Member Skills & Experience
Membership
Our Membership
Membership is generally by invitation. As of the summer of 2021, we have:
- 24 active members
- 4 advisors from around the state
All of our members belong to their local SAR team. Since our work can be remote or onsite, many members have never met in person! Roles can be any variety of things from K9 handler, ground searcher, operations manager, radio operator, etc. They each bring an extensive knowledge and expertise in the art of search to our team.
Skills and Experience
Qualities we look for in a team member:
- SAR Planning Experience
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Technical mapping experience
- Solid analytical abilities
Team Roles & Qualifications
Many of the missions that our members go on cover multiple days and involve days of planning before we ever reach the search location. We work closely alongside local incident command staff and county sheriff’s departments, all with the goal of bringing home the lost and the missing. Our members need to fill many roles.
Research Analyst
Functions
Conduct, analyze, and present research on: Lost Person Behavior, weather and local conditions, detailed subject information.
Qualifications
Experience with SAR operations; strong internet skills; training in Lost Person Behavior; basic search planning courses.
Mapping Analyst
Functions
Perform technical mapping, update and maintain search map; including data transfer, plotting coordinates, using multiple map layers.
Qualifications
Excellent SARTopo mapping skills; strong analytical skills; experience with SAR operations; strong computer skills.
Search Planning Analyst
Functions
Use statistical and deductive input to plan search scenarios, objectives, and search areas. Perform terrain analysis. Evaluate previous search actions; maintain search situational awareness.
Qualifications
Strong SAR planning experience; strong mapping skills; excellent analytical skills; strong communication skills and computer skills. Formal training in search planning.
Search Theorist
Functions
Apply formal search planning theory to guide search planning efforts.
Qualifications
Strong SAR planning experience; strong mapping skills. Formal training in search planning and in application of formal search theory.
Incident Team Lead
Functions
Supervise all SSPU operations during a search incident. Lead search planning efforts; serve as primary contact with search Incident Commander; assume role as on scene PLANS Chief if requested.
Qualifications
Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills. Strong SAR planning experience. Formal training in search planning and application of formal search theory.