| 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. |
RESPONSE TO CALLOUT BY PERSONNEL
I. Scope and Purpose
This procedure provides direction to members of the search and rescue team responding to callouts.
II. Definition of Callout
A. A callout is a message received by members of the search and rescue team that the team is needed in a situation. The search and rescue team will not participate in any the search and rescue without a request from the County Sheriff or the Local Police Agency.
III. Duties of Field Members On Receipt of a callout
A. Responding Search and Rescue Team Members shall notify the telephone coordinator their intention to proceed to the callout.
IV. Duties of Telephone Coordinator(s)
A. On receipt of a callout --
1. Obtain such additional information as needed from the officer in charge (directions, call back numbers)
2. Contact all team captains by telephone, leaving messages on answering machines, voice mail, etc.
3. Contact all members of teams that a captain could not be reached.
B. General Instructions--
1. The message shall be brief and to the point-- “___ County Search and Rescue is responding to a search at [location]. Are you responding?”
2. The message shall encourage response and the tone of voice used shall encourage response
3. The telephone coordinator does not have to brief the members on the mission, just get them on the road
C. Callbacks
Members shall be directed to call the Telephone Coordinator. The sheriff’s office is not to be called, beeped, or contacted by cellular phone except in gravest emergency. The officer in charge will call out to the coordinator to update the coordinator.
V. Minimum Crew--Searches
The minimum crew consists of one (1) Command Post Leader, and three (3) searchers.
VI. Special Units
Mounted members shall evaluate the weather and road conditions and may decide to respond/report mounted or dismounted as they shall deem safe. The officer in charge may request a dismounted response based on weather and terrain at the scene.
A more formal policy will be developed as experience develops
VII. Disaster Assistance Response
__SAR will be activated for response at the discretion of the officer in charge for non-search missions at the request of disaster assistance agencies
