Douglas County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue

Strategic & Operations Plan 2005

 

                

 

Douglas County Search & Rescue Business Plan

Document Overview

Douglas Country Sheriff ‘s Search & Rescue (DCSSAR) has served Douglas County since 1955.  This document explains how DCSSAR fits into the overall emergency response plan of Douglas County and presents a set of short- and long-term strategic initiatives that will ensure the unit’s ability to meet the growing needs of Douglas County for years to come.   

In general, this document is meant to serve as a roadmap or compass for DCSSAR’s present and future leaders.  It also identifies ways in which DCSSAR will aid Douglas County in successfully navigating over-the-horizon challenges.  Finally, this document is meant to serve as a basis for grant and funding requests so that DCSSAR can properly fund its operations, training and equipment needs.

DCSSAR’s Function

In Nevada, search and rescue responsibility is assigned to the Sheriff’s department[1].  In Douglas County, this function is performed primarily by DCSSAR, a unit comprised of professionally trained volunteers capable of performing searches, man tracking, swift water rescue, basic emergency medical services, wilderness survival and rescue, backcountry navigation, high/low angle rope rescue, avalanche rescue, fire evacuation and downed aircraft searching.  DCSSAR also provides assistance to neighboring counties and general aid to the Sheriff’s department.

Although a majority of the emergency response services in Douglas County are handled by law enforcement officers in the Sheriff’s Department and the various fire departments, those agencies are not equipped or trained for backcountry search and rescue operations.   Addi­tionally, the low frequency, large manpower and extended deployment nature of SAR missions would be very disruptive to the day-to-day operations of those other agencies.

The need for SAR in Douglas County

Douglas County comprises approximately 750 square miles of high desert and mountainous regions in and around Lake Tahoe[2].  Most of the county is undeveloped backcountry frequented by local citizens and visitors from around the world for various recreational purposes.  The interaction of people, challenging wilderness terrain and frequent adverse weather predict­ably create the need for search and rescue services.

A brief overview of how DCSSAR fits into the overall emergency response plan of Douglas County and its capabilities and common missions are outlined below.

Multi-Jurisdiction/Big-Event Missions

Big-event missions involve many subjects and/or require support from multiple agencies.  In recent years, DCSSAR has responded to several major wild fires, floods and missing children searches[3] and is also the primary agency responsible for fire evacuations.  No one can predict when Douglas County will confront similar events again, but significant natural and man-made emergencies will undoubtedly occur, and DCSSAR will once again be needed to coordinate and deploy its technical and manpower resources.

Optimizing resource deployment on major events is complex and challenging and is often subjected to great public scrutiny.  Although technical competence is important, experience has shown that interagency cooperation and communication as well as agency culture all play important roles in how effectively large-magnitude events are handled[4]. 

DCSSAR’s role in a big event varies based upon the other local, state and federal resources that are deployed.  However, the unit possesses several characteristics that make it well suited to work on these types of events.  The tangible and intangible assets DCSSAR brings to bear for large events are outlined below.

Communications Equipment.  Interagency communications is one of the most important and common challenges confronting operations leaders in charge of managing interagency resources at a major event.  All DCSSAR members are experienced with using radio communications, and some have radios capable of communicating on frequencies used by other agencies[5].  In addition, all DCSSAR vehicles have radios that can communicate with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

Use of Incident Command System (ICS).  ICS is a formalized management system used for managing emergency and non-emergency events.  It is used by most federal emergency aid agencies and all local fire departments.  DCSSAR uses ICS for all of its operations, which makes the unit well suited to work in large interagency incidents.  The importance of different organizations being able to work together under ICS was noted in the recent 9/11 Commission Report[6].

 

Local Knowledge.  Most of DCSSAR’s members are long-time residents of Douglas County and have both historical and geographical knowledge of the local area.  This local expertise is supplemented with frequent training that involves both foot and vehicle navigation in the backcountry.

