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FAQs |
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COOS COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE, INC. Question Most Often Asked About Coos County Search and Rescue What is Search and Rescue? Search and Rescue is described as the searching for or rescue of any person(s) who become lost, injured or killed in the outdoors or as a result of natural or man-caused disaster. What is Coos County Search and Rescue all about? Coos County Search and Rescue, Inc. (CCSAR) is an all volunteer, non-profit (501C3) organization. It is organized for educational and charitable purposes to promote and foster the growth of community service and to assist the Sheriff, Civil Defense, FEMA and any other bona fide law enforcement agency upon request. What else does CCSAR do? Some of our activities include: searching for lost persons, evidence searches, crime scene security and assisting the Sheriff and ODNRA with Dunes Patrol (on foot and on ATV’s) and help out in other community activities. Can anyone join? No. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and be of good character. CCSAR looks for individuals with a positive, can-do attitude and with the willingness to complete the required training and the commitment to build on those skills with continual learning. What sort of training is required? Members must be certified in CPR and First Aid and be Search and Rescue certified by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association (OSSA). The Search and Rescue Certification is obtained through a course of study and passing a final examination. Upon completion of the course and passing the final examination, obtaining CPR and First Aid certification, successfully completing a 24-hour solo survival drill AND show your competency in all of the above, you will be awarded OSSA certification. To ride ATV’s for a CCSAR function, you must also be ATV certified. Ordinarily as a member you may attend all CCSAR functions prior to certification, but must be certified to participate in an actual search. What if I get hurt during training? While on OFFICIAL CCSAR business, during CCSAR sanctioned training and when called out by the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, you are covered by Coos County accident insurance. Any participating members under age 18 MUST have a participation waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Non-members participating in CCSAR activities ARE NOT covered by Coos County Insurance. What subjects will I be studying? You will study maps, compass, search patterns and techniques, tracking, survival, rope skills, radio communication, crime scene security, subject evaluation and rappelling (optional) just to mention a few. To be CCSAR certified you must meet the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association training requirements and meet all the CCSAR, Inc. requirements. When and where are CCSAR meetings held? Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 7
p.m. The meetings are currently being held in the Spruce Room (next to
cafeteria) in the Bay Area Hospital How do I join CCSAR, Inc.? Applications are available at the Coos County Sheriff’s Office or at one of the monthly meetings. A request for an application may also be sent to CCSAR, Inc., P.O. Box 906, Coos Bay, OR 97420. The application will be processed for character references by the CCSAR Board and then forwarded to the Sheriff’s Office for a background check. After successfully completing that step and having attended three consecutive meetings, you will be voted in for admission to CCSAR by the general membership at your third meeting. I’d like to help but I’m not as young as I used to be…I’m afraid romping through the woods is out. Can I still be a member? Absolutely. CCSAR is always in need of support personnel. With age comes wisdom, responsibility and accountability. There are a variety of Base Camp and administrative duties to be performed such as radio communications, incident logging, vehicle and equipment security and much more. Planning, organizing and supporting searches or trainings are equally as important to our operations as actually doing them. I have an employer who won’t let me off work to help in a search. Will this affect my membership? Not in the least if you continue to meet all CCSAR, Inc. requirements. In fact most of us are in the same situation. In an emergency search, the Sheriff will put as many qualified searchers as possible into the area as fast as possible as a quick response team. As other members get to the scene (when they can), they are assigned to relieve tired searchers or search new areas. No one is expected to jeopardize his or her family or job. You ARE required to attend two monthly meetings in each quarter or provide a reasonable excuse prior to the meeting AND follow the CCSAR, Inc. by-laws and SOPs. Do you accept donations? Certainly. Any contribution may be sent to CCSAR, Inc., P.O. Box 906, Coos Bay, OR 97420. You may deduct your contribution on your tax forms, as we are a 501C3 non-profit organization. Our tax number is available upon request to those giving large donations. The thought of riding an ATV terrifies me. Is it required? All of our activities are voluntary. You will NEVER be asked to do something you are uncomfortable doing. How much is this going to cost me? Membership dues are $12.00 annually. You must pay for your own transportation. As far as personal equipment, there is a required list. To start with, you need the proper all- weather gear and clothing. Other needed and desired items may be purchased a little at a time. Note however, to be officially involved you must be adequately equipped to survive on your own in any situation with the minimal 24-hour OSSA required backpack. How can I get an answer to a question not addressed here? Call 269-7384, 756-4998, or the Coos County Sheriff’s Office at 756-2020 ext. 371.
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