Ravalli County Search & Rescue

Training Requirements

Participation and Training Requirements
Revised Feb 15, 2022

New Member Requirements

New members are encouraged to come to all missions and trainings they can make. Prior to being deployed into the field new members must complete the following.

  1. Go through a pack review with a team leader, board member, or training officer
  2. Completion of the annual SAR modified version of FS Moderate Pack Test

New members will be on probationary status as Trainees until they complete the following.

  1. Introduction to RCSAR Policies
  2. Introduction to Communication policies, procedures, and equipment use
  3. NIMS IS 100 online course (Incident Command System training)
  4. NIMS IS 700 online course (Incident Command System training)
  5. Introduction to Wilderness Navigation
  6. Introduction to Technical rescue safety and procedures
  7. Introduction to Water rescue safety and procedures
  8. Introduction to Avalanche awareness and safety (videos)
  9. Avalanche beacon and probe use field training.
  10. Online ATV Safety Course
  11. Online Snowmobile Safety Course
  12. Final exam, SAR Tech III (NASAR online test)

In addition to the above trainings members must meet the following participation requirements during their first year.

  1. Attend at least 6 general meetings the first year
  2. Participate in at least 6 field trainings the first year
  3. Participate in at least 6 missions the first year
  4. Been a member of RCSAR for at least 12 months

Ongoing Full Active Member Requirements

Once full member status has been achieved, to maintain "Active" status, members must attend a minimum of the following in the preceding 12 months.

  • 6 general meetings
  • 6 field trainings
  • 6 missions
  • SAR Pack Test

Full and Active member status will be required for any of the following.

  • SAR Board Member
  • IC
  • Ops Chief
  • Field Team Leader
  • Specialty Team Leader
  • Voting
  • Outside Trainings
  • Pro Deal discounts from various sponsors of MRA and Search and Rescue

Members who have achieved "Full" member status but do not meet the requirements of an "Active" member can respond to calls. Their level of involvement, like everyone else, will be at the discretion of the IC, Ops Chief, or Team Leader.

Members who are not Full, Active status, are on probation, are not current with a pack test or medical certifications must respond to the building, not the scene prior to being deployed for any mission.

Additional Certification and/or Training Options

  1. Level 1 Avalanche course (this is a 2.5 day class)
  2. MLPI (managing lost person incident) course
    To become an IC a member must have a minimum of completed trainee requirements and 2 years full active member status and complete an approved MLPI course
  3. SRT (swift water rescue technician course)
    required for members of swift water rescue team.
  4. Introduction to ELT operations

Additional Notes

To take IS 100 or IS 700 independent study classes go to training.fema.gov. Click FEMA independent study, then click NIMS Courses, then scroll down to IS 100 or IS 700.

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