Technical Expertise.  All unit members receive the recurrent training necessary to maintain operational proficiency for search and rescue missions[7].  In addition, many unit members have advanced training as high/low angle rope rescue technicians, swift water rescue technicians, first responder medical technicians and EMTs, and in personal fire protection, wilderness evidence searches, man tracking and managing lost person incidents. 

Equipment.  DCSSAR, with support from the Sheriff’s Department, maintains a fleet of six four-wheel drive trucks, six snow mobiles, a snow cat, a technical rope and water rescue truck, an off-road emergency transport truck (similar to an ambulance), a rescue raft and a powered rescue boat.  In addition, the unit has a small cache of avalanche beacons and handheld radios.  All DCSSAR vehicles are available for use by the Sheriff’s Department at any time.

Rapid Deployment.  Although the volunteer nature of DCSSAR means that there are not rescue members standing ready to respond within seconds of a call, initial resources are typically able to begin deployment within 15-20 minutes of a tone-out[8].  In general, DCSSAR is able to deploy up to 25 trained personnel during the first hour of a major event; this capability adds significant resources to an event in far less time than is possible from resources outside Douglas County.

Cohesive Team.   One of the benefits that accrues from DCSSAR’s repeated and continuous training is cohesiveness.  Rescue members fully appreciate that the success of every mission and the ability to save lives depend on teamwork.  This is an intangible asset but one that is critical to responding successfully to emergency operations.

Team Players.  Like any emergency response agency, DCSSAR instills and practices team work continuously.  This culture extends to situations during which DCSSAR works with other agencies as well.  Rescue members at all levels respect the interagency support role DCSSAR plays during large events involving law enforcement or fire agencies. 

ICS handles large emergencies through a divide-and-conquer strategy that assigns various tasks to small teams.   

Although big event scenarios like the 1997 floods, the Gondola fire and the recent Waterfall fire are not everyday events, similar events will undoubtedly occur again.  When the next big emergency does confront Douglas County, DCSSAR’s tactical resources will undoubtedly be needed and relied upon to provide emergency services.

Single Agency Missions

Internal missions are those missions that are conducted entirely with DCSSAR resources and under the command of DCSSAR.   Most of the time, these missions are initiated by calls to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.  Although every mission is unique, experience has shown that certain types of missions can be predicted to occur from year to year.

Missing Skiers/Snowboarders.  Most winter missions involve searching for skiers who have chosen to ski out of bounds from the Heavenly Ski Resort.  Severe weather and avalanche dangers are common concerns of these missions.

Carson River.  Approximately 60 miles of the Carson River flow through Douglas County.  Each year 2000-5000 people traverse the river from Markleeville, California, to Gardnerville, Nevada.  DCSSAR trains to handle swift-water rescue in the river, and routinely, the unit responds to locate and rescue overdue rafters.

Lost Hikers and Off-Road Vehicles.  Douglas County has hundreds of trails in the Pine Nut Mountains, along the Carson River and the mountains that surround Lake Tahoe.  Whether due to lack of preparation or bad luck, people routinely become lost or stranded and need rescue services when exploring these wilderness areas. For these types of emergencies, DCSSAR is the best-equipped and primary first responder.

Backcountry Accidents.  There are over 150 miles of backcountry roads and trails available for off-road use in Douglas County.  DCSSAR is the primary agency charged with providing emergency medical services to these areas.  DCSSAR EMTs may be called upon to transport injured persons out of danger by land or to prepare subjects for helicopter evacuation.  DCSSAR also transports fire rescue personnel to areas their vehicles cannot reach.

Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELTs).  ELTs are devices placed in airplanes and boats that emit a radio signal when suddenly jarred from a crash or submersion.  When satellites detect the signal, calls to DCSSAR are issued so that the signal can be precisely traced using the unit’s ELT locating receivers (L-Pers).  ELT tone-outs are fairly common, and although most of the time these devices are set off as a result of a malfunction or due to someone inadvertently triggering the ELT while working on an airplane, DCSSAR does respond to crashed aircraft.

