Team Training
All SARQuest team members receive training in all areas involved in effective and cooperative search and rescue teams.
Team members are trained in Incident Command System, which is part of the National Incident Management System used by FEMA and most branches of the Federal Government. Having members trained in ICS and NIMS allows the team to efficiently partner with other government agencies for searches and disaster relief.
Team members are also trained to become a SARTech II as outlined by the National Association of Search And Recue (NASAR). This certification shows other agencies each team member’s capabilities. SARQuest does not require certification, but it is recommended. All team members will be trained in search fundamentals and will be able to pass the SARTech II before being deemed field ready.
The basic requirements for all active members of SARQuest are as follows:
- Land Navigation
- Ability to locate self on Map
- Ability to use a Compass
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- Includes directions and distances
- Ability to use Map and Compass together
- Ability to use a GPS reciever
- Communications
- Ability to use two-way radio
- Ability to communicate position
- Clue Awareness
- Ability to detect foreign objects in surrounding
- Tracking
- Ability to detect footprints
- Ability to distinguish footprints
- Ability to follow given footprint
- Knots
- Ability to tie a common set of knots
- Ability to tie a Swiss Seat Harness
- First Aid
- Basic First-Aid skills
- CPR certifications
- Blood borne Pathogens
- Incident Command System
- ICS-100
- ICS-200
- ICS-300
- ICS-400
- ICS-700
These training requirements will be met by attending practices, meetings, and training sessions and seminars. SARQuest will make every opportunity available for members to achieve field ready status as long as the team members are willing and able to. These are only the basic requirements and more certifications and experience is desirable. These requirements also do not include training for dog/handler teams. Training information for dog/handler teams is found on the dog training page.
Other Training Offered
Every year SARQuest sends some team members to the Annual National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Conference. This allows team members to learn the newest and most up to date training tactics, while maintaining contacts with search and rescue teams across the nation.
Interested in Joining SARQuest?
All SARQuest members are volunteers. Some members work with canines, but not all members. On an actual search for every canine there would have to be at minimum four team members flanking the canine, including the canine handler. So any help is needed for the team. SARQuest generally trains once a week and members are expected to attend as many training sessions as possible, with and without canines. Check the calendar for dates and times to come out.