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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Conference planning

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: T'mi Fi <tfinkle@erols.com>
  • To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Conference planning
  • Date: Thu, 02 Mar 2006 22:43:44 -0500

I will agree that NASAR type conferences are more costly and much different than local SAR events, but then again so are most other conferences that are designed to draw from a national audience. National organizational events draw from and support "paid or full time" attendees, who more often than not have Monday through Friday type jobs. Sadly many government organizations believe that the best training needs can only be provided at higher price seminars that provide nationally or regionally known facilitators. This also creates a lack of respect and/or attendance during low or no cost weekend hosted events. Another factor to consider is the vendor presence, which alone is a big draw card for the the attendees and other suppliers.
Regarding the second group that was identified below, search managers do not need to have SAR field skills in order to manage a search incident. Most paid professionals that I've met at similar type conferences generally come away with learning something. Some of the best search managers that I've seen could not follow a compass bearing unless the line was drawn on the ground. On the other side of the coin, some of the best field resource personnel that I've ever met, can't master the skills needed to manage a search.
I have found that many during the week SAR Conferences have a greater focus on administrative and specialized subject matters. Where as SAREX or weekend type events offer basic and some advanced training, that include more hands-on skills for SAR field team members, which is often times is incorporated with a multi-agency mock search. Unfortunately weekend events seem to draw fewer vendors and suppliers, thus preventing a chance to purchase special sale items. It is sad that SAR volunteers have such a big out-of-pocket expense. What's even worse is that fact that MSAR volunteers seem to have the smallest voice at any level SAR gathering, unless it is specifically MSAR related event. Maybe the answer is to look at how such conferences and events are hosted and conducted.

Tomi` TROTSAR

Una Smith wrote:

NASAR is a special case, as far as SAR conferences go. It is very
expensive, and held mostly during the week, not over a long weekend.
Apart from the instructors, it draw two main groups of participants:
high-level SAR managers, and deputy sheriffs who have been assigned
the task of managing county SAR resources. This second group often
has no SAR field experience and little idea how to manage missions,
but attends NASAR conferences on salary and with all expenses paid.

NASAR offers many classes to give this second group an introduction
to SAR and fast-track them into SAR management. These classes would
be appropriate for less experienced members of any SAR team, except
most SAR responders are volunteers and simply cannot afford NASAR's
conference. At the NASAR conference there is also a second parallel
conference conducted informally among NASAR conference regulars:
instructors and officers of NASAR and similar associations, and some
state SAR coordinators.


Una Smith
New Mexico
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