Mounted search and rescue

["Finkle, Tomi <CTR>" <Tomi.Finkle@associates.dhs.gov>]

Please go to our team's website for the answers to most of your
questions www.trotsar.org  Yes, we have adopted ASTM MSAR Responder
standards, but not as a stand alone SAR source. We point to them only as
another standard we meet or exceed as part of our MSAR toolbox.

Our team (TROTSAR Mounted Team Inc.) goes through a validation process
every one to three years.  As a NGO SAR validated SAR resource, our
training records, testing materials and administrative recording keeping
inspected by two (2) different state agencies(MD and VA; one state
inspects/validates annually and the other every 3 years).  Our MSAR
deployment MOU is based which is issued at the State level of
government.  These MOU's minimizes our liability issues and concerns.
Our team is ready for inspection by any government agency. 

We regards to your inspection readiness question: I only know of one
other MSAR-Riders member (a MSAR Chief in SE PA) that holds the proper
credentials and validation to conduct such an inspection for our team.


Because of the geographic makeup of our team members, our service area
covers over 100 counties we do not report to a County AHJ. We require
all applicants that join the team to have the equivalent KSA's of Level
D pony club requirements. To Read or NOT to Read is not our concern.
Does the person have the knowledge- Yes or No. I know people that have
passed the NASAR SAR Tech II test, yet never read the first page of the
manual.     

We all have concerns about other MSAR teams.  Personally I think it
would be best for folks to make sure and dust out the cobwebs within
their team, before putting on the white gloves and questioning another
team's practices, protocols and KSA's.  

 
T'mi
www.trotsar.org
           




-----Original Message-----
On Behalf Of Una Smith
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 11:20 AM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Standards for mounted SAR

One thing that concerns me is how much "pointing at ASTM standards"
goes on, without much of anything to back it up.  As far as liability
goes, that seems worse than being oblivious.

So, those of you who have adopted the new ASTM standard for MSAR:
How have you adopted it?  Have you written a training manual?  Have
you developed a test, written or practical?  Do you have questions
about how to adopt it?  How are you handling the "incorporation by
reference" to the Pony Club manual?  Do you require your members to
read it?  Do you test them to ensure that they do read it?  Do you
expect your members to follow it?  Can we help you?  Are you ready
for one of us to do a conformance assessment on your materials and
practices?

        Una Smith
        New Mexico