Mounted search and rescue

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

Doug, ASTM international standards are under development for MSAR. (Taking 
longer than expected, but now moving forward again.) Going forward, expect 
there will be Typing at the national level. Meanwhile there are a few states 
with MSAR standards. In general, what to expect is to train to be SAR (ASTM 
F2209 - essentially NASAR SARtech II or equivelant) ... then add knowledge, 
skills and abilities needed for MSAR.

VA recently did a review and rewrite of their state MSAR standards. I don't 
know if they are online. CA has statewide mutual aid guidelines - do what 
you want in your own county, but for mutual aid meet X expectations - for 
most SAR resources. Copies of CA Mutual Aid Guidelines are on:
http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/Content/A3F586FD13D795C788256B7B0029BBFF?OpenDocument 
There may be other states with MSAR standards, Typing, etc., at the state 
level.

State level is the best overview for MSAR minimum standards expected for 
normal area of operations that include mutual aid. Use that minimum as a 
foundation to build on, then add what else may be needed as a local 
requirement. (For example, my county's requirements exceed state level 
because we have a primary response area that includes SAR in steep, remote 
mountain terrain at high elevation.)

If you need some ammunition to take to your superiors regarding the 
potential effectiveness of MSAR, feel free to hand them a copy (or email a 
link) of any of my published articles found on www.ceoates.com/msar

~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
SAR & CERT
Mounted SAR
www.ceoates.com/msar


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Doug Reynaud
[...] i 'm an empolyee of Santa Clara County Open Space Authority and have 
been assigned to compile information in order to formulate accepted mounted 
patrol criteria . I have in the past been involved in formulating volunteer 
patrol guide lines for State and County Parks, but this project is to 
develope a with agency program . My superiors are not horse people they do 
not speak the language and see the need to become aquainted with (In their 
words Federal Standards) I believe that formal Fed Standards went by the 
wayside with the Cavlrey. The msar project seems like a good forum to to 
obtain info. I would appreciate any leads on obtaining criterias developed 
by any organized mounted units.  Thank You Doug