SAR

[SmokeDiver]

I was just curious if any of you are involved in search and rescue or USAR. I my region there are no teams organized even with the benefit of having Ft. Rucker so near by to assist. I'm asking because I'm wanting info for training and organization as my department may one day expand it's role along with other departments to form a SAR. I can think of two instances where it may have paid off in the past few years. I'm familiar with Task Force One out of Mobile, I'm sure there are plenty of SAR teams in north Alabama. If you could point me towards some groups I'd be much obliged!

[McDowra]

tjs1963 is addicted to SAR, checkout her blogsite HERE!!!

[Rigormortis]

We have several SAR Units in my area but I don't think they can find their way out of the woods if they get lost. 

[SmokeDiver]

tjs1963 is addicted to SAR, checkout her blogsite HERE!!!

Excellent blog! Thanks much!

[tjs1963]

Rigormortis:  Sorry you have such a poor opinion of SAR volunteers/workers.  My canine SAR team was formed in 1996 and several of the members currently were founding members.  We train 52 weeks a year, regardless of weather, and have several call outs per year. Our members also attend 1 to 3 week-long SAR seminars a year, at our own expense.  We are a non-profit organization.  Our members are certified by NASAR (National Assoc. of Search & Rescue) and are professional in every since of the word.  I promise that if you are ever lost and we get called out, we won't get lost looking for you :-)

SmokeDiver - My team's website is http://www.nasdak9.org  There's a lot of good info on there.  You can also shoot me an email @ tjs1963@aol.com if you want to talk about SAR further. While my team is a canine team, we are all also certified "ground pounders".  I've been on the team since Sept. 1993 with my GSD Brandi.  It's a great thing.  I can provide a community service and get to get out in the woods all the time! 

We also look for volunteers to come get "lost" for us at practice.  So if you are interested in coming to a practice, we'd love to have you!  We will be on the Arsenal in Huntsville for Saturday's practice.  We start around 7:45 a.m. and are done when we're done.  Depending on how many are at practice, that can be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  We just never know!

Terri

[Lostsheep]

I don't know too much regarding the SAR process, but I definitely tip my hat to those of you who partake in SAR. Thank you for your help, dedication, and time.

As much as I hate saying it, I really don't want to have to meet you on the trail that way.

[tjs1963]

Well - we'd prefer to not meet you on the trail that way either!  So, make sure you have that map and compass (and GPSr) and know how to use them!!

[SmokeDiver]

Thanks for the advice Terri, I'd like to participate in one of those scenarios. What is the governing body for training in SAR? I've found it really strange that NFPA and the AL Fire College have all kinds of tech rescue certs but nothing whatsoever on USAR and SAR. I've always wanted to work with canines in this regard. I've got your blog and your teams website bookmarked.

edit: Thought I'd share an article that was in Backpacker Magazine a while back. Features my favorite dog breed, Australian Shepherds!
Could this dog save your life?

[tjs1963]

Hey there:
I saw that article (I subscribe to BPer)  For "USAR," FEMA is pretty much the governing body, so to speak.  In the post-911 world, with Dept. of HS getting into the act, etc, if SAR teams (any kind of team) wants to get any of the Federal $$ out there, they will have to get FEMA-typing, etc.  That being said, the FEMA typing standards are still not set in stone yet.  Everything is still really up in the air.  NASAR is tailoring their certs along the FEMA prelimiary guidelines so they will hopefully be in synch when they are finally published.

A lot of canine teams use the NASAR certifications (http://www.nasar.org).  NASAR certifies canines and humans for wilderness, human remains detection, trailing, etc.  They also have certs in swift water rescue and some other areas I believe.  Our team has a "self-certification" that we can utilize to get a handler/k9 "operational," but it pretty much uses the same criteria as the NASAR test.  There are other groups that also certify, like NAPWDA, NOCDS, NNDDA, etc.  Too many acronyms to remember!

Certainly come and visit with us sometime.  We practice every Saturday morning, September to May.  During the summer months, we go to a week night practice, weekly.  Just shoot us an email when you want to come get lost!

[Joshua Szulecki]

We also look for volunteers to come get "lost" for us at practice.  So if you are interested in coming to a practice, we'd love to have you!  We will be on the Arsenal in Huntsville for Saturday's practice.  We start around 7:45 a.m. and are done when we're done.  Depending on how many are at practice, that can be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  We just never know!

Give another heads up post-leaves and I might be interested in getting lost for a good cause.

[Firedog]

We have a SAR here in Calhoun & Cleburne Co. It covers all of the TNF Shoal Creek District. Hit me up if you need some contact info. I didn't get where you were now. Carl W.

[SmokeDiver]

Pretty far south of you guys, down in Troy. SAR is definitely the next training I want to look at after I wrap up medic school. Most of the training available to us is HazMat and Tech Rescue, the closest teams being at Ft.Rucker and Dothan. Our department is small but growing, and after the events in Enterprise a while ago local pro FD's are looking at expanding training. We know where to get building collapse, confined space, high angle, etc but SAR is something we just don't have in the river region and wiregrass. I'll definitely look to the teams up north when we start to reach out for training.