Mounted search and rescue

["Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>]

Sorry, for some reason the temporary identity didn't go away when I changed
it back. This really is from me, not Chris!

Jorene

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Pennington-Boggio c/o Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>
To: <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2003 10:52 PM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] shuttle


> From: SARCRNA@aol.com
> > Many of you need to understand there are many agencies involved in this
> search.  Nasa, FEMA, FBI, EPA, Forestry Service, National Guard...due to
the
> nature of this search those in charge are calling in services they feel
> comfortable with.  Yes volunteers were utilized, however many were
> unprepared for the terrain.  Many got lost.  I know many of you are horse
> teams--believe me the terrain is so thick at times that not even man can
> penetrate.  I know--I was there with my search dog--called in by federal
> authorities.  Don't feel left out or feel that Texas will not use outside
> resources--there were many other dog teams brought in from outside
> resources.  They are calling in what they need--the searches are primarily
> line searches and close grid searches to cover the area--this isn't
> something appropriate for a horse.
> Susan Martinez    <
>
> I appreciate this input, and particularly appreciate the management
> perspective for use of resources. I've heard volunteers say "Why didn't
they
> call us?" many times, and the answer isn't always understood. The request
> for assistance is based on the needs of the incident. There are times
> mounted response is not appropriate. (For example, we had a SAR for a
> missing plane in terrain so steep and rough the few groundpounders dropped
> in by chopper could barely move.) There are other times when MSAR is a
> distinct advantage. Good management of resources will identify, call out
and
> deploy specific resources to the best advantage.
>
> On the flip side, there are plenty of SAR Management types who aren't
really
> tuned up on what you can really accomplish with a horse. Sometimes in
thick
> terrain if a horse can get down the animal trail there is a big advantage
> because the rider has elevation and a very different visual perspective
than
> what can be seen by a groundpounder.
>
> Then again, I suspect many MSAR units believe they have tracking /
evidence
> search training because they search for something like playing cards
during
> training, and aren't aware that MSAR units can be far more specifically
> trained for mounted tracking and evidence search. And once again,
sometimes
> that elevation is an advantage ... but only if those riders have
appropriate
> training to work effectively from that height.
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> Jorene Downs
> Tulare Co, CA
> SAR, MSAR, Swiftwater Rescue, US&R
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> MSAR-riders mailing list
> MSAR-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/msar-riders
>