Mounted search and rescue

["David C. Kovar" <kovar@1srg.org>]

Ian,

My comments were based on the information available from NASAR's web site at
the time I wrote the message. If there is something new coming out, superb!
NASAR really does seem to be listening more these days. 

I was at the MRA conference last year when they announced the new licensing
program and, after some initial skepticism, realized it had a lot of
potential. Based on your experience with it, it sounds like they hit the
mark.

Everyone involved in this discussion might want to look at the following
document:

http://www.nasar.org/images/2004BoardObjectivesWebsiteVersion.pdf

It is the President's Objectives for 2004, posted on the NASAR web site on
March 31st, 2004. At the very top it reads:

"  Determine the type of Educational Business Model that NASAR will follow
by
March 17, 2004.
-       Will NASAR continue with the current educational business model of
Standard development and maintenance, curriculum development and
maintenance, text development and maintenance, instructor development and
maintenance, and testing and/or certifying?
-       Will NASAR assume the business model of ASTM or NFPA - one of peer
reviewed conscious standards for sell?  
-       Will NASAR assume the business model of National Registry of EMT -
one of standard development, testing and/or certifying?
-       Will NASAR outsource standards to ASTM or NFPA or become ANSI
accredited?
-       Does NASAR get out of the standards business all together, but
develop curricula, testing, and texts that meet others standards like ASTM
or NFPA?
-       Does NASAR want to produce educational materials or provide
(instruct) educational materials or both?
-       Or numerous other variations?"

It will be very, very interesting to see the answers to those questions.
Perhaps they'll be announced at the conference next week.

It goes on to say:

"The board needs to come to this fundamental decision very quickly. Right
now we are flying in all different directions. The board, staff,
contractors, members and public are having a very hard time seeing which way
we are going or what we are doing. Let's not fall into the category of
"master of none"."

Again, it sounds like they're listening, and are aware.

The entire document is worth reading.

-David

 



-----Original Message-----
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Ian Vowles
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2004 3:25 PM
To: 'Mounted search and rescue'
Subject: RE: [MSAR] MSAR standards / NASAR MSAR Practical standards



David,

By way of update and comment on yours regarding costs - 

The NEW NASAR licensing program obviates this issue and SHOULD solve
some of the issues with the expense of NASAR.

Specifically the actual cost of say SARTECH II exam and certificate
patch and rocker is $38 per head with a 25% discount for the
organization that is "licensed"  i.e. a per member cost of $28.50 . The
licensed organization does have to be an "organizational member" which
is approx $185 a year up to 30 members.

We became one of the first if not the first non profit to adopt the
program - from my perspective it has worked well - there was an initial
cost of about $500 to get going ( instructor workshops etc ) , we are
now able to teach at our pace and schedule plus schedule exams at our
convenience - no minimum numbers etc !!.

As we teach our own course ( basically taken from 3-4 national resources
and gathered experience ) - but of course cover the NASAR syllabus we
avoid costly text books or in the case of the old FUNSAR costly and
Boring !! 

For a small group as ours out in the boonies as regards NASAR teachers /
examiners we have been able to bring a National Certificate Exam to our
area - we were teaching long before and had our own form of test BUT
that was of zero value outside of our small group / area.

As a practical example of value - NASAR SARTECH II is recognized in many
areas - locally we are 20 miles off the northern New Mexico state line -
New Mexico has its own standards and exams ( Pace ) but talking with
many of their folks they immediately recognized SARTECH II and accord it
the appropriate credence when considering resources.

I would recommend you look into the license program - I know all your
folks qualified well above - but it may be useful for helping other
groups who may seek your advice.

Ian Vowles
President

Mounted Rescue
400 Ranch Place
Pagosa Springs
Colorado 81147

Tel : 970-731-4062

http://www.mountedrescue.com



<<1) Membership.

I have certifications from Rescue 3, the FAA, the FCC, Dallas Fire
Department, ARC, WMA, SOLO/NOLS, AFRCC and a couple of other
organizations. None of those mentioned required me to join the
organization to receive the nationally recognized certification.

NASAR specifically includes the cost of a one year membership in their
training cost. The other organizations do not. Based on just this point,
which organization would I prefer to get my certification from? >>



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