Volunteer Information Sheet

 

Thank you for your willingness to help out; your contribution of time and energy are greatly appreciated by everyone during this emergency situation. In order to be of the most help, we ask that you read and follow the guidelines described below. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask the Staging Officer.

 

STAGING

 

1.     PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SIGN THE VOLUNTEER REGISTER, if you have not already. (You can not be assigned to a task unless you are signed up to help.)

 

2.     Stay in the staging area until you are assigned to a field team or other task so that teams can be formed quickly.

 

3.   Let the Staging Officer know if you have any limitations (time, equipment, medical conditions, etc)

 

4.     Please start drinking plenty of water - most tasks last at least four hours, making dehydration a very real possibility

 

Considerations

 

Difficult terrain1 including steep drainages, thick brush, and hilly terrain are commonly encountered during search and rescue missions, even in largely suburban areas. For this reason, all field personnel are expected to have the following gear:

 

q       Proper clothing for weather and terrain, including ____________________

q       Sturdy boots / shoes Cream leaders have the right to not allow tennis shoes or other such footwear to be worn while on task.)

q       Water bottle / canteen

q       Personal first aid kit (including bee sting kits if allergic to stings)

q       ____________________________________________________________

 

It is also important to remember that despite the best efforts of everyone involved, not all searches end happily. Please bear in mind that the possibility of a negative outcome always exists; Parents are strongly encouraged not to bring minor children along to search.

 

Your field team leader will talk with the team to find out about each member's:

1.    Outdoor, medical, and search experience

2.    Familiarity with the search area

3.    Personal knowledge of the missing person

4.    Medical conditions, allergies, etc

 

The team leader has the right to insist that any volunteer, trained or untrained, not be a part of their team based on safety or performance concerns.

 

 

Each field team will have a designated team leader. The team leader is responsible for:

 

1.            Team safety

2.            Briefing team members on missing person

3.            Search tactics, team spacing and team pace

 

SAFETY:

 

1.            Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your task to avoid dehydration

2.            Do not smoke while on task (can interfere with sense of smell for people as well as dog teams, as well as be a fire hazard.)

3.            Watch for terrain hazards such as holes, old wells, etc.

4.            Be careful of wildlife, including insects - check thoroughly for ticks to try to avoid Lyme's disease or other illnesses

5.            Advise the team leader of ANY medical conditions of allergies (bee stings, medications, etc.)

Searching

 

1.            It is very important to remember to look for clues as well as for the missing person.

2.            Look for obvious footprints, clothes, trash, or objects or other signs of human passage.

3.            Don't forget to look in front of you, behind you, up into trees, and under bushes, logs, etc.

4.            This will cause you to move slowly, but will help us do a much better search.

 

 

Clues

 

1.            If a possible clue is found - Call for the team to STOP.

2.            DON'T TOUCH IT (could be important evidence, or be needed for a dog team.)

3.            Ask the Team Leader to check the clue and advise what to do next.

4.            Protect the area and mark it (as directed) for other specialized teams to follow up

5.            If you are in doubt as to whether something is a clue, call for a STOP and ask the Field Team Leader. (They should be able to help tell you more of what to look for in each missing person case.)

 

Searching on Private Property

 

1.            Be polite and professional

2.            Knock on doors and ask for permission before searching yards.

3.            If permission is given, check all outbuildings, cars, dumpsters, etc

4.            Watch out for dogs or other animals (protective of property)

5.            Record name and phone number if the owner has any information

 

Please direct all media personnel to the command post for the latest information on strategies, tactics, statistics, and possible clues.