FIRST
(Fast Initial Response Search Team)
Roles during a search:
- Carry out tasks issued by the Incident Management Team.
- Gather for the Incident Management Team information and clues related to missing people.
- To find missing people.
- To carry out any Rescue and/or First Aid tasks as required.
Membership is gained by meeting the following criteria:
- Successfully complete Mini SAREX 1 and 2.
- Have extensive bush and off track navigational experience.
- Maintain a good understanding of navigation and survival in the NZ bush.
- Be equipped and prepared for a period in the bush of no less than 24 hours at short notice.
- Maintain a high level of fitness.
- Be available 24hrs, 7 days per week for searches, within 1 hour of a call-out.
- Attend a minimum of 5 days training in any one year. Including at least one SAREX each year
- Attend a minimum of 50% of callouts in any one year.
- Miss no more than 3 consecutive monthly meetings (without committee approval).
- Attend both Track & Clue Awareness and Search Methods courses as soon as
practicable.
- Acceptable Police record.
The following will be provided after a new member successfully completes Mini SAREX 1:
- Training
- Track and Clue Awareness (TCA)
- Search Methods (SM)
- Urban Search
- Radio/GPS use and communications systems
- Helicopter work
- Rope work
- Computer skills in SAR software and mapping (when assisting in base).
- One tracking stick (on successful completion of the TCA course).
- A position on the callout list – you will be phoned in the event of a callout.
- Radios and GPS units which are issued as required.
- NZLSAR Field Guide and Work-book.
A probationary period follows the Mini SAREX 1 that requires:
- Attendance at no less than 4 of the first 6 events following successful
completion of Mini SAREX 1
- Acceptable performance at no less than 2 operations or exercises.
The following will be provided after successful completion of the probationary period
- One yellow high visibility vest.
- A pager.
- A membership card valid for one year.
General
- All FIRST RESPONSE members are required to have a level of bush experience that would enable them to operate alone in the bush for several days while travelling off tracks.
- The group will compliment bush skills and experience with specialist SAR skills via the regular training sessions and courses.
- All FIRST RESPONSE group members are expected to attend TCA and SM training within 12 months of joining.
- Attendance requirements reflect the high cost of providing the training.
- All FIRST RESPONSE group members are expected to gain experience and currency in using radios and GPS units.
- All members must notify the membership convenor of changes of contact details or availability
- All equipment provided remains the property of Hn SAR Gp.
- The order of members on the callout list is calculated monthly based on attendance at Group events.
Base Support Group
Role during a search
- Assist at Field Headquarters.
- Provide a passive search resource.
Membership is gained by meeting the following criteria:
- Have reasonable bush experience.
- Equipped and prepared for a period in the bush of no less than 24 hours at short notice either in the bush or at a road end.
- Maintain a reasonable level of fitness.
- Be available 24hrs, 7 d/w for searches within 1 hour of a call-out.
- Attend a minimum of 3 days of training in any one year. Including at least one SAREX each year.
- Attend a minimum of 50% of callouts in any one year.
- Attend at least 50% of monthly meetings in any one year.
- A current Outdoor First Aid certificate is preferred but not required.
- Some knowledge of search techniques.
- Acceptable Police record.
Base Support members may be required for a passive search role as follows:
- Monitoring bush edges or road/track ends.
- Observing in the bush from a fixed position such as track junction or hill-top. Helicopters may be used to position the person but they must be able to walk out if necessary.
Base Support members may also be required to assist at Field Headquarters as follows:
- Radio operators
- Log keepers
- Computer operators
- Messengers
- Provide transport
The following will be provided after a new member successfully completes a Workshop weekend.
- Training such as
- Radio/GPS use and communications systems
- Helicopter work
- Rope work
- SAR software
- NZLSAR Field Guide and Workbook.
A probationary period follows the Workshop that requires:
- Attendance at no less than 4 of the first 6 events following successful completion of the Workshop
- Acceptable performance at no less than 2 operations or exercises.
The following will be provided after successful completion of the probationary period
- A position on the callout list – you will be phoned in the event of a callout.
- A membership card valid for one year.
Issued during a search or exercise
- A Radio and GPS - issued as required.
- One yellow high visibility vest.
