Mounted search and rescue

["Raskin, Larry" <Lawrence.Raskin@jhuapl.edu>]

Una,

For my records,

What's your amateur call sign, what bands do you operate?  Which SAR
group are you with (yes I should already know this)?  Are you on the NM
RACES group (NMSectionARESandRACES@yahoogroups.com)?  From the posts I
read, great group with information you would find useful. 

Larry WB3DAJ

P.S. - It is the FCC not the ARRL that creates the test.  The ARRL
provides the VE's to administer the test.

-----Original Message-----
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Una Smith
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2006 2:50 PM
To: Mounted search and rescue
Subject: Re: [MSAR] SAR Tech testing


Tm' Fi wrote:
>Personally I believe the national standard "minimum" ground SAR
>requirements for MSAR personnel should include the successful
completion 
>of a recognized 40 hour fundamentals of SAR course (such as the NASAR
or 
>PACE FUNSAR, and the successful completion of a recognized written 
>examination (such as the NASAR online SAR Tech III test).

Some FWIW's...

There is no formal course associated with PACE (the New Mexico
certification program).  PACE certification is awarded strictly on
passing the set of tests I mentioned.  Courses are offered on a more or
less formal basis;  some run just a few hours and a few may exceed 40
hours.  New SAR units generally want long courses;  established SAR
units may prepare their new recruits in service.

NASAR SAR TECH III and II (also SAR TECH I?) certifications are granted
on passing the relevant tests, regardless of attendance or performance
in a preparatory course.  This is often termed "challenging the test" or
being a walk-in or self-study testee.
 
ARRL operates this way too, re Amateur Radio licenses:  usually a long
course is offered, but it is not necessary.  I obtained my Technician
Class license by reading a book, then challenging the test at the
earliest testing session that was convenient.

I would not require all SAR responders to take a 40 hour course in
addition to challenging a test.  I think responders who don't need 40
hours in class to learn the material should be spending that time
learning something else.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico
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