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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Consistency in MSAR / horse sense

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: "Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Consistency in MSAR / horse sense
  • Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 03:24:39 -0800


----- Original Message ----- From: "Tm' Fi" <TFinkle@erols.com>
Just to clear up a point of order, the template for Search & Rescue resources HAS already been developed and is NOT in the in the process of producing standards. The NIMS Integration Center developed a National Mutual Aid Glossary of Terms and Definitions as well as Resource Typing Definitions for some of the most commonly used resources during a response. Resource typing is an integral component of the NIMS (FYI:.MSAR is not listed). Anyone can see these typing definitions at :

<http://www.fema.gov/nims/mutual_aid.shtm#glossary>

Yes, the list exists. No, it isn't complete. As you note, there is no Typing for MSAR ... yet. The closest reference to a general SAR category is the Mutual Aid Wilderness SAR Type.

Once you read the "Minimum Capabilities & Types" you will see the standards and how they are explained. The National Response Plan wants resources to MEET the minimum standards and not to endorse that everyone to exceed them,

Dunno about you, but I always recommend exceeding minimum requirements in training. Much safer - and a more effective resource - if you have more than the bare bones training. ;)

and no where in the ESF #9 typing will you see a reference to NASAR (much less anything about being SAR Tech-II).

Keep in perspective that FEMA will be looking for some kind of certification that the requirements identified in Typing have been met. Various resources (Fire, LE, EMS) already have nationally recognized training sources for certification. The closest to nationally recognized as a source for certification in SAR is NASAR and MRA. If you look again at ESF #9 I think you'd find it is pretty much NASAR SARTECH II equivalent, which is why I mentioned NASAR as an example.

As a side note, consider the FEMA Typing documents a living document, subject to change. I hear ODP is already putting together a replacement for HazMat Aware that will be more extensive regarding various hazards one might encounter at a disaster, not limited to HazMat, and it will be a required class for all disaster responders. Since SAR doesn't really have any consistent hazard training, I'd be glad to see all in SAR take that class.

[...]
another example, most of us have received far greater training then personnel from with the ranks of the Citizen Corps, which is a level of training that can be obtained in as a little as one weekend.

If your team has gone beyond CERT, check out the FEMA Typing for Collapse Search and Rescue Teams. If you're not already a Type IV, it wouldn't take much more to get that status.
http://www.fema.gov/preparedness/resources/search_and_rescue/collapse_search_team>
[...] from what we are looking at now, I would consider our team to be aType #1
ESF #9 equivalent MSAR resource.Are you all prepared for 72 hours staying out in
the field? (Not returningto the trailer at night.) Trained and equipped to
search / camp in the fieldin all weather, including waiting out a blizzard?
That's how I read theWilderness SAR Type I. That kind of training and equipment
would not becommon for generic SAR / MSAR - more typically prepared for an
emergencyovernight. Wilderness personnel normally get additional specialized
trainingand equipment better suited for longer periods in the backcountry and
moreextreme weather.~ ~ ~ ~ ~Jorene DownsTulare SAR - Hasty Team ICP
Teamwww.ceoates.com/sarTulare-Kings CERTwww.tk-cert.org




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