Mounted search and rescue

["T'mi Fi" <tfinkle@erols.com>]

One of our mounted team perquisites requires that prospective applicants 
be at least 21 years year before applying for membership.  Although many 
local fire departments have Jr. fire firefighter programs,  their 
insurance requires that Jr. members under 18 years of age can not leave 
the County they volunteer for.  Our State requires that all SAR 
personnel be a self supporting resource.   It is impossible for those 
under 18 years of age to meet this requirement if they must be 
supervised.    
 The State of Maryland also limits the driving hour (time of day) for 
those under 18.  We also require that prospective members be experienced 
trail riders, have ownership (or usage rights) to a horse, to a 
registered/insured tow vehicle and horse trailer.  From a cost 
prospective, should we lower the age requirements for our team, it will 
increase the team's insurance premium and since youth membership are 
expected to pay less as with other organizations, the additional cost 
would need to be passed on the regular membership.  

There is an Explorer Post SAR team within the State, Maryland Search and 
Rescue (MSAR), that does teach youth SAR techniques and their adult 
leaders do great job at teaching SAR skills.  The group attends the 
State SAREX and many local mock exercises, but primarily are tasked with 
logistic related duties.  This is a great program that teaches youth 
about ground SAR and exposes them to other SAR teams and specialty 
resources.  

Mounted Search and Rescue is a dangerous activity.  Although I realize 
there are exceptions, most youth do not have the experience or knowledge 
to work within their safety limits or parameters.   Driving to a search 
during rainy conditions (with a heavy tow vehicle and a 1000 pound plus 
live load), deploying on a mounted task that pushes your comfort level 
or knowing that you are too tired to drive home are examples of when NOT 
to push you limits.

Tomi`
TROTSAR Mounted Team
State of Maryland




 

IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN wrote:

> A recent court decision by the Federal Court of Claims in Philadelphia has
> defined persons between 14 and 18 enrolled in PA's apprentice or junior
> (16-18) firefighter programs to be public safety officers for purposes of
> the PSODB laws. Our liability insurance covers juniors and we are working on
> a SOG to further define their role in the organization. 
>
>
>
> Has this decision affected any other organization? Do you include minors or
> exclude minors from membership? We don't have any yet but have received
> several inquiries that we put off until the insurance company responded. 
>
>
>
> Irv Lichtenstein 
>
> SE PA SAR
>
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