Hi guys,

I want to become a volunteer for a SAR organisation. I have first-aid and CPR training (refreshed 2 weeks ago) and wilderness survival skills. I love the outdoors and i'm an experienced fisherman, hiker and snowshoeing adept.

The thing is that, I don't know which of two organisations I should volunteer to...!

The first group is purely local but has more members (50+), with more important financial resources, and is ran by a former state police officer. They have some K9 units and from what I know, this organisation is the first one that regular police call if they require some civilian assistance.

The second group is newer, and although they have smaller local units (20-25), they have branches all over the province. This organisation is more community oriented. They seem to volunteer on a regular basis during marathons, cycling, paddling and other community events to supply first-aid. I talked to the top manager and they said that they have better training when it comes to medical assistance : defibrilator, immobilizing people, this kind of stuff... I have a feeling this one is more open to volunteer implication, and I can see myself giving out survival preparedness presentations to members... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Any thoughts on how to select the best organisation?

Thanks!

I will provide my .02. Myself and several friends here in Oklahoma volunteer for a county Emergency Management group. The idea was that we would for a SAR team to compliment the services that were already being offered. Well let's just say that when the leader doesn't think it's a priority...then you don't go far.

So my advice would be this. Determine what it is that you really want to do. Would you like to go out on lots of calls where your skills might come in handy. Or would you prefer to do more community service work.

I am sure others will lend their opinions, but here are some things to think about.

If you want to go out on serious situations..lost hikers, disasters..then align yourself with the organization that the local/state officials call first. Have a former officer as the head does nothing but help with local officials view of your group. Before you join, you might look at history of what calls they have been on..check your skills. What do you have that could have been, might have been useful. How long were they out..could make a difference in your selection.

The other group sounds like individuals that saw a need and are filling it locally. The probably don't get called out on to many Search and Rescue operations, but when a community has an event where they want some medical presence..they are called upon. Again, look at the jobs they have performed and check where you skill set would have been useful.

I think you can make a contribution wherever you decide to go. Just look before you leap. If you want to find backcountry skiers who get lost and you constantly find yourself working the local parade at a water stand...you can get discouraged real easy.

Just my opinion. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The only suggestion I would offer up is that you see if you can "hang out" with both groups and see who you connect with. If you are not happy with the people that you are going to be spending what seems as a considerable amount of time with, you won't want to do any of the activities. You know the tune... Don't worry, be happy.

I would go along to both for a while untill you get a feeling of which suits you better.
You can get a few first impressions of the way each is run and the quality of its members and resourses.

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

Even after sending them a detailed email, I have not heard anything from the larger, more "involved" group (the one with the canine teams).

Last week, I met the leaders of the second, community-oriented group and I am now a member of their team! Things seem to be pretty slow during the winter, guess i'll have to think about preparing a survival course for fellow members. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The other post had some good advice, I am the SAR coordinator for my county in Illinois. I would like to add that you investigate what training they offer, and see how many call-outs they have had. and......Talk to other members.

PS Good for you. We need lots more volunteers, trained and ready for all sorts of events.

T RO