Mounted search and rescue

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

----- 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