Mounted search and rescue

["Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>]

In many jurisdictions SAR / MSAR is directly affiliated with the local 
Sheriff's office, who has legal responsibility for SAR in that jurisdiction. 
The authority having jurisdiction may have - and choose to provide - 
insurance related to training and response. (In my county in CA when we have 
authorized SAR training or response, state Disaster Service Worker coverage 
is automatically activated.)

But the first step is to do your homework and determine if SAR response 
common to the area (this includes mutual aid response) is in an environment 
where mounted responders can function effectively, and if there are a 
significant number of SAR call-outs where having additional trained 
resources available would be advantageous.

Assuming yes, approach the local authority having jurisdiction with a 
proposal to develop trained MSAR as a local resource. I'd start with the 
Sheriff's office - they'll point you to someone else if necessary. To gain 
support, you need to be percieved up front as intending to become SAR 
professionals with a specialty in MSAR, not just a bunch of local riders who 
want to show up with your horses to help. ;)

In your proposal, emphasize the intent for MSAR to meet national standards, 
which will reduce liability. (Liability is a big issue from the management 
perspective.) This means meeting de facto national standards for SAR, then 
adding MSAR as a specialty, plus meeting NIMS requirements. The sales pitch 
might go over even better if the MSAR riders also intend to cross-train in 
CERT, creating additional local disaster resources with very useful 
cross-training and capabilities. (CERT training is also very useful in SAR.)

Also inquire if there is an *existing* nearby SAR team where you can attach 
mounted personnel. Many successful SAR organizations have multiple 
specialties within that organization, including MSAR riders. (There are MSAR 
riders who routinely cross-train with others, which is highly advantageous.) 
Then you don't have all the "form a new organization" paperwork, etc. Going 
forward those interested in MSAR as a new specialty for that organization 
would need to develop written minimum expectations for that resource type 
that meet national standards and are appropriate for your response area. You 
might also want a defined riding evaluation for applicants to ensure solid 
fundamental riding skill to start, etc.

To find out what you're getting into starting out in SAR,  I suggest 
investing in the Fundamental SAR manual edited by Don Cooper. It is 
available on the NASAR web site www.nasar.org and elsewhere on the internet. 
That kind of foundation in training, will be necessary to meet de facto 
national SAR standards. Later meet the emerging national standards for MSAR, 
which are still under development through ASTM. www.astm.org

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
www.ceoates.com/msar