Mounted search and rescue

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

 

 

As of December 20 our member rolls include 14 responders, 9 support personnel trained to response level for base support functions but not always available on an emergency basis, and 4 trainees.  This is a similar number of responders and more support when compared to the end of last year. We continue to operate 10 VHF portables and 2 800 MHZ portables for tactical communications and have on hand sufficient equipment to assemble a VHF field base once antennas are acquired during 2008.  Members again attended the Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Class at New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania. This was the second annual session at New Bolton and appears to be becoming a tradition with another session planned for 2008.  Over 4 CD’s of pictures taken during the course were forwarded to the Montgomery County Fire Academy for use in formulating offerings. Members have also attended the VFIS courses on highway scene safety so that they are aware of what has to be done to safely control a scene involving transport on the highway.

 

During the year Southeast Pennsylvania Search and Rescue conducted 2 fund raisers. In the Spring of 2007 we had a safety themed ride and seek in Green Lane County Park.  This was attended by over 48 riders. Thanksgiving Weekend we had a fun horse show at Worcester Stables, Inc. using facilities donated by the Gambone family.  Despite the weather and limited resources sufficient funds were raised to make the 2007 budget. SEPASAR members also coordinated safety for events sponsored by the Montgomery County Equine Council in both Valley Forge National Historical Park and Green Lane County Park.  Members attended seminars in trail building and maintenance, public hearings on new county trail plans, and various other equine related events and community days. Members also helped organize Neighborhood Watches and other community services during the year.  Notably, SEPASAR has been contacted by organizations such as the Friends of the Wissahickon for input into planning for future public facilities.  We were asked to observe and comment on the first CART/LAR exercise in York County, PA. 

 

Chief Lichtenstein presented a paper on organization at the National Association for Search and Rescue Annual Meeting in June. Our members continue to participate in ASTM search and rescue standards formulation.  A comprehensive article on SEPASAR was published in Perfect Horse Magazine and resulted in numerous requests for copies of our training materials on CD.  We are  preparing a presentation describing our emergency response mission and how it can be applied to preventive activities and at public events. Also being revised is an awareness program for search incidents, including new ASTM standards for call-takers, and expected capabilities of first responders, search personnel, and specialized resources such as dog handlers and mounted (horses). This presentation is designed for fire-rescue, police and EMA personnel.  It will include sections on community risk analysis, first actions, scene preservation, and when to call in specialized resources.  This overview can be fitted into any training session from an hour or so to 4 hours.  

 

SEPASAR’s planned public activities for 2008 include the Lincoln Day Parade of the Philadelphia Union League which will expose our mounts and personnel to a downtown urban environment on February 12 and a second event in the October timeframe.  It is also anticipated that SEPASAR personnel will continue to support other public events in the region where communications, safety, and off road response are important factors.   An attempt to revive the Wissahickon Day Parade in Fairmount Park is being discussed.  Once our fixed expenses are met we hope to acquire a laptop computer with printer and mapping software, additional radio batteries, and more speaker microphones for the VHF units.  

 

In addition to training days and some nights SEPASAR is hoping to offer the approximately 40 hour Search Management classroom course during 2008.  This will require approximately 35 students to be economically feasible due to the cost of class materials.  A site with computer projection technology for 4-5 weekend days or equivalent nights would be required and the cost of individual texts will be in the vicinity of $50 each student.

 

 

Irv Lichtenstein

Chief of Operations

SEPASAR

 

Attachment: PH0907SearchAndRescue.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document