Mounted search and rescue

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

Good point, T'mi.

Allow me to disclose my own financial interests, or rather lack thereof.

New Mexico SAR volunteers are eligible for reimbursement of some expenses
in connection with official NM SAR missions and training events.  Expenses
that may be reimbursed are gasoline/diesel/aircraft fuel purchased, or
mileage and per diem.

None of my national and international service has ever been reimbursed by
New Mexico state or anyone.  It has all been paid directly out of my pocket.
During the years I was a voting member of ASTM F32 and attended meetings,
I was not reimbursed by anyone for any part of that involvement.  Nor do
I get any money for the thousands (!) of hours I have devoted in the past
10 years to developing and running MSAR-Riders and its derivative lists.

For several years my employer authorized me to respond for SAR missions
during work hours and treated those hours as paid work (community service)
rather than vacation or personal leave without pay.

In a typical year I have about $5000 in out of pocket expenses related to
SAR, and I am reimbursed about $500.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico