reporting obligations under legislation such as RIDDOR, ensuring evidence integrity, and driving corrective and preventive actions.
A further defining responsibility of the VRTM is the oversight of workforce competence. The Manager evaluates operational performance, sets development pathways, conducts formal competence assessments, and ensures that personnel maintain the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for safe and effective rescue operations.
 
They serve as mentors, strategic planners, and organisational decision-makers, ensuring that all rescue and entry activities are delivered with the highest level of competence, resilience, and professional integrity.
 
Entry Requirements for VRTM
 
To undertake the VRTM qualification, candidates must meet one of the following:

An accredited management qualification aligned to National Occupational Standard EUSCS06, and/or
Extensive management or leadership experience in confined space operations, combined with operationally relevant background at VRTO2 and Team Leader levels.
 
These requirements ensure that all VRTM candidates possess the necessary foundation in technical rescue, leadership, and strategic oversight before assuming responsibility for organisational-level operational safety.