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MINIMUM
SEARCH & RESCUE CERTIFICATION
CRITERIA
BASIC
LEVEL
Revised and ratified June 2005 First printed May 1975 INTRODUCTION
The
following is a recommendation for revisions to the current Oregon State Minimum
Search and Rescue Certification Standards. This
document is intended to update the minimum certification standards to include
recent advances in Search and Rescue technologies and strategies.
The intent is to allow for flexibility in the manner to which these
standards are tested. It is understood that
each county may have specific
needs and conditions unique to their area.
Those counties may use this document in the formulation of their own
testing methodology. In the attempt to modernize the
SAR certification standard, several new course points are included.
These course points include knowledge of UTM coordinate systems, GPS use
and limitations, modern search strategies and terminology, search safety as an
objective, and emergency survival. These
areas of knowledge have been included in both the written section as well as the
performance section of the standards. We
respectfully submit these recommended standards for your inspection and
approval. As always, we strive for
excellence and welcome the input of all those who would offer it.
Prepared by; Tygh Thompson -
Washington County Sheriff’s Office SEARCH AND RESCUE CERTIFICATION CRITERIA 1001 OBJECTIVES To
establish minimum standards and levels of training for ground Search and Rescue
personnel involved in field operations. Also,
to provide each Sheriff or County SAR Coordinator with a body of trained and
qualified searchers to accomplish the Search and Rescue mission.
(3)
Certified: Having successfully completed all testing and performance
objectives outlined in this document for field deployable SAR personnel. (4)
First Aid/CPR Card: The card issued after successful completion of a basic course
of instruction in the administration of First Aid and Cardio-Pulmonary
Resuscitation. The course should
meet or exceed standards set forth by the American Hearth Association, or the
American Red Cross. (5)
Performance Objective:
Exercises that measure an individual’s skill at performing specified tasks, or
to determine if the student has a certain body of knowledge. (6)
Search and Rescue
Coordinator (SAR Coordinator):
The Sheriff of the County where the search mission is being conducted or his
designee(s). Within the Incident
Command System (ICS) structure, the Incident Commander will typically be the SAR
Coordinator. (7)
Support Unit or Personnel: Units
or personnel that are never involved in field operations.
Examples of these units would be communications teams, food service
workers, and Chaplains. 1003 MINIMUM
STANDARDS To
obtain and maintain the (1)
Hold a valid First Aid/CPR card or higher certification such as
Wilderness First Responder, EMT or Paramedic. (2)
Successfully complete all performance objective skill tests and achieve a
minimum score of 80% on the written exam. (3)
SAR certification card signed by the Sheriff of the County where the
member’s SAR unit is based. (4)
Attend at least 30 hours of continuing education, approved by the Sheriff
or SAR Coordinator, each year, in a field related to search and rescue. 1004 PERFORMANCE
OBJECTIVE TESTS For
certification, each applicant must successfully complete all performance
objective skill tests. Performance
objective skill tests measure the applicants’ ability to execute a given task.
This test may be taken as many times as necessary to successfully
demonstrate the ability to accomplish the given task.
The applicants’ successful completion of a task should be marked on an
evaluation form as “demonstrated”. The
applicants’ failure to properly complete a given task should be marked as
“needs improvement” until the applicant can successfully complete said task.
1005 WRITTEN
EXAMINATION Each
applicant must pass a written exam with a minimum score of 80%.
The exam shall be administered by the Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator
for the county in which the applicant is applying for certification.
The exam must cover all areas listed in the standards, which require
testing, by written evaluation. It
is the responsibility of the Search Coordinator to prepare a written
examination, which will adequately measure the applicant’s knowledge. 1006 CERTIFICATION
CARD Each
successful applicant may be issued an identification Card signed by the Sheriff
or SAR Coordinator attesting to the completion of all requirements for
certification. The Sheriff or SAR
Coordinator for the County issuing the certification card may revoke a
certification card at his or her discretion or for failure to meet the
requirements for maintaining certification.
1007 ENFORCEMENT
OF STANDARDS The
Sheriff of each county, or SAR Coordinator, shall ensure implementation of the
minimum standards as set forth in Section 1003.
The Sheriff of each county, or SAR Coordinator, shall submit, to Oregon
Emergency Management an annual report which shall include a Search and Rescue
Organization Resource List (form F-1) including the names of all search and
rescue personnel certified by the Sheriff. This
report shall be submitted before January 30 of each year.
Throughout the year, the Sheriff or SAR Coordinator may certify
additional personnel, however, only one report is required per year.
In
addition to an ID card, each certified member may be issued an approved OSSA/OEM
Search and Rescue certification patch. This
patch will be worn on Search and Rescue clothing so as to be easily recognized. Each
Sheriff and SAR Coordinator of a County should attempt to use only personnel who
have successfully completed a training course that meets or exceeds the minimum
certification standards as outlined in section 1003. The
Sheriff or his/her designee may maintain a file containing completed Skill
Standards Tests and the results of the written exam.
