Mounted search and rescue

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

People need to realize that National Standards can not exceed those of 
State established requirements and ASTM is not a national standard to 
anyone but themselves.  Regardless how much someone wants the create and 
implement the highest standards possible for everyone, it will not 
happen due to States Right's.  Just because someone in State X wants 
everyone to perform task 2, someone in State Y does not have to even 
address task 2 if it does not apply to them in their State.  With 49 
States now being a partner of EMAC, what one State recognizes/accepts as 
a SAR resource will be offered as a registered resource to any State 
requesting such a resource.   Mutual aid agreements are generally 
between local or regional governments and such agreements are in no way 
controlled by NIMS requirements.  Items like credentialing and 
coordination are the foundations of NIMS.  Forcing a State to obtain 
certifications that are not applicable to them will simply never happen. 
Response to an emergency begins at a local level and there at that 
level is where you will find the highest set of standards.  Standards 
become more and more generic/basic as you move towards a national level. 
     

Since the updated version National Response Plan (NRP), including 
resource typing,  is expected to be released in November of this year (a 
small current list of changes is also available).  Within the NRP, MSAR 
is not listed as a typing resource and seeing national MSAR standards 
within the NRP will not come to pass for several years, if ever.  Keep 
in mind that ASTM has no more right than NASAR of any other SAR 
organization to set such requirements except to the rank and file within 
such an organization.  I suggest that anyone wishing to know the truth 
about NIMS  requirements go to the NIMS resource Center and view what is 
there for themselves.

<http://www.nimsonline.com>

Folks may want to also see just how weak minimum standards really are 
can take a look at NRP SAR typing resources:

<http://www.nimsonline.com/resource_typing/US&R%20Task%20Forces.htm>
<http://www.nimsonline.com/resource_typing/Wilderness%20Search%20and%20Rescue%20Team.htm>

If we as a MSAR community can ever agree on what minimum standards are 
really about, then and only then will we ever have a chance at 
establishing a nationally recognized MSAR resource.  I am sure some 
folks will disagree, but personally I believe that with EMAC now one of 
the few National standards in the United States ( Hawaii excluded), any 
State with established MSAR standards and who has MSAR resources, those 
(State recognized) resource meet equivalent of national standards.

I would be happy to chat with anyone off list regarding this topic.

Tomi`
TROTSAR Mounted Team
Maryland


Jorene Downs wrote:

> Regardless, ASTM F2209 has already been identified a part of the 
> requirements for meeting the pending ASTM standards for the mounted 
> searcher. So folks who want to meet ASTM national standards for MSAR will 
> also need to meet ASTM F2209. Also, to meet federal NIMS requirements, folks 
> who want to respond mutual aid are expected to meet national standards for 
> that resource type ... and ASTM is recognized de facto as the source for 
> national SAR standards.
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> Jorene Downs
> www.ceoates.com/msar
>
>