Starting a Search Team

1
Starting a Search Team

• Developed as part of the National Emergency
  Services Curriculum Project

2
Logical Steps to Starting a Search Team

• Determine the local interest
• Train regularly as a team
• Develop an alert roster
• Accumulate basic equipment
• Wear your Uniform
• Assign Jobs
• Run training exercises
• Get to know your SAR community
• Advertise

3
Determine local interest

• Find out who is truly interested
• Assess those who are interested carefully
• Physically capable
• Past performance indicators
• Dont burn your bridges

4
Train Regularly as a Team

• Establish core training for all personnel
• Are you serious?
• Legal defense
• Plan for advanced training that meets
  certification requirements
• CAP requirements
• Local requirements

5
Develop an Alert Roster

• Collect Contact information
• Distribute to team members
• Update the roster regularly
• Practice callouts monthly

6
Accumulate Basic Equipment

• Centrally located team equipment
• Equipment for new members
• Limited resources cant just be given away
• Dont be afraid to use it when necessary
• Purchase equipment based on true needs for the
  team to meet the mission

7
Wear your Uniform

• Communicates serious nature of team
• Provides for recognition by other agencies
• Required for FTCA/FECA coverage
• Required by CAP Regulations

8
Assign Jobs

• Are key functions filled?
• Train personnel for multiple specialties
• Train at least two members to be able to set up
  an ICP until specialized searchers arrive

9
Run Training Exercises

• Train for the full mission, not just targeted
  segments
• Make sure the responsible agencies know that you
  are training
• Dont train alone
• Other CAP units
• Outside agencies

10
Get to know Your SAR Community

• Statewide SAR Organizations
• Ask for help
• Join local SAR councils and attend their meetings
• Establish MOUs and Joint Operating Plans

11
Advertise

• Let the community know your available
• Update the local responsible agencies
• Dont oversell your team
• Make sure your operations are coordinated with
  your superiors
• They are ultimately responsible at the local
  level
• They wont use you unless they know you

12
QUESTIONS