RACES Notes 01/25/06

News and Announcements

1) Upcoming Events
Feb 17-19 Yuma Hamfest
Feb 25/26 SAR Academy 
Feb 27-Mar 3 DICE-06
Mar 11 - Scottsdale Hamfest*

2) Search and Rescue Academy - Cochise County will host the annual 
SAR academy at the Sheriff's Sub Station in Willcox at the corner 
of Haskell and ???? on Feb. 25th and 26th.  This is a one time 
requirement.  If you have been to one there is no requirement 
to attend it again.  You may attend more than once if you would 
like to have a refresher.  It is a great opportunity to learn 
the theory, basis in law the Sheriff's responsibilities as well 
as the common vocabulary of Search and Rescue. All RACES members 
are encouraged to attend the SAR academy at least once.  As one 
of our more typical support missions, it is good to attend the 
academy to familiarize yourself with the typical operations 
of the SAR team.   The subjects covered include:
Legal Aspects of Search and Rescue
Search Theory and Management
Communications
Operational Tactics
Personal Safety
Map and Compass Techniques
Tracking and Clue Awareness
Just a reminder that the SAR Academy is considered to be 
one of the core proficiencies that all RACES members should 
attend.  It is normally only offered once annually about 
the same time each year. This year it will be held at the 
Willcox Sheriff's Office, 450 S. Haskell.  You may be able 
to carpool up from Sierra Vista by being at the Sierra Vista 
sheriff's substation by 7:00.  They will probably leave 
no later than 7:15. The classes are on both days.

4) RACES Manual - I sent a copy by Email about a week a go 
to members of record electronic copies of most of the manual. 

Training Notes
On our last net I identified core proficiencies that each of 
us should work on to be fully qualified RACES members.  I hope 
that each of you took the opportunity to assess your individual 
progress.  I am not looking for you to report your finding 
but just use that as a tool to look at what areas you need 
to focus on.

For tonight I want to focus on those activities we take during 
a callout. We will start with the assigned team leader duties.  

First task is to provide for the safety and welfare of assigned 
personnel during the entire mission.

Second task is to obtain complete mission information from 
dispatch or the lead deputy:
  Incident Name
  Reporting Location
  Reporting Time
  Travel routes
  Contact procedures during travel
  Current situation
  Incident Commander name, location and contact information
  Current resource commitments
  Expected duration of assignment

Incident Activities
  Arrive at incident and check in. Ensure you are properly equipped.
  Obtain briefing from supervisor. 
  Attend and participate in initial and subsequent team leader meetings.
  Provide appraisal of your current communications capabilities.
  Organize the work area with appropriate seating and work tables.
  Organize and Supervise the Comm. Unit.
Brief team members 
Make duty assignments
Provide mentoring as needed to team members
  Assist in development of Communications Plan, ICS Form 205
  Establish incident communications center and message center.
  Message operations of the IC Comm Center
Document radio/telephone activities on appropriate forms (ICS Form
309).
Direct radio/telephone traffic to proper destinations.
Establish emergency notification procedures
Identify system problems and determine appropriate solutions
Establish message routing procedures
Initiate and maintain accurate records of all communications
equipment.  
Perform periodic operational tests of comm. systems throughout 
the duration of the incident.
Maintain ICS Form 214 (Unit Log)
Evaluate performance of team and team members
Demobilization
Develop unit demobilization plan for release of equipment 
and personnel assigned to communications.
Recover and account for all assigned communications equipment.
Receive demobilization instructions from supervisor
If required, ensure that ICS Form 221 (Demobilization 
Checkout) is completed and turned in.

As you can see by this list, there are a lot of things that 
need to be done.  Some are almost done without thinking, 
others take more thought and, according to the procedures, 
may need to be documented for legal reasons.

OK, Let's go down the roster for comments.


Bob
Robert L Hollister