| Below you will find a sample "procedure" or "guide". I posted it here so you can get an idea of where to start with your own Search and Rescue team "Operating Procedures" or "Operating Guide". You can use it as a start for writing your search and rescue team's procedures. |
A Search and Rescue Team Call-out
All Search and Rescue operations requiring the service of __SAR must be initiated by and operate under a local law enforcement agency, usually the County Sheriff Department. When the Sheriff determines that a call-out is necessary, he will initiate a callout to one of our callout personnel.
The Sheriff Department has a copy of our roster with at least 3 persons designated as whom to call in a callout situation.
Upon call-out, the Callout Person:
• Starts a Subject Information Form
• Using the team roster, calls each member of the team.
The first qualified member to arrive on scene will be designated as Command Post Leader (CPL). He will remain CPL until the end of this search or, if necessary, he turns command over to another qualified member.
The Command Post Leader finds a support person (usually a non-rider) to help with Command post duties and they together make a preliminary search plan and define the location of the Staging Area and Command Post. After he meets with the officers on the scene, recons the area, they begin planning the search.
Search and Rescue Callout Procedures
The Call-out person quickly gets the search and rescue team moving to the field. When he gets the call from the sheriff’s office, he will complete a brief plan to include location and directions to the Staging Area, and phone numbers for communication, and a one sentence review of the subject.
The Callout person shall attempt to reach each search and rescue team member.
If answered by a machine, leave only a brief message and a phone number. The callout person must only give minimal information (less than one minute's worth). The callout person does not give out subject information or team phone numbers and will hang-up on talkative persons.
The callout person must be alert to a possible cancellation of the search. Request for additional information from members must go through their respective team leaders. Members do not directly contact the sheriff’s office.
Search and Rescue Call-off Procedures
The callout person must be notified ASAP. He will then call off the search in the same manner that he initiated the callout.
Travel to the Staging Area
All members must comply with state driving regulations and obey all speed laws.
The Search and Rescue Staging Area
The CPL is in charge of establishing and running the search and rescue Staging Area. With the help of his Support Person, he receives a briefing from the agency representative, assures access to the site is maintained, determines available communication, assembles other arriving members, and defines the parking, rest, and briefing areas.
Each area should be separate from the others. The parking area must efficiently use the space allotted and allow any car to leave at any time. The rest area contains food, drink, bathroom facilities, and other amenities. The briefing area must include a work space (hood of a car), and a gathering area.
