Overall, the national standards requirements seem like they are coming
anyway. So I hope all you knowledgeable MSAR folks will jump in and make
them the best they can be. Now is the time.
Jeff Ezell
I think this is it in a nutshell. When you see
something coming your way you have a couple of choices- get on board and try
to make sure you can carry the load when it hits you; duck and hope it flies
by without anyone being any wiser; run and hope you can avoid it for ever.
<G> I'm jumping on board. Our county already requires SAR TECH II
certification for all SAR field personnel. Further requirements are a matter
of probability not possibility. I believe that a good portion of this
direction is due to the potential for legal action against the various
agencies involved in any SAR action. Standardization, especially national
standardization, makes good sense from this point of view. From the point of
view of SAR teams we ought to be glad that national standards of any kind are
happening- especially ones where we have had a chance of input. <g>
Why do I think standardization is important and why doesn't it bother me
that NASAR will be the ones to do it? First, when I am in the field I want to
know that any other teams joining me know basically the same things I do, have
basic control over their mounts, and are capable of helping rather than
hindering any operation underway. Second, because I am invested in the idea of
Search and Rescue I want to know that anyone getting lost anywhere in the US
has a good chance of being looked for, and hopefully rescued, by well trained
teams that are a credit to the entire SAR organization. And third, least
important but still an issue, I want to know that MSAR teams- by proving
competence in a national set of standards, may begin to get some of the credit
they deserve and may rise above being the "butt" of jokes by folks who don't
know our capabilities.
I have no complaints against NASAR. They are no more or less expensive than
other professional organizations I belong to- all of which are volunteer
organizations. They have the resources and the name recognition to lend
credibility to any new standards. I am pleased that they have seen the need
and are reacting to it. I appreciate those of you on this list who are
volunteering to help in this endeavor.
Now, what was that issue that you wanted input on? <G>
Chris Pennington Big Bear Sheriff's Posse MSAR
PS- just wanted to say that there have been some really thought provoking
and sensitive posts here lately. Some of you are very eloquent in your
presentations and obviously lots of thought has gone into all the posts. I
appreciate the passion that everyone is showing as we debate this important
issue. It is indicative of deep committment!!
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