Search and Rescue units shall also comply with all local, state and
federal ordinances, regulations and laws that govern their activities. 1008 ADDITIONAL
TRAINING In
addition to the minimum standards outlined here, some SAR units may need and
some Sheriffs may require SAR units operating in their county to possess
additional specialized training. SAR
units may need to meet certification standards for their specialty.
These specialty areas may include but are not limited to, mountain
rescue, water rescue, advanced man tracking, and ELT location.
Nothing listed in the minimum standards shall be construed so as to limit
or replace the certification requirements of any specialty unit. 1009 REVISION
OF STANDARDS Recommendations
for revision of these standards may be presented to the Search and Rescue
Coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) or the Search and Rescue (SAR)
Advisory Council of the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association.
The recommendations shall be reviewed and voted on by the Search and
Rescue Advisory Council and then presented to the Oregon State Sheriffs’
Association and Oregon Emergency Management for final resolution. MINIMUM STANDARDS LEGAL ISSUES
Through written evaluation the
applicant will demonstrate knowledge of the legal issues involved in to Search
and Rescue, to include: 1.
Who is responsible for and in charge of Search and Rescue operations in 2.
When a search area may be restricted and who may restrict the search
area. 3.
The elements of direct and vicarious liability.
4.
The elements of ORS chapter 401 that relate to Search & Rescue. 5.
When mechanized equipment can be used in a wilderness area. 6.
The limitations of the Good Samaritan law. EMERGENCY SURVIVAL
SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT
(Not
applicable to Support Units) Through written evaluation the applicant will
identify: 1.
What equipment must be carried and what clothing must be worn into the
field by the searchers for the type of Search and Rescue operations they are
involved with. 2.
What actions should be taken when a searcher becomes lost or injured. 3.
The minimum equipment needed for emergency pack/kit and describe its use.
4.
The three elements of fire.
5.
The body’s requirements for water in hot and cold environments.
6.
Three methods of water purification and their effectiveness.
Through
performance evaluation the applicant will demonstrate the ability to: 1.
Start a fire using materials found in the field and carried in their
pack. The fire must be constructed
in a manor that will provide personal warmth.
2.
Locate one natural fire starter and tinder. 3.
Gather enough wood to sustain the fire for one operational period. 4.
Use three emergency signaling methods.
5.
Build a shelter that is well marked and visible to nearby searchers,
durable enough to protect from wind, rain, or snow, using materials carried with
them and/or found in the field.
6.
Boil water over an open fire.
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
Through written
evaluation the applicant will identify:
1.
The difference between a frequency and a channel.
2.
The function of a repeater.
3.
The function and operation of a manual relay.
4.
The proper position of the antenna for best transmission and reception. 5.
The importance of keeping the battery warm during cold weather. The applicant will demonstrate the
ability to identify the following components on their Search and Rescue radio: 1.
On/Off and volume controls. 2.
Push to talk switch. 3.
Channel/frequency selector. 4.
Squelch control. The applicant will demonstrate the
ability to: 1.
Effectively communicate to another unit by radio using proper procedures
and radio codes. 2.
Change the radio’s batteries. 3.
Change radio channel or frequency. 4.
Turn the radio on.
5.
Select the proper channel.
6.
Hold the radio for best transmission and reception.
Through written evaluation, the
applicant will demonstrate: 1. A basic knowledge of radio wave performance and the effects
that terrain, distance, and structures have on Search and Rescue radio
communications. 2.
A basic knowledge of radio codes and procedures. 3.
A basic knowledge of inter-unit communications. LAND NAVIGATION
Through written evaluation, the
applicant will demonstrate the ability to: 1.
Identify the different types of maps used in SAR. 2.
Identify the three primary coordinate systems. 3.
Identify a location on a map using Township, Range, and Section. 4.
Identify a location on a map using Latitude and Longitude (degrees,
minutes, tenth of a minute). 5.
Identify a location on a map using UTM. 6.
Identify the difference between True and Magnetic north. 7.
Identify the relevance of Datum and coordinate systems. 8.
Identify the advantages and limitations of GPS. 9.
Identify the advantages of UTM. 10.
The definition of declination. 11.
Determine the elevation of a point on a map. 12.
The coordinate system most commonly used by aircraft and maritime
vessels. 13.
How to relay Latitude / Longitude coordinates (degrees, minutes,
tenth of a minute). 14.
Determine the contour interval on a map with out a margin. LAND
NAVIGATION CONTINUED (Not applicable to Support Units) Through
performance evaluation, the applicant will demonstrate the ability to: 1.
Orient a map, compensating for declination. 2.
Identify 10 common map symbols. 3.
Use a scale to measure distance on a map. 4.
Identify five elements of the legend on a topographic map. 5. Read
contour lines on a topographic map and identify their relationship to physical
objects on the ground. 6.
Identify the components of a compass. 7.
Plot a bearing on a map. 8. Given
a known bearing, travel in a straight line through wooded terrain for at least
¼ mile with no more than plus or minus 4 degrees deviation. 9.
Plot their location using a map and compass. 10.
Determine the bearing between two points and the back azimuth on a map. 11.
