Applying to become a professional SAR Ground Searcher volunteer

Search and Rescue voluntarism is a long-term commitment. It can take up to a year to be ready to activate, and our chapter invests heavily in member training. Ideally, applicants should plan to be a ground searcher for a minimum of three years.

Regular attendance to tasks and training events is the key to keeping skills sharp, building teamwork and trust, and ultimately being part of an important group that saves lives.

SAR Regina members are on-call 24/7 and are expected to attend as many call outs, training and community events as possible. If you are prepared to meet this time commitment, please read on.

Ground Searcher Volunteer

Phase 1: Self-assess your capabilities and commitment

Professional SAR volunteers must be:

• 18 years of age or older

• mature, accountable and professional, and agree to abide by the Search and Rescue Regina Code of Conduct.

• physically able to

  • walk with a SAR-pack that weighs between 15-25 kilograms over three kilometres (two miles) in one hour

  • walk and push through heavy bush on hillsides and on uneven surfaces for a work-day; and,

  • work in and endure extreme environmental conditions, including scorching hot, freezing cold, humid, dry, and dusty areas.

    • to self-assess your personal health-risks, complete the Get Active Questionnaire

• hold a valid drivers licence, and be able to drive to and from training, community events, meetings and activations using their own means of transportation

• have access to a computer or cellphone to receive chapter information, manage an online account, communicate through group chats, and effectively use technology during training and searches

SAR Regina members must give a significant amount of time and money:

• meet the initial 40-hour ground searcher and two-day standard first aid minimum training requirements

• in addition to maintaining the minimum training requirements, attend a bare minimum of 20 training hours plus one mock search a year

• contribute to a minimum of two community and/or fundraising events, and/or board approved projects (i.e. Governance review) totalling an average of three hours per quarter (or 12 hours annually)

• pay for personal clothing and gear

• spend money to get to and from urban and rural events and search activation muster points

• be prepared to be on call 24/7 for activations with the goal to attend as many activations as possible

Phase 2: Information Gathering

If you have answered yes to all of the above, then we invite you to:

1. Attend a mandatory Information Session to meet our team and discuss the expectations of volunteers - information session are set based on volunteer presenter availability. Our next information session is scheduled for September 15, 2024.

2. Attend a prospective member field day where basic SAR skills are practised. Field Days expose prospective members to a sample of some practical training and search exercises, and our team, which enables us to determine if the potential member is a good fit for us, and if we're a good fit for the potential new member. Our next field day is scheduled for September 28 , 2024.

   TO REGISTER TO ATTEND THE INFORMATION SESSION AND/OR FIELD DAY, EMAIL OUR MEMBERHSIP DIRECTOR AT SARR.MEMBERSHIP@GMAIL.COM.

3. Complete the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency's free online course Incident Command System (ICS) 100.

4. Complete the Government of Saskatchewan' Enough Already: Creating a Harassment-Free Workplace course.

Phase 3: Application

• Submit the Membership Application Form

• Submit the $80 payment that includes the membership fee to sarr.finances@gmail.com.

• Email the following documents to our Membership Director at sarr.membership@gmail.com:

  • Criminal Record Check, including vulnerable sector check (available from your local police agency)

  • Enough Already certificate

  • Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency ICS I-100: Introduction to Incident Command System certificate

Phase 4: Selection, Training and Probation

• A maximum number of applicants will be selected to attend a 40-hour Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers Basic Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) course, which includes a written test and practical skills assessment.

• Those passing GSAR must also complete a Standard First Aid course within two months of completing GSAR.

• Once GSAR-certified, new professional SAR volunteers will be on probation for one full year and must attend the minimum training and community/fundraising hours. Failure to participate, without reasonable cause, or failure to abide by the Code of Conduct may result in termination as a SAR Regina member.

Phase 5: Membership Maintenance

Members must secure a new Criminal Record Check, including vulnerable sector check, and recertify in the GSAR and Standard First Aid courses every three years.

Passing the initial initial GSAR training is the bare minimum expectation. To become fluent ground searchers, members must continuously train and practise their skills. Being prepared in the winter versus summer, in urban versus rural settings must become automatic. Not being prepared is a disservice to the missing and their families, and other ground searchers.

In addition to meeting the above requirements, all members must:

• attend a minimum of 20 training hours plus one mock search a year.

• contribute at a minimum of two community or fundraising events, and/or board approved projects totalling an average of three hours per quarter (or 12 hours annually)

Members who do not meet their training requirements may continue as a Support Team Member, and will not be activated on searches.

Costs

• Initial $80 application fee that includes the first year's $30 membership and a one-time $50 jacket deposit. Should you decide not to renew your membership in the future and return your jacket, your $50 jacket deposit would be returned to you.

• Annual $30 membership fee.

• Criminal Record Check application fee every three years - cost depends on your policing jurisdiction. It ranges from free to about $25.

• $140-$160 Standard First Aid course every three years. Occasionally we are able to secure an outside trainer to offer this course at a highly reduced rate.

• $50 textbook fee for the basic Ground Search and Rescue Course. Occasionally we receive sponsorship/funding to cover those costs and pass that saving along to you.

• Your weather-appropriate personal items and gear used on search activations – clothing, personal protection equipment, footwear, etc.

• Transportation costs to go to and from training.

• Mileage, accommodations and meal costs for activations/searches are typically reimbursed. However, you must pay for these items then submit expense forms after the activation is concluded. It can take up to three months to receive reimbursement for these expenses.