Mounted search and rescue

["IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN" <ilichten1@verizon.net>]

You should start with the sponsoring organization-- in CA many of these
events or sessions should be sponsored by a Sheriff's Posse or a county
affiliated SAR group. In Colorado it is the Search and Rescue Board and in
other areas it may be a voluntary state SAR organization or council. 

You can also check with the credentialing authority in your state if there
is one. In PA fires service courses are taught by instructors accredited by
the state or regional fire academies, the DCNR has personnel to teach basic
grid and the in house SAR Management course and there are accredited
instructors for the regional police academies. The sponsor should be able to
furnish a bio and credentials for even a one time "visiting lecturer". 

While this may not seem like a big deal, for fire, EMS and police who need
continuing ed credits and to get reimbursed the accreditation of the class
is very important. As a state certified fire service instructor I register
all classes I am asked to teach with the local fire training site and the
state fire academy to insure proper credit is given to students. And then
these courses are subsidized by the training establishment.

There are also reputable private companies out there trying to make a buck
honestly by offering training in rope rescue, water rescue, LART, and other
topics.  Again, check the bios of the instructors, the cost versus the
benefit (value received), and who signs the certificate-- some company or
the credentialing authority.     

As an example one of the "bombproofing" experts, who is a cop, gets
$2500/day plus travel and other unspecified expenses to do 2 sessions of
around 30 horses each. The sponsor must provide the facility.  The fee is
not reimbursable and since he is a cop he is subject to no notice recall to
duty and will cancel the sessions. Is this a good investment of a MSAR
organization's training budget?  Probably not. 

Irv Lichtenstein