Mounted search and rescue

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

Title: Mounted Search and Rescue (MSAR) Skills weekend on May 7-8, 2011

The TROTSAR Mounted Team is hosting a Mounted Search and Rescue (MSAR) Skills weekend on May 7-8, 2011.  MSAR Base Camp will be established at the Equine Camping Area (Campsites 28-32) in Cedarville State Forest; 10201 Bee Oak Road Brandywine, MD 20613.  There will be two functional exercises with assigned MSAR search tasks for each, night ops on Saturday and a daytime exercise on Sunday. MSAR teams within FEMA region (who have their own MSAR insurance) are invited to attend, but MSAR responders must hold NASAR SARTECH II or equivalent SAR certification (i.e.: completion of the Virginia or Maryland search team member course).

Notes for the Cedarville Weekend May 7 & 8, 2011:

* Bring your camping fee ($20 per site, 2 team members may share a campsite) and bring your Cedarville park map.

*If you do not have a map, one can be purchased online. Information and maps about CSF can be found online at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/cedarville.asp

* Campsites are roomy and wooded, with picnic tables. No out-sourced firewood is allowed, and wood may be purchased on-site. We are using 4 hr burn "logs".

* Set up camp between 1100 and 1300 hours. Training starts at 14:00 hr on Saturday, you must show proof of neg-coggins before unloading.

* Be fully prepared (with your SAR pack) to execute two field tasks; Task One is night ops at 19:30 hr Saturday and Task Two is on Sunday at 0930 hr.

* The camp loop bath house provides toilets, showers, and an outdoor potable water tap.

* There is a manure pit, but BYO utensils to get the poop in the pit.

* Known hazards are possible heavy tick population, copperhead snakes and other biting insects. Other trail users may include cyclists, hikers w/dogs, runners, wooden bridges and other day-use equestrians.

* To make overnight reservations call the Cedarville Park Office 301-888-1410 and tell them you are camping with TROTSAR. NOTE: contact me directly if you are interested in attending.

T’mi

Ms. Tomi` Finkle, CEM, KB3MKI

Chief

TROTSAR Mounted Team

www.trotsar.org

1-888-MSAR911 (for 24/7 Emergency Dispatch only)

301-412-5249 (cell)

Mission Statement: TROTSAR is a non-profit all volunteer based, mounted search and rescue squad. The Team's primary purpose is to assist federal, tribal, state and local government agencies by providing certified search & rescue personnel mounted on horseback, for lifesaving missions of people who are missing, lost, stranded and/or the rescuing of victims in wilderness, rural, suburban or Wide Area Search missions within the Mid-Atlantic region.