Mounted search and rescue

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

 

----- Original Message -----

From: "David C. Kovar" <kovar@1srg.org>

Jorene,

You've raised a number of interesting points. Hopefully I'll cover them,
from my perspective, completely. Bear in mind that I wasn't necessarily
suggesting that someone start a new MSAR organization. I was simply
responding to your statement that a new MSAR organization would need to
depend on an existing "national" organization.

I reckon going through an existing large SAR organization would get MSAR standards out and recognized by the SAR world faster than a couple of people forming a new MSAR organization. I'm betting if 1 MSAR organization gets formed, another will start up claiming a "better way." That's the kind of thinking that occurred in SAR Dogs standards, creating conflict, and I'm seeing potential for it happening here. IMO, regardless of the source, if the minimum standards are reasonable for MSAR I see no need to reinvent the wheel again and again in the name of healthy competition. I don't see advantages for having multiple versions of MSAR standards claiming they represent the "national standard" when the entire focus of emergency / disaster response at the federal level is trying to narrow things down to common ground.

 

With that "common ground" perspective, the committee developing NASAR MSAR standards is making a point of reaching out to as many MSAR riders as possible, acquiring input, so the resulting minimum standards really will be applicable to all MSAR.

3) MSAR organization

Yes, there would be a lot of work involved in setting up an MSAR
organization.

Think financing, staffing, documentation, equipment, labor, publicity, etc. Overhead.

4) Fundraising.

It isn't clear to me a) how much funding is required to accomplish this and
b) how much NASAR is really contributing to it.

Work in progress (volunteer) is being supported by NASAR with them offering to provide communications for the committee through conference calls, etc. NASAR also provides the conduit to the public with their web presence, posting updates ... and in the next rendition of their web site (in progress) will include a link to MSAR issues and standards. NASAR is also providing article publication in SAR-related journals regarding MSAR. Later NASAR will publish the final draft of the standards, publicize, etc. As people become certified NASAR will issue that certificate and maintain records.

2) "already has the ear of the feds regarding SAR standards". They do, along
with a lot of other organizations. Do they have more of an ear than the MRA?
NFTA? ATSM? National SAR typing was done by Titan, a defense department
contractor, not by the "national" association of search and rescue. (NASAR,
the MRA, and others got a word in eventually.) FEMA/DHS has much more say in
SAR standards.

Trained Volunteer resources to support First Responders is a huge issue at the federal level - you find them mentioned in every FEMA/DHL "How To" document being released at the national level for local application - and for basic SAR I'd say NASAR has a big edge. Why? (I mentioned this to you a few weks ago, so some of this is a re-run, David. <g> ) NASAR is about to officially sign an agreement (at the conference this week) with the national CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program under Homeland Security. CERT is a nationwide disaster-related training program for volunteers. NASAR will be rolling out a nationwide program to CERT graduates, providing basic SAR training.

Previously the only recognized partner for the CERT program was Red Cross. NASAR is making a giant stride into natiowide outreach and high visibility in SAR training, particularly in the integration of SAR and disaster ... which is the direction of the SAR industry, encouraged at the federal level. The CERT+NASAR partnering I predict will have a big impact on SAR resources. (L.A. CERT has over 44,000 graduates. Imagine if only 1% of them wanted the SAR training and how that changes the available resources for SAR in that region!)  Going forward I wouldn't be surprised to see local SAR/MSAR teams recruiting from the CERT+NASAR trained graduates, or even requiring that training prior to joining the SAR/MSAR team.

 

MSAR is perfectly capable of being an effective resource during most kinds of disasters, even without disaster-related training. Since most of the CERT training is a good cross-over into SAR application, this just makes MSAR more versatile and valuable in either environment. With the CERT+NASAR partnering, I see NASAR as becoming the "leading by several lengths" front runner in the SAR industry for basic training.

 

I suggested this CERT+NASAR partnering over a year ago, and have been watching the progress. Yes, that knowledge influenced my decision to work with NASAR for MSAR standards. My perception is NASAR will have the "muscle" to build a nationwide network of SAR/MSAR certified personnel ... and do it substantially faster than a new / emerging MSAR organization. And those who object to NASAR being described as "nationwide" may find that status will be changing through partnering with the CERT program.

 

YMMV  ;)

 

Great discussion!!!

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
Tulare Co, CA
SAR, MSAR, Swiftwater Rescue, US&R,
Technical Rescue, Cave Rescue,
Hasty Team, ICP
www.CEOates.com/sar
Tulare-Kings CERT Program Coordinator
www.tk-cert.org