Mounted search and rescue

[<Jorene@CEOates.com>]

From: "Una Smith" <una@lanl.gov>
> Jorene wrote:
> >Una, I have expressed opinions, just as you and others have expressed
> >opinions.

> Just your personal opinion, hm?  Yet according to your sig,
> you are representing NASAR.

According to my sig, I'm the Chair of the committee writing MSAR standards
for NASAR. (For some reason you continue to confuse this with representing
NASAR. I am not an elected member of the NASAR Board of Directors - I do not
represent NASAR.) The MSAR standards are in the early stages of development,
still very subject to change. Ultimately it will be up to the NASAR BoD to
accept the proposed MSAR standards, and they may want to modify something.
We won't know until we get there. ;)

Our committee goal is to produce good MSAR standards that are designed
appropriately to allow for nationwide application. These would be considered
minimum standards, to create a consistent foundation for people to build on.
In our research we discovered a lot of common elements nationwide in MSAR
standards. That provided us with information regarding current accepted MSAR
standards - essentially early input from the MSAR world, expressing opinions
nationwide. And we need to listen to those opinions to create good standards
so people will see value in using them in their own areas.

However, our research also revealed that current written standards - even
the ones that appear to be more thorough - only address MSAR needs for that
operational area. (For example, the Wilderness MSAR standards needed locally
would be overkill for non-Wilderness MSAR use, and generic MSAR standards
would be inadequate for Wilderness MSAR.) So even if we were tempted to ask
permission and somehow use a good existing MSAR standard as our foundation,
there would still be major revisions needed. So we started from scratch,
building off elements common to MSAR standards nationwide.

Our challenge is to create core MSAR standards that will be applicable
nationwide, and also address needs that aren't common nationwide. Hopefully
we'll accomplish this with the current approach of a core of standards
appropriate for all, plus additional "specialties" that address other
MSAR-related needs.

A personal objective is to also identify a method that will make it easier
for teams to apply the NASAR MSAR standards locally. We're a long way from
addressing this part of the standards, but I'd like to come up with an
authorized alternative to having to wait perhaps years for "NASAR certified"
NASAR MSAR testing to be available nationwide. Since the NASAR Board is
already in the mind set to look favorably on methods to reach more people, I
believe this will be feasible. We'll see what evolves. ;)

But with the extensive recent discussion here on a variety of
standards-related subjects, there hasn't been much progress lately in
developing the new MSAR standards for NASAR. I had several people previously
tell me that including discussion with the public while working on the
standards would be impossible. I'd like to prove them wrong. But this last
several days has made it clear that without better parameters, seeking input
from MSAR-Riders will create a problem (time constraints for committee
members) instead of providing the desirable and valued connection it should
be.

May I suggest we take any discussion here related to NASAR MSAR standards
one step at a time, just as we do in the committee? Otherwise any discussion
here related to standards will be wandering all over the place instead of
staying focused and productive, and the value of that discussion will be
greatly reduced from the committee perspective because it isn't "on topic"
for the committee at that time.

As mentioned previously, there will be opportunity for public opinion on
specific subjects as we address them, or prepare to address them, in the
committee. When that occurs, we'd appreciate focused input of personal
opinions with limited subsequent discussion. (Limited subsequent discussion
can be important for clarification, when necessary, but arguing about
opposing personal opinions is non-productive.) Using this method, the
committee can quickly reach decisions guided by the majority of personal
opinion coming from various online resources, and move on to the next step.

It will be impossible to please everybody, but we hope to provide MSAR
standards that the vast majority will consider worthy. With your assistance,
we can accomplish this.

Meanwhile, I hope MSAR-Riders will return to providing valuable discussion
on general MSAR issues.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs, Committee Chair
NASAR MSAR Standards Committee
visit NASAR on www.nasar.org