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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Generalized Position Descriptions

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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Chronological Thread  
  • From: "IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN" <ilichten1@verizon.net>
  • To: "'Mounted search and rescue'" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Generalized Position Descriptions
  • Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:16:02 -0500

The below is a model for describing positions within a team. It is by no
means complete or fully inclusive and as you can see references other
SOG/SOP documents. By referencing another document the latest version of
that document is always included and you do not have to keep updating the
base document to change dates or editions. In those cases where course
titles change you will have to decide whether you want the new course or to
keep teaching the old. For instance, NASAR replaced MSF with MLPI which
dropped all the statistical behavior models of lost persons. ERI's MSO is
the accepted fire academy text in Pennsylvania. The Red Cross has also
changed courses and recent state law changes have muddied the waters even
further.

ICS and chain of command are defined separately and referenced as ICS
changes every few years. This model references the team Bylaws which define
a level of training or process to define a level of training. If you charge
dues members are not members unless their dues are paid. The definition of
active is for two reasons-- only active members vote for Chief in this
organization and to be covered by comp and have emergency responder
privileges by the state you must be active.

Irv Lichtenstein


SE-15060129 POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

I. Scope and Purpose
This SOP replaces the previous edition (SE15-961030) to clarify and
expand the position descriptions previously published. Persons previously
qualified shall remain provisionally qualified for one (1) year if the
qualifications for their position have changed except for those active
members deemed deficient in training in accordance with Article X.D.3 of the
Bylaws who shall not be considered qualified during the probationary and/or
retraining period.

II. Included and Referenced Documents (latest edition unless stated)
A. Managing Search Operations, ERI, Text and Course Presentation
B. American Red Cross Course materials--CPR, First Aid, etc.
C. Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, Courses of Instruction
D. Montgomery County Fire Academy, Courses of Instruction
E. National Fire Academy, NIMS/ Incident Command System
III. Organization of this SOP
A. This SOP is organized as a series of job descriptions, each lettered job
description includes all previous lettered sections unless specifically
stated otherwise in the section.
B. Referencing any one section by designation or position title includes all
the underlying skills and positions contained in the latest version of this
SOP unless specifically stated otherwise in the reference.

IV. Position Descriptions
A. Active Member
1. Has completed all membership forms
2. paid dues in full for the fiscal year
3. has been enrolled in the insurance program as applicable
4. has attended 3 consecutive drills or special training events
5. continued to attend at least half of all drills, special training
events, and emergency calls during the period from becoming active to next
scheduled election of the Chief officer as defined in the Bylaws.

B. Field Member
1. has demonstrated sufficient skill with map and compass so as to be
able to navigate while on a field task without becoming lost
2. has completed American Red Cross Standard First Aid
3. has sufficient knowledge of SEPASAR Standard Operating Guidelines to
understand orders given by a SEPASAR FTL
4. understands and can function as a member of a hasty team and a grid
team as required in the field
5. possess such personal equipment as may be needed to function in the
field
6. Field members will be issued county alerting pagers as available.

C. Team Leader
1. one year experience as a field member
2. Red Cross Community CPR
3. completed Search First Responder (16-20 hours) portion of MSO
4. demonstrates sufficient leadership skills to safely lead a task
assignment in the field during a search and overseeing the activities of
field team members and preserving their safety.
5. Team Leaders will be issued two way radios as they become available.

D. Search Manager
1. graduated high school or possesses a GED
2. preferably has post high school education in mathematics
3. one year experience as a Team Leader
4. successful completion of Managing Search Operations (ERI) or
Managing the Search Function (NASAR)
5. sufficient command skill to function as a search manager as defined
in the course materials
6. demonstrated such skill by serving as search manager during a live
subject search exercise or special training event while being evaluated by
the Chief officer or his designated evaluator.

E. Staff Officers
1. staff officers are persons selected for specialized skills and
granted titles to describe those skills
2. each position shall be evaluated and the candidate advised of
expectations and requirements to hold the office.
3. The following staff positions do not require the member to field
capable:
. telephone coordinator with duties as defined in SE-2
. finance officer with duties as defined in SE-18
. engineer where those duties are limited to maintenance of vehicles
and trailers
. liaison officer as defined in the NFA ICS manuals
. press officer as defined in the NFA ICS manuals
. base station communicator where the duties are limited to the base
camp area
4. This waiver of field qualifications (3. above) shall only apply to
duties that do not require the staff officer to operate in the field under
conditions more stringent than search base camp.

F. Division Officer
1. division officers shall be field team leaders with special skills in
search techniques, training, or resources
2. the division officer shall oversee the training and advise the
search manager as to the appropriate use of these resources
3. typical resources shall include horses, dogs (airscenting and
tracking/trailing), and specialized ground resources.
4. division officers may be provisionally appointed prior to completing
field team leader requirements so long as the requirements are completed
within one year of appointment

G. Line Officers
1. shall be search managers
2. shall have been elected Chief as per the Bylaws
3. shall have been appointed to a position as a line officer by the
Chief in accordance with the Bylaws
4. no person who is not a search manager shall be eligible to serve as
a Chief officer
5. line officers will serve as OIC on a search or other assignment
until relieved per SE-7

H. Drivers
1. an active member of SEPASAR who has volunteered himself and his
personal vehicle to tow SEPASAR owned trailers
2. the driver's vehicle shall be certified by the manufacturer and a
SEPASAR Engineer as capable of towing the appropriate trailer(s)
3. the driver shall complete a course of instruction to be defined by
the Engineer and approved by the Chief or his designate
4. the driver shall accept the responsibility to respond to the station
, hitch up , and transport the trailer to the scene safely and returning
same to the station on completion of an assignment.





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