The value of DCSSAR

The motto of DCSSAR is “That others may live…”.  To assign a value to a unit whose sole purpose is to preserve lives is impossible.  Nonetheless, in terms of taxpayer dollars, DCSSAR consumes minimal resources.  In fact, its discretionary budget from the Sheriff’s Department is only $1500 per year.  This budget is supplemented by support from the community and fund raising efforts of the group.  On average, 73% of the unit’s funding comes from community donations.    In addition, members spend thousands of dollars of their own money to outfit themselves to participate in various types of SAR missions and sometimes endure lost pay while responding to emergencies. 

Over the past five years, DCSSAR’s average operating budget, excluding vehicle maintenance and operating costs covered by the Sheriff’s Department, has averaged $10,000 per year.  With this level of funding, DCSSAR has been able to keep vehicles properly outfitted for service and provide advance rescue training for select members.  In addition, the unit has upgraded its rope rescue equipment to comply with National Fire Protection Association standards and almost fully equip its technical rescue truck.

In many ways, the self-sufficient mantra that permeates SAR operations has carried over into the manner in which DCSSAR meets its financial needs.  By accepting responsibility for raising some of the funds needed to operate, the unit has greater incentive to carefully manage its finances.  In addition, it achieves efficiencies over other county agencies from the fact that not all of its money is subject to county budgeting realities that encourage organizations to spend money as soon as possible versus as it is needed.

The charts below show the approximate distribution of income and expenses within the unit. 

 

 

 

During the past three years, DCSSAR provided over 3500 man-hours on actual search, rescue and mutual aid missions.  In addition, its members spent over 16,000 man hours completing training, equipment maintenance and other tasks required to maintain 24-7-365 readiness.  Without question, the taxpayers of Douglas County pay very little for the capabilities DCSSAR contributes to meeting emergency response needs.

The Future of SAR in Douglas County

Technology, tourist demographics, backcountry trail development, liability concerns and growth within Douglas County all affect the number and nature of future SAR operations.  Some trends could reduce the need for SAR operations, yet on the whole it seems likely that the demands on DCSSAR will increase.  Listed below are the most significant trends and issues that will confront DCSSAR over the next 3-5 years.

Technology.  Technology is a double-edged sword with respect to SAR operations on many levels.  Technologies such as GPS, cell phones and personal locators can assist rescuers tremendously and greatly reduce the time and resources needed to conduct a mission.  Cell phones and personal location devices, however, may also lead people into a false sense of security and cause them to take chances they would not ordinarily consider because they believe that help is merely a phone call away.  In addition, there is evidence that cell phone convenience causes some subjects to be quick to call for help instead of self-rescuing[9]. 

Advances in sport utility vehicles, snow mobiles, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), skis and other outdoor “toys” are decreasing the skill level and experience needed for people to access remote areas and are making it easier for people to put themselves in situations beyond their skill levels.  Incidents of high-marking[10], off-road traveling and out-of-bounds skiing are all increasing due to the proliferation of new technology. 

A reasonable postulate seems to be that technology will necessitate more SAR operations in Douglas County, but that advances in communication may make those operations easier to conduct.

Back-Country Trail Development.  The Tahoe Rim Trail has gained much notoriety in recent years and will no doubt attract thousands of visitors in years to come.  In addition, the Carson Valley Trails Association (CVTA) plans to develop a number of significant trails from the Valley up to the Rim Trail and in the Lake Tahoe Basin over the next few years. These new trails will draw more people into the backcountry and will result in the need for search and rescue services in new areas.

Tourism.  Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley offer some of most unique and beautiful outdoor experiences in the world.  Each year more than 250,000 people visit Douglas County from the United States and around the world.  Increased competition in the gambling industry is causing local businesses to promote and encourage people to use the outdoor resources that are unique to this region. 

During the last three years, about 30% of SAR missions involved looking for tourists or individuals who reside outside of Douglas County, Carson City or South Lake Tahoe. Increases in the number of tourists, combined with the other factors mentioned above make it reasonable to predict that DCSSAR will be called upon more regularly in the future.

