1 Search and Rescue Volunteers Washington State’s Search and Rescue Volunteers Helping Others – Saving Lives Presented by Art Jordan President of the Search & Rescue Volunteer Advisory Council of Washington State and Senior Coordinator for Cowlitz County SAR Prepared with assistance from Rick Hood of Navigation Northwest Selected materials from ERI-International slide library. All team photos, logo, and information by/from acknowledged unit links at unless otherwise noted. Part One

2 We Are... the dedicated volunteers, from all walks of life, that train for and respond to Search and Rescue needs in our home county and, when requested, across Washington State and beyond.

3 Our Basic Mission “Search and rescue is the act of searching for, rescuing, or recovering by means of ground, marine, or air activity any person who becomes lost, injured, or is killed while outdoors or as a result of a natural, technological, or human caused disaster...”

4 We Also... Conduct essential evidence searches for local law enforcement. Provide disaster assistance, when requested, by the local Department of Emergency Management or statewide, through the Emergency Management Division. Perform an on-going preventative “stay safe in the outdoors” role. Provide meaningful training and service opportunities for Washington State’s best that have a desire to help others.

5 State SAR Response System Legal Foundation RCW WAC RCW WAC State and Local CEMP

6 State SAR Response System Responsibilities Chief Law Enforcement Officer Conducts SAR Operations. Local DEM Registers Volunteers and Coordinates Support. Director EMD Appoints State Coordinator of SAR Operations. State SAR Coordinator Administers the Emergency Worker Program.

7 State SAR Response System Emergency Worker Program RCW / WAC Liability assumed by the state. Medical, property loss, fuel, and extraordinary expense reimbursement. Missions, evidence searches, and training events.

8 In Washington State, We Have... One or more teams in 26 counties 13 response types –Ranging from general to highly specialized Function Terrain 4000 plus volunteers –Volunteer hours per year exceed 100,000 A ready to respond 24 / 7/ 365 status

9 Washington State Non-Paid Professionals Tally ~700 missions a year* * Chris Long, EMD, best source of information statewide; county DEM office best source for local mission tally. ~

10 SAR Sequenced Approach Search vs. Rescue –Search Seek –Rescue Assist to safety or medical facilities Locate  Access  Stabilize  Transport

11 Accent the “Search” for... the search role usually requires the greatest number of resources as the “uncertainty factor” is high. (Search is a classic mystery.)

12 A SAR Flow Cycle Pre-planning Notification Incident Planning Tactics / Operations Suspension Critique

13 The Local Response... Is the responsibility of the county sheriff or chief law enforcement officer. Conditions for use of resources varies among counties. Regardless, the response is usually performed by non-paid professionals (volunteers).

14 Hence, The SAR Volunteer... is the backbone or core responder, under the direction of the local law enforcement agency, for people in distress throughout this state and country.

15 We Approach Our Responsibility From the Perspective That Search is an emergency. 2. Search is a classic mystery. 3. Search for clues, and subject. 4. Concentrate on aspects that are... - Important to search success. - Under the control of the search manager. 5. Know if the subject leaves the search area. 6. Close space grid search only as a last resort.

16 For Example, Search Is an Emergency Because... The subject may need emergency care. The subject needs protection from self and environment. The subject may only be responsive for a few hours/days. Time and weather destroy clues. An urgent response lessens search difficulty. Urgent response permits the use of more efficient search techniques.

17 Factors Affecting Urgency Subject profile Weather profile Equipment possessed by subject Subject’s experience Terrain hazards History of incidents in area Time Political sensitivity

18 Ways of Considering SAR Resources How the resource will be used in the field Mission “LAST” paradigm Confinement, management, clue seeking, communications, medical, air transport, etc. Where the resources will be used in the field Water/river, high angle rock, snow and ice, etc. The qualifications of a particular resource Experience, capability, availability, location, etc. The parameters of a resource class Dog teams, scuba, mountain rescue, close order grid, etc.

19 K-9 Examples Handler: Fison, Paul W K-9: Spirit Breed: Belgian Malinois Specialties: Air Scent, Operations Leader Call Sign: Dog 5 Shasta Twelve Dedicated K-9 Teams

20 4 x 4 Examples Six dedicated 4x4 & ATV teams