Mounted search and rescue

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

Hi Lisa,

Our MSAR team has found that being able to identify an applicant's level 
of commitment as a public safety volunteer helps us to recruit and 
retain new members .  Like many MSAR teams, in years past our team has 
lost over 75% of  applicants.  A couple of years ago we modified our 
application process that includes; perquisites, training milestones, 
operational requirements, retention protocols and yearly standards. Most 
of new applicants are those we speak to at County an Town level 
Emergency Preparedness or Public Safety Fairs.  If the perquisites 
outlined within our welcome letter does not scare new folks away, then 
we will generally receive an application packet from a person that 
fulfills a commitment. Contact me off-line for more information (below 
is the standard welcome letter we use).
-------------
Hello Lisa,

Thank you for expressing an interest with the TROTSAR Mounted Team Inc. 
Our search & rescue mounted team has approximately 20 members and 
currently conduct training exercises on a rotating basis within Northern 
Virginia (near Warren County), Central Maryland (near Carroll County) 
and Southern Maryland (near Charles County).  We generally conduct 
training on the second weekend of the month, alternating between 
Saturday or Sunday, and on some occasions both days.  We have two 
general membership meetings per year in the summer and winter.  Weather 
permitting, we will have our next entry level horse and rider evaluation 
(HRE testing) on March 7, 2009 at 10:00am (rain/snow date is March 
14th).  We only evaluate equines during our scheduled HRE and only with 
those persons who have formally applied for the team in advance of 
testing day.   Because this is such a demanding commitment, please know 
that approximately 25% of all applicants successfully become operational 
members of our team.  Below is some information that may help you to 
decide if this is a time demanding volunteer public service commitment 
that you would like to pursue:

PREREQUISITES: To be accepted into the training program, you must meet 
the following requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old and have ownership privileges to a suitable 
mount.
- Hold a valid State issued driver's license and submit to a criminal 
background check.
- Have ready and easy 24/7 access to a registered tow vehicle and horse 
trailer at all times.
- Commit to a minimum of 40 hours of in-service training per year and 
meet yearly training standards.
- Must have regular access to email, text messaging and a cell phone.
- Must complete four online FEMA courses and hold current First Aid and 
CPR cards.
- Horse and rider must have the physical ability to work under saddle 
for a minimum of 6 continuous hours and without assistance tack, mount 
and dismount your own horse.
- Submit a completed team application and liability waivers.

To explain these perquisites in more detail:  Within the first 6 months 
from submitting application forms, applicants must hold/obtain current 
First Aid, CPR certification, obtain the (online) FEMA IS-100a, IS-200a, 
IS 700, IS-317 (or other FEMA CERT course) certifications and pass a 
written 25 question MSAR Equine Knowledge Test (80% or higher score is 
needed for passing and most questions can be found within U.S. Pony Club 
or 4-H Horse Club manuals). Applicants must also pass all items outlined 
in the Horse and Rider Evaluation (HRE).  While on horseback riding 
helmets are always required when participating with team. Once these 
requirements are achieved you will be promoted as a Trainee and be 
issued a team ID number. Your local Red Cross Chapter can provide 
information about First aid and CPR classes and information about the 
four FEMA courses can be found at 
<http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp>

Trainees seeking promotion to Operational Status must complete a 
recognized 40 hour (fundamental/team member level) Search and Rescue 
Course and obtain (official) NASAR SAR Tech-III Certification, or pass 
the VDEM Virginia Field Team Member Course (with certificate), or pass 
the SAR Tech-II Field/Written exam. Equestrians with prior SAR 
credentials can transfer into our team once their training records have 
been verified and they pass the HRE.  Information about these courses 
can be found online at <www.nasar.org <http://www.nasar.org>>  and <www.vasarco.org <http://www.vasarco.org>>.  Once promoted to Trainee, obtaining a minimum of 40 hours of 
in-service training per year is required by each team member. Due to 
standards requirements attending more than 40 hours may be needed in 
order to meet yearly training requirements

Our Mounted Team has a formal (24/7) response MOU's with the Virginia 
Department of Emergency Management and with the Maryland State and MD 
Natural Resource Police, as well as other local jurisdictions.  We a 
recognized non-profit non-government organization (NGO) first responder 
resource and we only respond to an incident at the request of an 
Authority Having Jurisdiction over the search.  Please feel free to 
contact me at any time should additional questions arise.  I can forward 
you a team membership application, liability waiver, confidentially 
agreement and MSAR written test if you are interested.  Additional 
questions can be emailed to Officers@trotsar.org

Regards,

T'mi

Ms. Tomi` Finkle
Commander
TROTSAR Mounted Team
www.trotsar.org <http://www.trotsar.org>
1-888-MSAR911 (for 24/7 Emergency Dispatch only)
301-412-5249 (cell)

TROT Search and Rescue Mounted Team Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax exempt non-profit organization