Population Growth.  Douglas County’s population has increased more than 50% since 1990 and will continue to grow significantly for many years to come[11].  Similar growth trends exist for Carson, Washoe and El Dorado counties.  This increased population results in more people venturing into the Tahoe mountains, the Carson River and the Pine Nut Mountains, which in turn will increase the need for backcountry search and rescue services.

Public Education.  Although DCSSAR’s primary mission is to respond to emergencies, there is also a place for DCSSAR in helping to prevent situations from occurring in the first place.  An educational program that combines the Hug-A-Tree curriculum along with some of the specific terrain and weather issues of Douglas County could be very useful for school-age children. The public relations benefit of providing public education courses is also a plus.

Litigation Mitigation.  The increasing propensity for people to resort to litigation when government agencies fail to perform, even under exceptional circumstances, is a fact that must be dealt with proactively.  Maintaining proper equipment, training and unit proficiency are keys to mitigating liability.  Most of the top funding priorities outlined later in this plan go toward improving rescue member safety and operational effectiveness, which inherently helps to mitigate the legal exposure of DCSSAR, the Sheriff, and the County.

Standards-Based Training.  The 9/11 event highlighted the need for various agencies to work together.  Standards-based training is one of the criteria that facilitates agency cooperation.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) and the Mountain Rescue Association have all established standards for wilderness and backcountry search and rescue units.  In the near future, DCSSAR expects to align its internal standards with those of a nationally recognized organization.  This “arms-length” approval of the unit’s training curriculum would likely prove useful in the event of litigation.

Building a Better SAR Unit

The professionalism and capabilities of DCSSAR have improved steadily since the organization’s inception over 50 years ago.  By 2010, the unit plans to be certified under a nationally recognized standard as well has have 50% more rescue members with specialized technical swift water, rope rescue, medical, man tracking and ICS certifications.  The end result of this goal will be a more capable SAR team that is better prepared for future challenges.

Achieving these goals will require attention to five areas: people, training, equipment, funding and administration. The specific challenges and opportunities related to each are discussed below.   

People.  Becoming a good field search and rescue member takes several years of training and experience.  Accordingly, one of the keys to building a better SAR unit is increasing the number of members with more than three years of active experience in the unit.    Successfully meeting the staffing requirements requires that personal time and financial obligations required of rescue members are balanced by the personal satisfaction they will gain from their community service.

Nothing can be done to lessen the time requirements of SAR members.  The professional nature of the unit demands ongoing training, and SAR operations often conflict with personal, family and work obligations[12].  In addition, basic safety measures require that most members purchase $500-$1000 worth of personal equipment before being allowed to deploy into the field.  Given these realities, it seems most productive to seek ways of increasing members’ personal satisfaction.

Strategies for improving the number of long-term members in DSSSAR:

·         Take further steps to increase the public’s understanding of the unit’s role in Douglas County’s emergency response plan and of the tremendous commitment of DCSSAR’s members.  A compliment or expression of appreciation from community members does a lot to boost members’ morale and reminds them of their importance to the community.

·         Ensure the unit has adequate equipment.  It is tremendously demoralizing to the rescue team when it has trained people ready and willing to respond to an event but cannot do so because of equipment issues that were known long before hand.

·         Move the training up a few technical notches.  SAR members are typically highly motivated type-A personalities, and technical competence brings great personal satisfaction.  Increasing the technical level of the trainings may require more time, but the satisfaction for long-term members will increase geometrically.

·         Maintain good and open communication.  Continue to make use of the unit’s newsgroup, and supplement this with a periodic newsletter designed to inform members and their families about SAR issues and the unit.[13] 

Training.  Each year, DCSSAR conducts a 6-week, 100-hour academy devoted to the various disciplines needed to bring new members into the unit.    Although this course provides new members with a good overview of SAR operations, it does not provide any advanced training.  After the academy, members spend 8-12 hours each month training.

