Mounted search and rescue

[Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>]

Maybe of some use to someone here?

This appears to be a packaged course with set curriculum, offered all
over NY state.  Has anyone here taken the course?

>Course #50-0501: BASIC WILDLAND SEARCH & RESCUE SKILLS
>DESCRIPTION: The Basic Wildland Search Skills course has been developed
>by the Division of Forest Protection in the Department of Environmental
>Conservation (DEC) and is taught by DEC Forest Rangers to individuals
>interested in becoming wild land search volunteers.
>
>This course has been developed to provide you with the basic knowledge
>and skills necessary to assist in conducting search missions and to
>acquaint you with the New York State Forest Ranger Search and Rescue
>Program.
>
>The primary purpose of the training program is to organize, train, and
>maintain search volunteer resources; provide uniform and standardize
>basic search training; and provide certification for search volunteers.
>
>Upon completion of this course and passing a written examination, search
>volunteers will be issued a search volunteer certification card and patch.
>
>This course will cover the following:
>(1) Search Organization
>(2) Attitude
>(3) Safety
>(4) Communications
>(5) Search Techniques
>(6) Field Exercise
>(7) Conclusion
>(8) Written Exam

Another description (don't be put off by the "Designed for:  Fire service
personnel;  in context, it means "open to all"):
>01-05-0008 Basic Wildland Search Skills
>Developed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
>the Basic Wildland Search Skills course teaches the most basic skills
>needed to conduct search in the wildland environment. Topics covered in
>this course include, basic search organization (Incident Command System),
>communications, search techniques, attitude and safety. This course
>concludes with a field exercise to practice the type 3 search technique
>(grid search) discussed in the classroom. Graduates of this course will
>receive a ?Green Card? which will identify them as having successfully
>completed this course. This course is also a prerequisite to other more
>advanced search courses offered by the New York State Department of
>Environmental Conservation.
>Designed For:  Fire service personnel
>Course Length: 8 hours

Does anyone know what those more advanced search courses consist of?  The 
reference may be to another NY state course, to train search dogs and
handlers in the statewide fire service:
>01-01-0006 Canine Accelerant Detection Certification
>Provides extensive, highly specialized training for the development of a new 
>canine accelerant detection team. A canine partner suitable for accelerant 
>detection work will be screened and selected by OFPC and provided to the 
>student handler. Student canines and their handlers will be trained using 
>the praise and play training methodology. Teams will learn to detect 
>families of ignitable liquids as defined by ASTM standards in addition to 
>learning various search techniques, canine health and behavior, and 
>environmental conditioning. This course is for experienced fire 
>investigators and requires a municipal/government sponsorship.
>Designed For:  New canine accelerant K-9 teams
>Course Length:         300 hours
>Prerequisites:         New York State Fire Investigator Level II 
>certification or equivalent
>Materials Fee:         $750 - includes the canine, initial medical screening 
>of the canine, and some basic equipment
>College Credit:        Yes
>Note:  Special circumstances apply. Call the Academy at (607) 535-7136 for 
>further information.

Cheers,

        Una Smith
        New Mexico