Required Training
In the State of Washington, search and rescue operations are the domain of the county law enforcement agency. Washington Administrative Code defines the training requirements for SAR volunteers. The King County Sheriffs Office (KCSO) is responsible for implementing a training program for SAR volunteers. KCSARA has been delegated the work of creating a program for KCSOs approval.
The Washington State SAR Coordinators Association (WSSARCA http://www.wssarca.org) delegated the SAR Volunteer Advisory Council (SARVAC http://www.wasarvac.org ) to identify and characterize the basic SAR volunteer training requirements. The current requirements were ratified by WSSARCA in 2011, targeted for complete implementation by Jan 1, 2015. KCSO has defined Jan 1, 2014 as the required implementation date. KCSARA is tasked to create program activities which satisfy the SAR volunteer requirements as defined by SARVAC and approved by KCSO.
Approved unit training, or third-party offerings, might satisfy some of these requirements.
WA SAR Volunteer Training Requirements
Everyone with a direct role in emergency and incident management and response, including volunteers, must take NIMS and ICS training. The amount of training depends on the person's position level in response operation.
These requirements are codified in Washington Administrative Code 118.04 and described in the Core Competencies v80 document available on the SARVAC website. The exact content, length, and refresher cycle has been interpreted through an agreement of King County Sheriff's Office.
- Physical & Mental Fitness
- Legal Issues (Intro to Emergency Worker)
- Survival Skills & Equipment
- Radio Communications
- Land Navigation
- GPS Operation
- Crime Scene Identification & Management
- Search Organization & Management
- Search Techniques
- Helicopter Safety
- Subject & Searcher First Aid
- Rescue Techniques
- Searcher Safety
Last updated on March 27, 2013.