Prospective Member Information Prospective Member Information Who are we How we are organized as units Expectations for equipment Expectations for Training Expectations for missions How do you join SCVSAR ID: 751723
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Slide1
Snohomish County Volunteer Search & Rescue
Prospective Member InformationSlide2
Prospective Member Information
Who are we?How we are organized as units
Expectations for equipment
Expectations for Training
Expectations for missions
How do you join SCVSAR?
Other sources of informationSlide3
Who we are…
Search & Rescue volunteers are on call 24-hours/365 days per year
Volunteers commit time, energy & backcountry expertise to helping others in our community whenever and wherever needed.
Missing or injured hikers/climbers, river rescue, walk-
aways
(children or elderly), evidence search, remote aircraft or vehicle accidents, and more.
Terrain includes city, forest, rivers, rock, snow/ice – all of Snohomish County!
Search & Rescue is the legal responsibility of the Sheriff’s Department and volunteers assist the Sheriff’s Department with SAR obligations
Participation is voluntary and time commitment can be moderate or substantial depending on member’s interest.Slide4
How we are organized as units…
The Alderwood, Marysville & Snohomish Units are for most people, they do most of the searching and rescuing in urban and wilderness terrain. Members are generally divided by geographical area based on location of residence, but selection of unit is up to the applicant.
The Everett Mountain Rescue Unit is for experienced technical mountaineers.
The Explorer SAR Unit is for volunteers ages 14-17 and their advisors.
The Operations Support Unit is for folks who want to help with the Command Post, Food Truck and other less physically demanding but important activities.
The Sherriff's Office Unit is restricted to people invited by the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
Visitors/prospective applicants are welcome to attend any of the County or Unit general meetings (you
must
be a member to attend training).
Our Headquarters are located at Taylor’s Landing, 5506 Old Machias Road, Snohomish, WA 98290.
See our
webpage
for meeting location, date & times.Slide5
Expectations for equipment…
Rescue equipment is provided by Snohomish County Volunteer Search And Rescue (SCVSAR)
The rescue equipment is stored and transported in Search & Rescue vehicles
We send alerts out via
GroupMe
, text message and email
Members are responsible to provide a method to receive alerts – most members use smartphones or pagers
Members are responsible for personal equipment!
Lug-soled boots, pack, appropriate clothing, raingear, shelter, food, personal safety, etc.
Specialized equipment not immediately necessary
Minimum equipment must be checked
prior
to a new member being authorized to respond to missions (a minimum equipment list available on the website)
As you gain SAR experience, you may decide to purchase specialized gear for technical missionsSlide6
Expectations for training…
Training is provided for basic and advanced skills
Mandatory training
Have or get a current CPR/AED and First Aid certification
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
IS-100.b
and NIMS
IS-700.a
(self study)
Maintain current Washington State (WAC) training standards, our “Core Competencies”
Helicopter safety, personal safety, wilderness survival, navigation, etc.
County training
Initial training in core SAR skills must be completed within two years, this generally takes 60 hours
After initial training is complete, minimum refresher training takes roughly 10 hours a year
Advanced skills training is available through our Special Operations Group
Check website calendar for events and details
(SCVSAR Calendar)Slide7
Expectations for missions…
SCVSAR Vehicles generally leave 20 to 30 minutes after a page-out
Have your gear packed & ready to respond to SAR vehicles quickly and safely
Know several routes to our vehicles & ensure you coordinate your ETA with your Unit
If responding, expect to be out on a mission for at least 18 hours
Always respond with personal equipment in preparation to spend the night out, but carry into the field only what is required for team assignment
Be familiar with your equipment so you can quickly adapt to assignments
Always carry minimum essentials such as food, water, appropriate clothing, etc.
Team assignments are based on required skills, equipment & background
New members are assigned tasks based on their skills and experience
No one is put in a situation for which they are not prepared
You need to inform the team leader of your wilderness and snow travel status according to your training recordsSlide8
How do you join SCVSAR?
Attend a unit meeting, where you will complete the first steps of the following process:
Complete a DEM Emergency Worker Registration form for the Unit you prefer to join
Provide a photocopy of your Washington State Drivers License or equivalent state/federal ID
Complete a Personal Release Waiver and Emergency Notification Form
Provide certificates noting successful completion of NIMS IS-100b and NIMS IS-700a
Receive a favorable Background Check, performed by the Snohomish County Sheriff Department
Once the above is completed…
Receive a New Member Orientation briefing from your Unit
Vehicle orientation (location, equipment & procedures)
SCVSAR (Unit) training manual & SCVSAR member directories
Member ID and Password to access our restricted website
Sign up for SCVSAR Rave Alert, our emergency messaging and notification system
Participate in training (some have pre-requisites)
Before deploying on a mission, members must inform the team leader of your completed training statusSlide9
Other sources of information…
County and Unit meetings are open to the public
SCVSAR website:
https://scvsar.org
SCVSAR calendar
, showing meetings and training events(dates, time & location)
Many other useful SAR-related links, information, news reports, stories and photos
Mentor
If interested, request mentor contact information (highly recommended)
For more information, contact us at
info@scvsar.org