Strategies for improving the unit’s training and technical expertise are:

·         Identify a set of nationally recognized certifications that, if obtained will meet or exceed the current requirements of rescue members and institute a policy that requires members to obtain these certifications.

·         Modify monthly training regimens to include more search and rescue scenarios rather than simply concentrating on technical disciplines.

·         Systematically encourage all rescue members to obtain at least one operational specialty within two years of graduating from the academy.  This should include reimbursing members for the cost of training.

·         Set specific goals for the number and type of rescue members with technical disciplines within the unit.

·         Regularly conduct trainings with other Douglas County agencies and SAR units in adjacent counties.

·         Encourage members to attend national SAR training conferences.

It should be reinforced that training is one of the main litigation mitigation strategies.

Equipment.  The near- and long-term equipment needs of DCSSAR will revolve primarily around purchasing equipment needed to ensure rescue member safety and meeting land and snow transportation needs.

The major equipment needed by DCSSAR in the coming years and an explanation of the urgency and reason for each need are outlined below.

·         Hand-Held Radios

Reasons: Safety, improved resource management, improved inter-agency communications, morale

Urgency: High

Explanation: Very few of the radios in the unit’s cache work reliably.  Search teams are sometimes sent into the field with no radio backup or are prevented from dividing into different groupings because there are too few radios within a team.  In addition, none of the older radios has the ability to communicate on non-SAR channels.  This is such an obvious need that the failure of the unit to provide working radios is also a morale issue.

·         Wild Land Fire Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

Reasons: Safety, resource deployment, morale

Urgency: Low until May 2005, then High

Explanation: DCSSAR is the primary agency charged with fire evacuation in Douglas County.  Current unit regulations require that rescue members deployed in and around fires be trained in the use of fire shelters and have personal protection equipment suitable for wild land fires.  Currently, there are many members who have the appropriate training but who are not outfitted with PPE.  Some DCSSAR resources were not deployed during the recent Waterfall fire due to this deficiency, which is another example of a situation in which the lack of proper equipment reduces unit morale.

·         Second Lake Tahoe Unit Vehicle.

Reasons: Improved resource management, faster deployment time, morale

Urgency: Medium

Explanation: Although the majority of SAR members live in the valley, there are currently nine members/trainees who live or work at Lake Tahoe.  There have been several events during the past year where 6-7 members responded to the Lake Tahoe sub station, which has only a single vehicle.  The lack of a second vehicle at the Lake delays deployment time and also is a significant point of frustration to rescue members who leave their work and family only to find that they cannot immediately deploy to an event because there is no vehicle.

·         Four Snowmobiles.

Reasons: Improved deployment time, safety, basic snow response capability

Urgency: 2 snowmobiles – Very High; 2 additional snowmobiles - high

Explanation: The unit’s current snowmobiles are very unreliable.  In 2004 and 2005, there were times when most of them were inoperative, or when it took considerable time to deploy them due to mechanical issues.  The predictable unreliability of the current machines is always a big concern of operations leaders and snowmobile operators during searches.  Presently, the unit has six snowmobiles, but the unit’s capabilities would actually improve if these decades-old units could be sold and replaced with four newer units.  In addition, none of the snowmobiles can match the power and traction of modern snowmobiles and therefore are incapable of traversing the same terrain that members may need to enter during SAR operations.

·         Snow Cat

Reasons: Improved deployment time, safety, basic snow response capability

Urgency: Moderate

Explanation: Snowmobiles are good for traversing long distances in short time.  However, they lack the ability to transport large loads of rescue equipment or groups of people.  The unit’s current snow cat is more than 40 years old, is prone to mechanical issues, and parts become more difficult to obtain every year.  Given its age and importance, plans should be made to replace this piece of equipment in the next 3-5 years.

