Search and Rescue Training Program

General Knowledge

General Knowledge search and rescue training offered by the VDEM Search and Rescue Program provides a basic understanding of the Search and Rescue mission process, describes introductory skill concepts and serve as building blocks for Field and Management level training.  These courses are intended for those individuals who wish to obtain a fundamental knowledge of Search and Rescue mission etiquette and members of affiliated SAR organizations who would like to supplement their training.

S031 – Introduction to Search and Rescue (8 Hours)

This course is designed for public safety agencies who would be the first responders to a search and rescue incident.  The intent of this course is to provide enough tools to adequately evaluate an incident and to take appropriate initial actions.  The course will cover topics in resources, initial actions, search operations, Lost Person Behavior, search management, and integration with state resources.

Field Level Training

Field level search and rescue training offered through the VDEM Search and Rescue Program can lead to individual certification upon successful completion of the course and existing co-requisites.  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.  The target audience are those persons who belong to the VDEM volunteer search and rescue groups.

S043 – Crime Scene Preservation (16 Hours)

This class offers an overview of crime scene preservation for VDEM’s search and rescue volunteers.  Scene preservation, types of evidence, chain of custody, proper procedures to follow, training logs, and post search incident reports are discussed.

S131 – Search and Rescue Field Skills for First Responders (16 Hours)

This course will cover field oriented skills for members of public safety agencies to optimize the effectiveness of searchers during the initial phases of a missing person search. The course will cover topics in resources, initial actions, search operations, Lost Person Behavior, land navigation, clue awareness, patient packaging, stretcher handling, and integration with state resources.  Participants should be dressed and prepared to work in the field for portions of the course.

S171 – Search and Rescue Tracking Skills for First Responders (16 Hours)

This course provides search and rescue training for members of locality search and rescue teams interested in learning the basics of man-tracking and initial actions to deploy during a missing person event.

S191 – Orientation to Cave Rescue (20 Hours)

The Orientation to Cave Rescue is an intensive two-day introduction to the science and management of cave rescue operations. Led by a team of highly qualified instructors, the techniques and skills you will learn from this seminar may be directly applied to cave rescue scenarios across the western states. Day 1 will include class sessions and exercises designed to teach a wide range of concepts and skills unique to cave rescue. Day 2 will deliver an underground mock rescue and debriefing custom-designed by the instructors to test and challenge your new skills.

Search and Rescue Academy (40 Hours)

A Search and Rescue Academy offers four separate SAR courses simultaneously, over a period of two weekends.  These courses include:  Search and Rescue Team Operations, Search and Rescue Management Team Operations, Foundations of Awareness, Signcutting and Tracking (F.A.S.T) and Search and Rescue Team Leadership.  Students may register for only one course per SAR Academy, as it will take both weekends to complete each class.  The SAR Academy courses are designed to support both field level training and management level training.

S231 – Search and Rescue Team Operations (40 Hours)

This entry-level field training course is designed to introduce the field responder to standardized practices for a search and rescue response.  Successful completion of this course is required to attend the additional SAR Academy courses: SAR Management Team Operations, F.A.S.T. and SAR Team Leadership.  The Search and Rescue Team Operations course consists of approximately 60% classroom and 40% field instruction.  Fieldwork is held regardless of weather conditions unless extreme conditions present safety concerns.  Once the existing co-requisites are completed, the Search and Rescue Team Member certification is valid for a period of 3 years.

Prerequisites:

• Minimum age: 18
• Affiliation with SAR Organization
• It is recommended that you complete the following National Incident Management System (NIMS) training from the Emergency Management Institute Independent Study Courses prior to class: IS100, IS700 and IS800.
• Physical Ability and Conditioning:Search and Rescue is hard, physically demanding work.  Prospective students to the field classes must be capable of navigating various terrain and dense vegetation, during both daytime and nighttime operations, in all types of weather, for several hours, while carrying various personal gear and team equipment that may weigh up to 40lbs.  During rescue operations SAR personnel will assist in the carry-out of a patient as part of a rotating 6-person team.  The litter with patient package may weigh up to 300lbs.  If you are not physically capable of such strenuous activity, please do not sign-up for this class.

S271 – Foundations of Awareness, Signcutting and Tracking (40 Hours)

The F.A.S.T. class is designed as an introductory course focused on the fundamental principles of tracking and clue awareness, the FAST course delves into the ancient art of visual tracking.  Course content includes the detection, interpretation, recording and trailing of sign, track team tactics, and the appropriate deployment of signcutting skills within the SAR environment.  The FAST course consists of 50% classroom and 50% field instruction.  Fieldwork is held regardless of weather conditions unless extreme conditions present safety concerns.  You will receive a certificate of completion for the class.

