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SAR Program Overview • Ground Search and Rescue College • SAR Course Descriptions • Equipment • News • Affiliated SAR Organizations
A GSAR offers four separate SAR courses at one training event at the same time. A GSAR will consist of: Field Team Member (FTM), Field Team Leader (FTL), Field Team Signcutting (FTS) and either Managing Land Search Operations (MLSO) or Practical Search Operations (PSO). A GSAR is presented over two weekends, typically held 3 or 4 weeks apart. Students may only register for 1 course per GSAR, as it will take both weekends to complete each course. The unique learning experience of a GSAR is enhanced by a large-scale, mock mission held on Saturday night of the second weekend. The GSAR creates a life-long experience for the students as they forge new relationships with other SAR responders from all across the Commonwealth.
Prerequisite: Per each individual course.
Field level search and rescue training offered by the VDEM Search and Rescue Program Office leads to individual certification upon successful completion of the course. These courses are intended for those individuals who participate with an affiliated organization as part of a planned response to a search and rescue incident. Typical student make-up of these classes would include those individuals from; police, fire-rescue, EMS, and volunteer search and rescue groups.
Entry-level field training designed to introduce the field responder to standardized practices for a search and rescue response. Course content includes an overview of the state system, legal concerns, SAR operations, search strategy & tactics, personal preparedness, wilderness survival, land navigation, and basic wilderness rescue. The FTM course consists of approx. 60% classroom and 40% field instruction. Field work is held regardless of current weather conditions unless extreme conditions present personal safety concerns. Successful completion prepares the student to adequately function as a Field Team Member under the direct supervision of a trained Field Team Leader. The FTM certification is valid for a period of 3 years.
Prerequisites:
View the Field Team Member Equipment List
Intermediate-level training in search team management, implementation of search tactics, supervision of team performance, proper use of semi-technical rescue equipment, and evacuation management. The FTL course consists of approx. 60% classroom and 40% field instruction. Field work is held regardless of current weather conditions unless extreme conditions present personal safety concerns. Successful completion prepares the student to adequately function as a Field Team Leader under the indirect supervision of the Operations Section Chief. The FTL certification is valid for a period of 3 years.
Prerequisites:
View the Field Team Leader Equipment List
Designed as an introductory course focused on the fundamental principles of clue awareness, the FTS course delves into the ancient art of Mantracking. Course content includes the identification and interpretation of sign, track team tactics, and the appropriate deployment of signcutting skills within the SAR environment. The FTS course consists of 40% classroom and 60% field instruction. Field work is held regardless of current weather conditions unless extreme conditions present personal safety concerns. Successful completion prepares the student to adequately function as a Field Team Signcutter under the direct supervision of a trained Field Team Leader. The FTS certification is valid for a period of 3 years.
Prerequisites:
View the Field Team Signcutter Equipment List
Management level search and rescue training offered through the VDEM provides a series of in-depth studies focused on the philosophy, science and theory of managing the missing person search. These courses are intended for experienced, lead individuals who will be responsible for the planning, execution, and overall direction of a missing person search.
MLSO is an advanced management-level course that presents the core of search philosophy, theory, and statistical probabilities. MLSO is designed for experienced SAR practitioners who are transitioning to management functions as well as senior law enforcement personnel who are responsible for the response and investigation of missing persons. Emergency managers and other public safety personnel who take an active role in the management of SAR incidents are also invited to participate. All course work is done in a classroom environment.
Prerequisites:
Practical, hands-on management course for search managers and management staff. PSO addresses the actual functions of managing a search operation under the Incident Command System (ICS) in a step-by-step approach. Organizing the staff, planning, operations, information management and documentation are presented in discussion and tabletop exercises. All course work is done in a classroom environment.
Prerequisites:
ICG is an advanced management course for experienced search management personnel. It goes beyond theoretical MLSO training and prepares the student to manage complex type II (multi-agency) searches as General Staff members or as a Type III Incident Commander. Subjects include ICS, SAR operations and tactics, resource management, SAR legal documents, IC roles and responsibilities, ground aspects of aircraft searches, command staff, and plans. The course makes extensive use of map problems, practical exercises, simulations, handouts and lectures.
Prerequisites:
Jointly operated by the United States Coast Guard and the United States Air Force, this 5-day Inland SAR Planning course is a comprehensive, “graduate-level” look at inland search theory and its application to land and air searches for missing persons and aircraft with a focus on wilderness, not urban, searches.
The course consists of classroom lessons and practical, tabletop exercises. Emphasis is on the planning necessary for effective area-type searching during an extended search using Probability of Success (POS) to predictively allocate limited resources to their best effect. Additional topics include pre-plan development, legal aspects, NIIMS ICS applied to SAR, the federal role in SAR, and other related subjects.
The course is directed toward search managers in federal, state, and local emergency services and law enforcement, as well as Civil Air Patrol, international, and volunteer SAR agencies -- those few people who are responsible for the planning and overall conduct of inland search missions. The target audience includes on-scene incident commanders and their planners, operations leaders, and up-channel reporting chain.
Prerequisites:
The VDEM Search and Rescue Office provides or arranges additional training and presentations either by request, or as dictated by need.
This course is designed for law enforcement and emergency services personnel who are the first responders to a search and rescue incident. The intent of the course is to provide enough tools to adequately evaluate an incident and to take appropriate initial actions. The basics of search planning and tactical operations are presented. Specialized resources and their appropriate use are discussed. SAR First Responder is normally provided upon request of a local jurisdiction, well in advance.
Preventative search and rescue training for young children starts at the preschool level. The course describes how to keep from getting lost and what to do if lost. It has proven to be a life saver in numerous documented cases, nationwide. “Lost But Found” can be presented within the school system or to private groups. Upon request, presentations are normally provided by the nearest volunteer search and rescue group to the hosting organization.
SAR seminars for law enforcement is a conference style, one day event that is designed to educate and inform the agency senior personnel who are responsible for the investigation of missing persons. The seminar is focused on the relationship between law enforcement and search operations, as well as legal liability issues and appropriate use of SAR resources. Seminars are normally hosted by a local jurisdiction providing classroom facilities, and without cost to the participating agencies.
Various workshops are offered on an infrequent basis depending upon the needs of the SAR community and available funding to support the training. Specific course information will be posted when workshops are scheduled.