·         Computers & Software

Reasons:  Improved resource management

Urgency: Low

Explanation: The unit is presently making good use of two antiquated laptop computers.  Mapping and satellite imaging software is proving to be a very effective tool for managing field resources.  In addition, there are software packages that may be very useful for managing all facets of an event.  It is likely the current computers, which are over 4 years old, will need to be replaced in the next few years.

·         Vehicle Replacement

Reasons: Improved response capabilities, safety.

Urgency: Medium

Explanation: Some of the unit’s vehicles are over 20 years old.  Vehicles are out of service regularly due to maintenance issues, and it is not uncommon for rescue team assignments to be curtailed due to lack of confidence in equipment.  The Sheriff’s Department has some 4-wheel drive vehicles that can be used on SAR missions.  However, these vehicles are not equipped with winches and other equipment necessary for backcountry navigation.  In general, 2-3 of the current fleet should be replaced during the next 5 years.  A more comprehensive vehicle plan is attached as Appendix D.

·         Two ATVs

Reasons:  Improved response capabilities

Urgency: Low

Explanation: ATVs offer the capability to traverse terrain that is difficult or impossible to traverse by truck.  There are many horse and motorcycle trails in the Tahoe and Pine Nuts areas that currently can be accessed only on foot.  In some circumstances, the use of ATV’s would be invaluable.

Administration.  Like any organization, DCSSAR requires a certain amount of attention to administrative duties.  Budgets, operations reports, training organization, recruitment and equipment management are all administrative functions that affect the overall operation of the unit.

Strategies for improving the unit’s administrative functions are:

·         Create a detailed annual report for the Sheriff’s Department so that it is made aware of DCSSAR’s success at achieving the goals set forth in this business plan.  This report will keep the SO apprised of both positive and negative changes in human and equipment resources.

·         Update and improve the systems used for tracking and allocating equipment to members.  Make sure equipment allocations are optimized to meet the unit’s goals.

·         Stay responsive and attentive in making sure operational needs of the organization are met.

·         Reach out to the community to recruit additional support members who can assist with administrative and logistical objectives set forth in this plan and by the Board of Directors.

Funding.  Many of the goals set forth in this “Building a Better SAR Unit” section have fiscal implications that current funding levels cannot address.  A number of strategies for obtaining additional funding are outlined below.  Notably, this plan does not contemplate expanding the time that rescue members spend doing fundraising.  While there are team-building aspects to fundraising events, in general, the operational effectiveness and member safety are better served by members spending time training and not fundraising.

Strategies for improving the unit’s funding and financial management are:

·         Motivate the unit to remain fiscally responsible by continuing to raise at least 30% of the unit’s funds through the direct fundraising efforts of unit members.

·         Make formal grant applications to both local and national foundations and organizations.

·         Continue to solicit donations from local service groups.

·         Ask the Sheriff’s Department and Douglas County to fund specific one-time expenses.

·         Make sure that plans exist to replace major pieces of equipment amply before replacement becomes mandatory.

·         Develop an annual fundraiser that generates at least $5000 per year, perhaps with another community organization, and requires an average of less than 8 hours of effort per member per year.

·         Purchase good used equipment versus new.

Conclusion

Over the past 55 years, DCSSAR has saved numerous lives and provided Douglas County with thousands of hours of service on hundreds of search, rescue and mutual aid events.[14]  DCSSAR’s technical expertise, geographical knowledge, team training and ability to deploy significant manpower for extended periods of time on short notice will continue to make it a critical first responder asset to Douglas County.

Currently, the unit’s aging communications equipment, trucks and snow vehicles require constant repair, frequently in the field.  Experience in the SAR community has shown that newer, more reliable equipment, greatly increases a unit’s capabilities and improves safety.  Therefore, DCSSAR considers upgrading its equipment a high funding priority.

Another funding priority relates to training.  The geographic diversity of Douglas County requires DCSSAR to maintain a diverse set of technical capabilities.   In addition to increasing the number of rescue members with specialized training, the unit is taking steps to ensure that its training standards for all rescue members meet or exceed those of NASAR and like organizations.  This will ensure the highest level of competency and safety.

