Travis County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) is a volunteer organization, but our mission requires a high degree of professionalism.
Mission Deployment is the primary goal, which must be supplemented by training, in order to maintain preparedness. Members maintain mission-ready status through a strong commitment to continual training in:
- wilderness navigation
- swiftwater awareness
- FEMA command structure
- search strategy
- rope awareness & use
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- crime scene preservation
- communication protocols
- CPR & First Aid
- search management
- light disaster operations
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Additionally some members train their own dogs to be search K-9s for the team. Although most searches use search dogs, we depend on the expertise of all team members.
You must be very comfortable in the outdoors to be a mission-ready member of TCSAR. Training and searches often take place in rough terrain, bad weather and at night.
Although you are not expected to respond to every search call-out, you will be on call 24/7.
You will be asked to attempt to make arrangements with your employer, etc. to be able to respond as requested. Our primary mission is to respond to lost person emergencies. Of course, all our team members have other commitments like job and family, and these are respected.
COST OF VOLUNTEERING
Since we are a non-profit organization and rely totally on donations and fundraisers, each individual is responsible for most of the costs of training, outfitting, etc. We do have minimum required trainings and some team-sponsored trainings. Most required training is provided by the Team at minimal or no cost and TCSAR tries to subsidize any required training provided by outside instructors.
However, members are responsible for obtaining additional training as needed and the gear required to perform the search and rescue role.
For example,
- A Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (FUNSAR) course, will cost you about $150. This is a two weekend course that will prepare you for SAR Tech II certification (highly recommended for mission-ready status). CPR and Wilderness First Aid costs $20 - $60 each.
- Gear such as pagers, maps, team uniforms, backpacks, GPS units, flashlights, FRS radios, compasses, dog search vests, etc. are the responsibility of the individual team member as well.
- Pagers are required as this is how we page-out for call-outs. Cost is about $25/quarter. Access to the internet is also required as we conduct a large portion of our notifications regarding trainings, etc. via email.
- Dues are paid annually to TCSAR and are currently $60 per member.
TRAINING SCHEDULE
- Mission-ready members are required to attend 50% of all training at a minimum.
- Every Thursday: K9 Practice – 7pm to 10pm.
Required for K9 handlers only, but non-K9 handlers are encouraged to attend;
- One evening per month 7-11pm: search mini–drill;
- Four weekends per year: intense training module
(full Saturday and Sunday, some Friday evenings)
One night per year: All-night drill;
One day per year: All-day drill;
Plus other training events as needed or available.
NEW MEMBER GUIDELINES
In general, new members are subject to a three (3) month probationary period. During this time, the new member will be responsible for completing the following and failure to do so may result in removal from the team. At the end of the probationary period, the Board will vote on the status of the new member consisting of acceptance as an active member, continuing the probationary period or removal from the team. If a person is removed from the team, dues will not be refunded.
NEW MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Pay dues within 30 days of acceptance to the team;
2. Complete the OFFICIAL SAR Tech III exam which can be found at http://www.nasar.org web site. ($70.00) A copy of the certificate must be given to the secretary for filing. - One may complete the SAR Tech II in place of the Official SAR Tech III
3. Complete the following three FEMA courses on the FEMA web site: http://www.training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/crslist.asp (no cost). A copy of the certificates must be given to the secretary for filing.
IS100 – Introduction to Incident Command System
IS200 – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Accident Incidents
IS700 – National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction.
4. Read the TCSAR Orientation Document and complete and pass the test located at the end of the document (no cost);
5. Continue participation in trainings, mini-drills, team meetings and K9 practices, as appropriate.
All members are urged to complete the NASAR SAR Tech II test. This is a 2 day test that one prepares for in FUNSAR (discussed above). This is usually offered in Austin, Houston, or Dallas annually.
Once a new member is placed on active status, that member will be eligible to purchase team shirts, car magnets and be given pager privileges that will enable them to respond to a callout. At that time he/she will be given two team patches and a member ID tag.
Operational status is at the discretion of the Chief of Operations based upon training and experience of the new member.
Prospective K-9's
Training a search dog usually takes about 2 years worth of training at a frequency of several times per week. TCSAR has dogs certified in both live air scent and cadaver/HRD search. We have several dogs currently in training. All K9 handlers are also "ground pounders" and there may be times when the dogs are not used but all personnel are still expected to assist where needed.
If you are interested in training your dog, you must:
- First attend three K-9 practices WITHOUT your dog.
Following these few practices, please submit your application and fee as soon as possible, in order that we may begin your Application / Interview process.
- In order for a K-9 to be admitted to the team it must first undergo a Behavioral / Aggression Screening by the TCSAR K-9 Team Leader. K9’s are accepted / denied 'membership' to the team separately from the person - a person may be accepted, but the K-9 not. This screening will not be conducted until your application and fee has been received and you have attended a minimum of 3 practices without your dog. After these steps have been taken, you must make arrangements with the TCSAR K-9 Team Leader to bring your dog to a K-9 practice to be screened. At that time we can also give you an idea about your dog's potential as a trainable search dog. Not all dogs have this potential.
- Although you will find a lot of team members knowledgeable about training the search dog and eager to offer their help, you are expected to take primary responsibility for training your dog. This requires much more than one training session per week. Outside classes, conferences, books, etc. are necessary. The team can make recommendations but it is, ultimately, the handler’s responsibility. K-9 training must include basic and advanced obedience.
- TCSAR conducts internal K-9 certification tests, but also recognizes and encourages team members to obtain certifications from National Organizations such as the following for specific areas such as tracking and human remains detection (HRD):
AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP
This is a membership alternative for anyone who is not interested in or unable to do search work, but would like to join TCSAR to serve the team/community in other ways. Auxiliary members must choose an active role in at least one of the following:
- Assist with the organization and facilitation of Public Relations events
- Contribute to the Newsletter
- Participate in the Eeyore’s/Fundraising Committee
- Assist with grant writing
- Attend Non-field involved trainings (i.e. 1st Aid/CPR, K-9 1st Aid, basic counseling skills, etc.)
- Attend committee meetings and events appropriate to chosen role
- Auxiliary members will NOT be involved in the following areas:
- Field operations
- Field operations trainings
- May not hold the office of President, Vice President or any Operational role on the team.
JOINING PROCESS -- for ALL prospective members
You must bring a signed copy of our Waiver Form before you can participate in trainings or practices. Download and print this form: Waiver Form
1. Attend at least three K9 practice sessions, Thursdays 7-10pm. -- even if you do not intend to train a K-9 or only wish to apply as an Auxiliary member. See K-9 information above for details regarding K9's.)
2. Complete the online application and mail it with the $15.00 application fee to our mail box. We must have your application and fee in hand before you can have your K-9 screened or can proceed with the application process. Application Form
3. Pass a criminal background check annually.
4. Submit names of references for a reference checks to be completed by the TCSAR Board.
5. Interview with the Board of Directors. This will be arranged mutually between you and the Board after you have attended at least 3 practices, submitted your application and fee and passed your background check.
The Board will meet, discuss and vote regarding your application. You will be notified in 3-5 days following your interview.
Come get to know us and let us get to know you. Decide if you are interested. Thank you for your interest in Travis County Search & Rescue. We look forward to the opportunity to get to meet and work with you.