Prerequisites:

• Minimum age: 18
• S231 – SAR Team Operations
• Current certification as a Search Team Member

• Affiliation with a SAR Organization
• Physical Ability and Conditioning: Search and Rescue is hard, physically demanding work.  Prospective students to the field classes must be capable of navigating various terrain and dense vegetation, during both daytime and nighttime operations, in all types of weather, for several hours, while carrying various personal gear and team equipment that may weigh up to 40lbs.  During rescue operations SAR personnel will assist in the carry-out of a patient as part of a rotating 6-person team.  The litter with patient package may weigh up to 300lbs.  If you are not physically capable of such strenuous activity, please do not sign-up for this class.

S331 – Search and Rescue Team Leadership (40 Hours)

This course provides 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 STL course consists of approximately 40% classroom and 60% field instruction.  Fieldwork is held regardless of weather conditions unless extreme conditions present safety concerns.  Once the existing co-requisites are completed, the Search and Rescue Team Leader certification is valid for a period of 3 years.

Prerequisites:

• Minimum age: 18
• S231 – SAR Team Operations
• Current certification as a Search Team Member for 1+ year(s)
• Affiliation with SAR Organization
• It is recommended that you complete the following National Incident Management System (NIMS) training from Emergency Management Institute Independent Study Courses prior to class.
  • IS-200
• Physical Ability and Conditioning: Search and Rescue is hard, physically demanding work.  Prospective students to the field classes must be capable of navigating various terrain and dense vegetation, during both daytime and nighttime operations, in all types of weather, for several hours, while carrying various personal gear and team equipment that may weigh up to 40lbs. During rescue operations SAR personnel will assist in the carry-out of a patient as part of a rotating 6-person team.  The litter with patient package may weigh up to 300lbs.  If you are not physically capable of such strenuous activity, please do not sign-up for this class.

S371 – Advanced Human Tracking (24 Hours)

This is a Natural Awareness Tracking School (NATS) course sponsored by the VDEM SAR Program. This course will bring together most tracking skill sets applied during a search mission for a missing person. Participants will get hands-on experience while practicing techniques of tracking humans that cannot be learned from reading a book or in a classroom.  This will not be a beginning level tracking class – registrants are required to have prior basic SAR and tracking training. Students should be prepared to be outside on all three days of the course, bring tracking tools (e.g. track markers, tape measure, field book, flashlights, etc) and a computer (if possible) to create a report of the final tracking mission.

Prerequisites:

• Search Team Member Certification
• Foundations of Awareness, Signcutting and Tracking Certificate (or similar training)

Management Level Training

Management level search and rescue training offered through the VDEM Search and Rescue Program 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 individuals who will be responsible for the planning, execution, and overall direction of a missing person search.

S041 – Lost Person Behavior (16 Hours)

This course will present the most recent advances in lost person behavior, the latest research, new models of behavior, and several new behavioral modes.  Developed by Robert Koester, an international leader in search and rescue research, the participants will go into details of actual search missions and the profiles for different groups.  From abduction to lost workers, a total of 41 different subject categories now exist.  Participants will learn how to separate fact from legend, use data that is applicable to their unique region, receive a rapid introduction to key points of each profile, and most importantly, learn where to send search teams.  This 16 hour course is for anyone who is involved in the planning and strategy of Search and Rescue resources deployment.

S042 – SAR Mapping Software Workshop (16 Hours)

This course provides an overview of mapping programs and other tools which can be utilized during Search and Rescue Missions.  Terrain Navigator, Google Earth and SARTopo are a few of the software programs discussed.  Additional topics include the creation of maps for use during search missions.  This 16 hour course is designed for search and rescue responders or public safety personnel who may have a need to electronically produce, or work with, maps in search and rescue.

S141 – Search and Rescue Management Skills for First Responders (16 Hours)

This course focuses on management skills for public safety agencies to optimize the effectiveness of searchers during the initial phases of a mission person incident.  This class is particularly beneficial for members of the command staff and field supervisors that will be providing direction at the scene of a search incident.

S241 – Search and Rescue Management Team Operations (40 Hours)

The Search and Rescue Management Team Operations course is designed as the introduction to the management process for Search and Rescue incidents. Students will be introduced to the processes involved in managing a search mission and will learn the process to accomplish the goals set forth by the Incident Action Plan.

The Management Team Operations course consists of almost entirely classroom instruction.  Once the existing co-requisites are completed, the Management Team Operations certification is valid for a period of 3 years.

Prerequisites:

• Minimum age: 18
• Affiliation with SAR Organization
• S231 – SAR Team Operations
• Search Team Member (volunteer SAR groups only)
• S141 – Search and Rescue Management Skills for the First Responder (Law Enforcement/Fire/Rescue/EMS only)
• Must be proficient with map skills
• It is recommended that you complete the following National Incident Management System (NIMS) training from Emergency Management Institute Independent Study Courses prior to class.
  • IS-200

S341 – Search and Rescue Management Team Leadership (40 Hours)

Under Curriculum Review