Jorene Downs <Jorene@ceoates.com> wrote:
>There are numerous human resources involved in a SAR. And every role is an
>important one - IC management, field searchers, the crew preparing meals,
>etc. - just as all the various skill sets are valued.
Absolutely. And if you're in an area where each SAR group must
provide a complete ICS structure, then you want all skill sets
in your group. But if, in your area, each group has a primary
function, then you're better off in a group that has a specialty.
Of course cross-training is very important, but in a specialty
group (at least in ours), the threshold for participation by a
new volunteer is competence in that specialty.
I am not saying New Mexico does it better. There is a downside
to being specialized: it can encourage ignorance about other
kinds of specialized resources.
Una Smith
Santa Fe County Sheriff's Posse, New Mexico