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SEARCH TEAM MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP: HOW TO SEARCH AND HOW TO LEAD A SEARCH TEAM
Developed by Rick LaValla, Richard Smith, Rick Hood, Tony Jones Chris Long, Dave Perkins, and Pete Roberts.
(a 2 or 3 day course)
Searching is the primary activity in search and rescue (SAR) in that a missing person has to be found before a rescue may be carried out. Not uncommonly, searching is time consuming and may be boring and frustrating. High quality searching requires a variety of skills beyond the basic ones needed for effective work in the environment being searched. Attainment of these skills can reduce frustration and make the act of searching more meaningful.
Search success is dependent upon a combination of search field skills, search field leadership and search planning. The totality of a search requires that all parts are carried out properly for the benefit of the missing person and the satisfaction of all those involved in the operation.
This Course and workbook is concerned with Search Field Skills – “How to Search”. It is not concerned with management and planning which are properly left to other courses. The skills being considered include:
1. Skills for the individual – these are the skills needed in order to be able to perform effectively as a member of a search party. They include Techniques of Observation, Terrain Analysis in the Field, Field Sketching and recording what has been seen and found.
2. Search Team Leader skills – these are the skills needed in order to be able to perform as a leader of a search team. They include the individual skills outlined above plus leadership skills. Understanding the "Six Step Process" is desirable as is an appreciation of how the style of searching relates to the current phase on the operation.
Leadership is required at all levels in the process of bringing a search to a satisfactory conclusion. The format of this course must be considered as “Work in Progress” and further developments are to be expected in the not too distant future. It would seem that, over the past 25 years or so, much effort has been expended on search management and, latterly, search planning. Search Field Skills have been largely neglected or given relatively little attention. This Course attempts to consider the skills that impact on “How to Search” and the levels of leadership necessary to ensure that the quality of field work is enhanced.
Course Objectives:
•Development of ideas; sharing of information.
•Define terms and concepts.
•Identify Search Team (Party) Leader competencies.
•Applying the practically of leadership.
•Identify individual searcher skills (how to look).
•Identify Team Leader decision making process and tools.
•How to select Team Leaders – Benchmarks.
Course Content: Team Leader Job, Duties, Responsibilities; Search Tactics; Search Skills (Quality Assurance of Searching); Investigative Skills; Documentation Skills; Communication Skills; Evidence Recognition, Protection Skills; Brief and Debrief Skills; Team Leader Decision Making: Use of The “Six Steps”; Search Team Leaders Roles and Responsibilities While Executing Type 1, 2, 3, Or 4 Techniques; Monitoring Well-Being of Team Members Skills; Leadership Skills; Tactical Decision Games-Scenarios and Use of The Six Step Process.
For more information contact Rick@SearchAndRescueTraining.com
NEW!
Initial Response Notebook
Developed by Hugh Dougher for police, deputies, firefighters, rangers, searchers and others who respond to reports of missing persons.
More Info Here-
Upcoming Courses
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August 14-15, 2010
- Kemmerer, Wyoming
Basic SAR Skills
Sponsor: Lincoln Co. SAR
Contact: Rick -
August 21, 2010
- Evanston, Wyoming
SMS Practicum (New Course)
Sponsor: Unita SAR
Contact: Rick -
August 20-22, 2010
- Crescent City, CA
Search Management Systems (SMS)
Sponsor: Del Norte County Sheriffs Office SAR Team
Contact: Barney -
September 24-26, 2010
- Bend, OR
Search Management Systems (SMS)
SMS Practicum
Sponsor: Deschutes Sheriff's Office
Contact: Al Hornish
CLASS FULL November 5-7, 2010
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
Search Management Systems (SMS)
Sponsor: New Mexico State Police
Contact: Rick - More Courses
Would you like to host a course?
We have had a number of inquires about attending courses outside their own area. If you are tentative about hosting a course because of not thinking you could fill one, please contact Rick@SearchAndRescueTraining.com and he will send out email to a number of folks that are looking for courses to attend. We have had inquires from most states and even Africa wanting to attend courses. By attracting outside participation course cost can also be reduced.
News
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Plan for the 2010 spring and summer. Get the dates you want, that will best meet YOUR schedule. Rick at Search and Rescue Training is available to work with you on dates, course cost etc.
For planning purposes, typical cost for the “Search Management Systems (SMS)” workshop, updated June 2009, is approximately $130.00 per student plus a $40.00 charge for the a 300 page SMS workbook. Cost includes all instructor travel, fees etc. Training will be advertised on this website if your wish course to personnel outside of your area.
Cost for the New “SMS Practicum” 8 hour course is fixed at of $650.00 per class; includes Field Handbook and all handouts plus instructor expenses – transportation, motel, food etc., to and from class location. Training will be advertised on this website if your wish course to personnel outside of your area.
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“Really enjoyed the class. I've been telling the SAR coordinator that MSO was a good class but something was missing. This seminar fills that gap nicely.”
“The planning process works! Once we get people trained under this new system things will run much smoother.”
” Just a note to say I enjoyed the class. The course was outstanding and it brought out the true sense of the "real" searches.”
For More Information Contact
Goodman & Associates
9519 Admiral Dewey Ave. NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111
505 238-8669
Rick@SearchAndRescueTraining.com
