Mounted search and rescue

[Una Smith <una@lanl.gov>]

Jorene wrote:
>What kind of additional training is added (in your state
>standards) for Field Coordinator status?

I don't know that there are any formal (written) standards;
certainly there are very detailed informal standards in use
here.  This is thanks to New Mexico having a single person
in charge of all SAR activities and volunteers, statewide.

Since I haven't even started the formal process of training
for the job of FC, I don't know all the details.  I do know
it involves a lot of on-the-job apprenticing in IC on actual
SAR missions, also Section Chief School (2 days intensive
group work and homework beforehand), and FC School (I don't
know what this involves).  Despite its small population and
general poverty and low level of education, New Mexico has
a relatively large base of highly skilled people for SAR,
thanks to the presence of two national laboratories, several
techie universities, more than its share of military bases,
and some high-tech light industry.  But in District 1, where
I am, there is a current shortage of FCs, and several people
have been working on me for over a year now to train for the
job.

I certainly have not been looking for promotion to FC, and
I have not committed to going there.  I am already heavily
committed to other endeavors.  But I have agreed to train as
a Section Chief;  I guess the training started on this past
weekend.  And I am working on getting my ham radio license
(I can pass the no-code Technician practice exams online, no
problem;  I just need make it to a real exam) and taking a
Wilderness First Responder course.  That is hard, because
first I have to organize the WFR course!  New Mexico does
not recognize all WFR courses;  to qualify, the course must
be an 80-hour version, etc...  A full WFR runs $500 plus
expenses (housing, meals on site) per person.  We are lucky
to have an excellent instructor locally, but he has a tight
schedule (he teaches WFR across the US) and for him to break
even there must be at least 8 students.  (Trying to get this
WFR course together gives me an idea how complex it would be
to organize a NASAR course;  it is not easy.)  Also, I need
a hunter education course;  guns and all aspects of hunting
are common elements in SAR missions here and I need to know
more about weapons and those who carry them.

One thing is for sure:  if I do become an FC, then I intend
to become an outstanding one.

Is anyone here a Field Coordinator?  Care to share your take
on this job?

        Una Smith
        Santa Fe County Sheriff's Posse, in New Mexico