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* Air Ops Newest Tool - World's Lightest Flying Robot * Crowds Often Smarter Than Individuals * NASAR Looking for Legal Advisor * NASAR Train-the-Trainer Positions Now Available * Information on Junior Service Programs * New Additions to the MRA Educational Programs * Affirmation of "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in an Earthquake * USFA Course Prepares EMS Responders for Multiple Casualty Events * Homeland Security Research Site * First Responder Hazardous Material Response * Financial First Aid
======================================================================== Online version at www.SARNEWS.com 12/22/2004 ========================================================================
Air Ops Newest Tool - World's Lightest Flying Robot
Imagine tracing your containment path or a search pattern into a laptop computer. Then with the GPS coordinates downloaded into your flying robot you launch a mini-helicopter complete with video download of the search pattern. The robot capable of such feats has already been developed. It is estimated a commercial version will be available in two years with search and rescue as one of the markets. The web page also offers a video clip of the robot in flight. In the future it may be even more difficult to tear people away from computer screens and get them out into the field.
http://www.epson.co.jp/e/newsroom/news_2004_08_18.htm
======================================================================== Crowds Often Smarter Than Individuals
A new book by James Surowiecki called The Wisdom of Crowds makes the point that the many are often smarter than the few. This concept is familiar to many in search management, better known as a Mattson Consensus process. The process was used in the 1968 search for the missing submarine Scorpion. A roomful of divergent experts independently gave input and determined a position using Bayesian statistics (something the people who write SAR programs do for us behind the scenes). The position was correct by 220 yards.
The book points out the most important factor may be who is assembled to conduct the consensus. The group should be autonomous, decentralized, and members should be from different backgrounds. In other words, don't gather all Incident Commanders trained by the same person and from the same team. Instead, gather up a team that includes the IC, planners, local law enforcement, experienced field resources (team leaders, trackers, dog handlers), a behaviorist, or others that bring an educated but diverse outlook on the search.
======================================================================== NASAR Looking for Legal Advisor
The NASAR Board of Directors recently approved the addition of a legal advisor to its leadership base. If you are an attorney interested in a volunteer position on the Board of Directors, please submit a cover letter and resume via email to media@nasar.org
http://www.nasar.org/nasar/news.php?id=156
======================================================================== NASAR Train-the-Trainer Positions Now Available
NASAR is currently seeking applicants for the contract position of Instructor Trainer (IT). It will be the responsibility of the IT to coordinate and conduct Train-the-Trainer workshops for organizations that choose to license the NASAR education programs for the purpose of instructing and/or certifying the members of their organization in the field of search and rescue according to criteria established by NASAR. Travel is required.
http://www.nasar.org/nasar/news.php?id=155
======================================================================== Information on Junior Service Programs
Many SAR teams have or have considered junior programs. A recent downloadable publication from the VFIS provides information on setting up a program, different types of programs, recruitment and retention, and legal issues.
http://www.vfis.com/store/downloads/downloads.htm?Openform
======================================================================== New Additions to the MRA Educational Programs
First, "Public Information Officers in Search and Rescue Operations" is a program aimed at providing pertinent information about how to work with the media during and after rescue operations. This material (found at http://www.mra.org/PublicInformationOfficerinSAR.pdf) is designed particularly for those on your rescue team who have contact with media sources during and after SAR operations.
Second, "Mountain Rescue: High Performance Operations" by Tim LaMacchio has been added to our Mountain Rescue Training Programs section. This innovative course (available at http://www.mra.org/HighPerformanceOperations.pdf) addresses those important factors that influence a mountain rescue team’s performance, success, and operations.
This "High Performance" program is the latest in our recent series of abstract programs that address risk management and performance factors. It joins the last of the recent additions to our programs, called "Situational Awareness in Search and Rescue Operations." You can find this program on the MRA web site at
http://www.mra.org/SituationalAwarenessinSAROperations.pdf
======================================================================== Affirmation of "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in an Earthquake
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has posted information on its Web site that affirms the earthquake safety advice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" and provides accurate illustrations showing the proper procedure. This was done in response to a flurry of inquiries that asked FEMA and other agencies if the recommendation to "drop, cover, and hold on" remained accurate. This information is available at http://www.fema.gov/hazards/earthquakes/nehrp/hold.shtm.
The National Disaster Education Coalition also has a statement about this issue, titled "Triangle of Life," on its web site at http://www.disastereducation.org/guide_tech_issues.html.
======================================================================== USFA Course Prepares EMS Responders for Multiple Casualty Events
The U.S. Fire Administration is offering a new online course designed to help emergency medical service (EMS) personnel respond more effectively when faced with a multiple casualty incident. The new independent study course -- EMS Operations at Multicasualty Incidents, Q157 -- is a four hour, web-based course that addresses preparedness planning, incident management, safe and efficient triage, treatment, transportation of patients, and the de-escalation of the response. Access the course at
======================================================================== Homeland Security Research Site
The primary role of the National Academic Consortium for Homeland Security is to promote, support, and enhance academic research, technology development, education and training, and service programs dealing with all aspects of international and homeland security through collaboration and information sharing.
http://homelandsecurity.osu.edu/NACHS/
======================================================================== First Responder Hazardous Material Response
This book is the result of an extensive study of available hazardous materials response resources for first responders undertaken by the United States Fire Administration (USFA). The study concluded that, while several excellent and technically accurate resources are available, none are directed to the specific needs of the first responder trained at the awareness or operational levels of training, which are the training levels of most first responders. It is the hope and the intent of the USFA that this book, which is only available online, will be that much needed resource.
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/hazmat/hazmatguide/hmgfr2a.shtm
======================================================================== Financial First Aid
Operation Hope offers a free Emergency Financial First Aid Kit on its web site. Designed to help Americans minimize the financial impact of a natural disaster or national emergency, this tool helps users identify and organize key financial records and serves as a quick reference to important financial documents. A Spanish version is under development.
www.operationhope.org/documents/EmergencyFinancialFirstAidKit.pdf
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