Adjust for declination. 12.
Follow a compass course of at least eight legs for a total distance of at
least 1 mile. 13.
Measure a given distance, using a known stride, while traveling uphill,
downhill, and on level terrain. 14.
Shoot a bearing. 15.
Take a bearing. 16.
Plot a UTM coordinate. 17.
Find a UTM coordinate. 18.
Determine the contour interval on a topographic map. 19.
Determine the bearing between two points on a map. 20.
Triangulate a position. 21.
The ability to return on a back azimuth. 22.
To navigate accurately around an obstacle blocking a path of travel. GPS
OPERATION
(Not
applicable to Support Units) Through performance evaluation,
the applicant will demonstrate the ability to: 1.
Accurately plot a UTM coordinate from a GPS receiver. 2.
Enter a waypoint in a GPS receiver. 3.
Edit a waypoint in a GPS receiver. 4.
View a waypoint in a GPS receiver. 5.
Change the batteries a GPS receiver. 6.
Change coordinate systems and datums with in a GPS unit. 7.
Turn on a GPS and acquire a coordinate that accurately represents
your location. 8.
Set their GPS for True North CRIME SCENE SECURITY
(Not
applicable to Support Units) Through written evaluation, the
applicant will identify: 1.
What to do when evidence of a crime or a deceased person is located. 2.
Techniques used to secure a crime scene. 3.
Who is allowed into a crime scene and who has control of the scene. 4.
When a searcher may pick up or disturb possible evidence. SEARCH
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
Through written evaluation the
applicant will identify: 1.
The ground team member’s location in ICS.
2.
The five functional sections of ICS.
3.
The function of the searcher briefing and debriefing.
4.
The function of check in and out procedures.
SEARCH TECHNIQUES
(Not
applicable to Support Units) Through written evaluation, the
applicant will identify: 1.
Knowledge of basic search safety and its importance in SAR. 2.
The elements of a sound sweep search.
3.
The elements of “Critical Separation”.
4.
The elements of Hasty search (type I).
5.
The elements of Open Grid search (type II).
6.
The elements of Closed Grid search (type III).
7.
Four passive & active search techniques (confinement, attraction,
track traps, road and trail blocks, camp in). 8.
The need to perform POD estimates at the team level. 9.
The advantages and disadvantages of searching at night.
10.
The definition of POA (probability of area).
11.
The definition of POD (probability of detection)
12.
The definition of IPP (initial planning point)
13.
The definition of LKP (last known position)
14.
The definition of PLS (point last seen)
15.
The importance of completing a task as it is assigned by the Incident
Command. 16.
When the searcher should seize evidence and when an investigator should
seize evidence. 17.
The elements of securing a crime scene.
18.
The reason why searchers look for clues as well as the subject.
19.
What to do when a clue is located.
20.
Elements of visual detection techniques. Through performance evaluation,
the applicant will demonstrate the ability to: 1.
To operate in a search team, while carrying a 24-hour pack, and remaining
clue aware, while employing the three primary search patterns (type I, II, III)
in an environment that is representative of the primary area of operation for
the team. 2.
To determine “Critical Separation” in at least two different
environments, i.e. wooded and open areas. 3.
Locate, preserve and document items of evidence in a crime scene search. MAN TRACKING (Not
applicable to Support Units) Through written evaluation the
applicant will identify: 1.
The elements of a track or print.
2.
The elements of sign.
3.
The elements of step-by-step tracking.
Through performance evaluation,
the applicant will demonstrate the ability to: 1.
Identify, mark, and preserve tracks and sign. 2.
Properly use a tracking stick.
3. Describe
or sketch a shoe print and describe the tread pattern, size and direction of
travel. 4.
Locate and identify color change, flattening, and shine left by a shoe
track. HELICOPTER SAFETY
(Not
applicable to Support Units) Through written evaluation, the
applicant will identify: 1.
Landing zone requirements and the information typically required by the
pilot. 2.
General helicopter safety. 3.
When and how to properly approach and depart a helicopter. WILDERNESS
MEDICINE
(Not
applicable to Support Units) Through
written evaluation the applicant will identify:
1.
The symptoms, treatment, and methods of prevention of Hypothermia.
2.
The symptoms, treatment, and methods of prevention of Frostbite.
3.
The five ways in which heat is transferred away from the body.
SEARCHER
SAFETY
(Not
applicable to Support Units) The
applicant will identify the elements of specialized hazards of a SAR mission:
1.
Common climatic hazards for the region that they typically operate.
2.
Forest fires.
3.
Hunters/poachers.
4.
Searching on private property.
5.
Drug production areas.
6.
Animals. RESCUE
TECHNIQUES
(Not
applicable to Support Units) Through performance evaluation,
the applicant will demonstrate the ability to: 1.
Properly assess a patient’s medical status, secure the patient into a
litter and transport the litter safely as a member of a litter team.
The litter team will transport the loaded litter over, under and around
obstacles for a minimum of ¼ mile.
CERTIFICATION
Reviewed
and dated by the appropriate representatives of the following listed parties.
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