Over the past five years, the county’s budget allocation to DCSSAR has been supplemented by a factor of five through the fundraising efforts of the unit’s members.  While this level of funding has allowed for some improvements, it is inconceivable that it will be enough fulfill the equipment and training needs outlined in this plan.  Accordingly, the unit will seek additional funding from large grants, new equipment donations and/or additional funding from the County.

Once completed, the operational goals and objectives set forth in this plan will ensure that DCSSAR meets the challenges and needs of Douglas County with an ever-increasing level of professionalism for many years to come. 

 

APPENDIX

 

 

Appendix A – Douglas County Map & Terrain Overview

Appendix B – Major DCSSAR Events

Appendix C – Operational Skills Overview

Appendix D –Vehicle Plan

 

APPENDIX A – Douglas County Map

APPENDIX B - Major DCSSAR Events*

 

Floods

Gondola Fire

Lost Boaters on Lake Tahoe

Waterfall Fire

Appendix C – Operational Skills Overview

 

Basic Skills

4WD

Winter Survival / Personal Survival

First Aid / CPR

ELT Searches

Navigation / Map & Compass / GPS

Avalanche

Fire Evacuation

Geographic Knowledge

Snow Mobile Operation

Search Techniques

ICS – Basic

Evidence Searches

Track Awareness

 

 

Advanced Skills

Swift Water Rescue

Rope Rescue

Man Tracking

ICS

Alpine Ski Searches

Wilderness First Responder Medical

EMT

Managing Lost Person Incidents

Wild land Fire

ATV Operations

Search Dog Training\Use

SARTECH I Certification

Rescue Boat Operations

Confined Space Rescue

Snow cat Operation

 

APPENDIX D – Vehicle Plan

 

Appendix F – How DCSSAR’s Core Competencies Compare

 

There are four prominent national organizations that have developed standards related to the functions performed by DCSSAR.  Chart F-1 compares DCSSAR’s list of core competencies with those suggested by the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) and the Mountain Rescue Association (MSR) and the National Fire Protection Association.  Charts F-2, F-3, and F-4 indicate where DCSSAR’s capabilities fall within classifications established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Relevant details about these organizations are included below.

National Association of Search and Rescue

NASAR offers a number of certifications.  For the purposes of the attached chart, SAR Tech II standards were used.  DCSSAR is presently taking steps to see that all rescue personnel attain their SAR Tech II certifications.

Mountain Rescue Association

MRA offers SAR team certifications in disciplines related to mountain search and rescue operations.  This contrasts with NASAR’s standards, which are geared towards certifying individual team members.    MRA’s certifications are geared to alpine SAR teams, which focuses on some disciplines not relevant to DCSSAR’s type of missions.

National Fire Protection Association

The NFPA has established a very detailed set of training guidelines for a number of disciplines that relate to fire fighters.  DCSSAR currently trains its siftwater technicians to these standards and has adopted these standards as the basis for its operations level and technician level rope training.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA has not established specific training guidelines for search and rescue organizations.  However, it has developed a resource classification system for SAR units.  The highlighted areas in the FEMA resource charts indicate DCSSAR’s type rating on a capability-by-capability basis.

 

Appendix G –End-of-Year Technical Capabilities Report

***** DRAFT - THIS REPORT IS NOT COMPLETE ****

	2002*	2003*	2004
Active Members
Reserve Members
Trainees
Unit Certifications
OL’s
TL’s
Avalanche Search
Snow cat Operation
Ski Team
Wilderness Fire PPE			20
Swift Water Operations
Rope Technicians
Rope Operations
SARTECH I			2
SARTECH II
SARTECH III
Outside Certifications
CPR			22
RN	1	1	1
EMT-B	4	5	5
Wilderness First Responder Medical		1	2
Swift Water Tech – I		7	7
Swift Water Tech – II		1	7
Track Aware			17
Tracker			10
Dog Team
ICS
Avalanche		1
Crime scene tracking			1