Search and Rescue (SAR) Volunteer

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The Search and Rescue (SAR) Volunteer is part of a SAR team that deploys to search sites and conducts SAR operations under the Director of SAR and Director of Operations. The SAR volunteer will believe in the mission of GIJ SAR, and have the safety of themselves and their team members as their first priority. The volunteer will be a team player, and have a willingness to learn new skills and train themselves and their team members in those new skills. The volunteer will observe all deployment guidelines, and have their personal equipment package ready to go at any time. During deployment, the volunteer will drive to the specified location safely, and assemble with the other volunteers at the Command Post. The volunteer will work with his/her team members in deployment actions that may include search and rescue, medical operations, hiking to remote locations, and other specialized SAR operations (water rescue, rappelling, etc). At the SAR site, the volunteer may work with other organizations, both in the private and public sector, and will need to be able to integrate into those organizations positively and effectively. The volunteer will also need to be able to keep accurate records and documents during deployments, and will let the Director of SAR or Chair of SAR know about any training or credentialing needs.

Responsibilities

• Ensure individual has all requirements for deployment (training, equipment)

• Continually learn, train, and keep current in trends in SAR

• Attend as many meetings, trainings, and deployments as possible in regards to personal schedule

• Review equipment list, and make sure to have all required equipment ready to go

• Deploy safely, and to the correct location

• At deployment site, continually assess area for safety concerns, and always keep safety as utmost priority

• During SAR operations, make sure to have the correct equipment, equipment in appropriate condition, and the correct training for specific operations

• Use the correct communications method during deployment

• If a volunteer is injured, get appropriate medical attention, and fill out documentation

• During demobilization, take care of equipment, documentation, and team members

• Return to GIJ SAR headquarters after deployment for Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, documentation review, and after action report details

Requirements

• Belief in GIJ SAR mission and team members

• Safety is of utmost priority at all times

• Willingness to learn new skills, and train team members in those new skills if applicable

• Background of military service (active, reserve, retired)

• Professional or voluntary work in:

• Emergency Management

• Disaster Preparedness

• Non-Profits

• Domestic or International Disaster Risk Reduction

• EMT, Paramedic, Firefighter/Fire Service, RN/LVN, MD/DO, Police, Federal Service

• Full time or reserve service in:

• Park ranger

• Game warden

• Wilderness firefighters

• Animal trackers

• Previous SAR experience in any area or discipline

• CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), ARC (American Red Cross), or any other community-based organizations

• Individuals with a scouting background

• Anyone with a willingness to learn something new, belief in the Mission of GIJ SAR, and a team player

Preferred Certifications

• Wilderness First Aid

• Survival Training

• First Aid/CPR/AED

• Any SAR training (ie: SAR Tech III/II/I, FunTech)

• CERT training

• Incident Command System (ICS)

• CA Drivers License