Mounted search and rescue

["irvin lichtenstein" <ilichten1@verizon.net>]

There have been discussion on and off list about corporations, 501(c)(3) and
taxes.  The real question is: Is your SAR organization recognized as an
emergency response organization, similar to a volunteer fire company or EMS
provider?

This would mean you are requested by an authority having jurisdiction
(sheriff, police, fire/rescue, emergency management) but do not respond to
family or friends of the subject requests without AHJ approval.  You have
workman's comp, liability insurance, use of public safety radios, and
whatever privileges volunteer responders get in your state, including public
safety officer death benefits.

I have discovered that there are significant differences between MSAR groups
in how they see themselves and how they are seen by the AHJ.  And, it
appears that insurance for emergency response is actually cheaper and
broader than for groups that masquerade as horse clubs.

Your group can be an auxiliary service, such as a reserve sheriff's posse;
an independent rescue squad; a licensed EMS provider; or a fire company; or
something else depending on your AHJ and local and state laws. What are you,
and what is your relationship to the organization?

Irv Lichtenstein
ilichten1@verizon.net