Mounted search and rescue

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

When organizing a MSAR unit or any response organization there are at least three categories of documents that should be created:

1.    (Standard) Operational Guidelines (SOG)

2.     Training Curricula which include Evaluation Criteria

3.     Governance of the unit

 

The first category is a “how to” list.  The level of detail should be low enough as to be understood as this is the unit’s best practice and this is the preferred way this task is to be accomplished.  Each SOG should have a title and a date adopted. They should be reviewed at least every five years.  Topics of SOGs generally include how to respond to a dispatch message, firearms policy, accountability, the default communications plan, medical plan, job descriptions, how to report accidents and injuries to the AHJ and the workmen’s comp carrier, what version of ICS forms to use, if there is a FOG or PTB to be used, post incident debriefing and evaluations.  If you own or issue vehicles you need a set of SOG’s to describe this procedure.  The SOG documents the best or most usual way to do a task.  It assumes nothing. By being a SOG rather than a fixed procedure (SOP) the responsible party on scene can vary from the guideline if necessary. For example, you may require that all purchases in the field be by check or credit card.  If the local merchant does not accept checks or credit cards someone will have to either open an account or pay cash.  If the procedure calls for checks and you pay cash you have violated the procedure regardless of the situation where using a guideline would only require a notation in the log that merchant would not take credit card so paid cash, receipt to finance attached to an ICS 213. You should have SOGs in anticipation of situations that rarely occur but present high risk to the organization or its members. And there are topics that are inappropriate for SOGs in many cases. Unless the AHJ is willing to pay for it you do not specify tack, style of riding, or clothing.  A search rider and his horse must be comfortable while working and specifying a bit for a horse that rides bitless, or a Western roping saddle when the rider normally uses a deep seat endurance saddle is beyond ignorant. You will have to define mutual aid and whether you automatically adopt county or state standards.

 

The second category is things like instructors’ manuals, student manuals, tests written by the course author or instructor. Your guideline would say, ”To be a field task leader the member must be in good standing and have passed the training course named Field Task Leader in the last 5 years.”  A student manual Field Task Leader defines what the candidate learns in that class and how passed is evaluated.  The instructor’s manual contains the material to be taught, FAQs, tips, references to other authoritative material, visual aids.  There may be a how to instruct manual for training instructors. If you write your own training materials you should compare them to published standards in the field. These would be ASTM or NFPA.  Your state may have adopted a commercially available curriculum or a state level authorized course.  You, in conjunction with your AHJ, must decide whose standards and teaching materials you will use and document any deviations from those materials. 

 

The third category is the governance of the organization.  These are often called Bylaws.  These documents describe the overall structure of the organization, include its mission, a non-discrimination policy, a conflict of interest policy, what happens if the organization dissolves, defines a board of directors, executive officers, and indemnifies them for official acts on behalf of the organization.  It also defines who is a member of the organization and how members become members or references a SOG describing the process.  These are usually straightforward and should be as brief as possible in a new organization.  As you progress you will find what has to be detailed and what can just reference a SOG or a state law. 

 

You have noticed that each category is shorter than the one before.  This is not because I am a poor, tired typist, but because the first category requires the most local effort.  Your SOGs define how you do things, from deploying task teams of 3, or adopting ICS/NIMS, or being an emergency responder or a VOAD, or something else.  The training material is often borrowed from various sources. You may use the New Mexico syllabus, the Virginia curriculum, National Park Service courses, FEMA materials, or state fire and rescue courses.  If they are adopted by your AHJ they could also be NASAR or ISPT materials.  You must also decide to what level you will certify. FEMA and NFPA use awareness, operations, and technician for most skills. ASTM uses levels 1, 2, 3.  Others use job titles.  Lastly, the governance documents are usually specified by the state non-profit corporation laws and the IRS major sections.  Your state may define what a rescue squad is, or a fire company and so mold your governance documents. You will also have to observe your state’s version of the charitable organization laws and small games of chance for fundraising.

 

Detailed examples are available from many sources, including the archives here and directly from similar organizations, state associations, and others.

 

Irv Lichtenstein

SEPASAR

 

-----Original Message-----
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Una Smith
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 12:10 PM
To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Cc: Stillwater County SAR; nmsar-forum@googlegroups.com
Subject: [MSAR] Team SOP questions from Stillwater County SAR