dbS SAR Newsletter

(See below for links. Either click on any active [i.e. underlined] link.

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The Citizens' Preparedness Guidebook, produced by the National Crime Prevention Council with support from the Department of Justice, provides current crime and disaster preparedness techniques as well as the latest information on terrorism to give Americans guidance on how to prepare in our homes, in our neighborhoods, at work, at the airport, in places of worship, and in public spaces.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ojpcorp/cpg.pdf

You can also order the Guidebook by calling a toll-free hotline at 1-800-WE-PREVENT (1-800-937-7383) You may view other Free SAR stuff at http://www.dbs-sar.com/free.htm

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Using algorithms and mathematical calculations to identify the most likely search areas, the Department of National Defense has not only increased the chances of finding survivors of downed aircraft, but also reduced the costs involved.

http://www.cipa.com/winners/next2_story.html

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The conference web site is <http://www.riverside-graphics.net/sar02/index.html>. There you'll find conference site info, lists of classes, maps of the area, and pre-conference courses offerings. I plan to be in attendance to give presentations on Alzheimer's disease and urban search and rescue.

Registration info is available on the web site. If you have additional questions contact Chris Long at <c.long@emd.wa.gov>

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http://www.airscentinghorse.com/

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. Training activities will move into the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to allow greater coordination between training for emergency managers and training for firefighters; and

. Authority for credentialing, training and deploying Urban Search and Rescue teams will move from RR&R to the USFA.

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The U.S. Fire Administration is sponsoring free workshops on the 2002 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Interested fire department representatives are invited to attend. The purpose of the workshops is to explain the 2002 grant program and to answer questions.

Information will be presented on the program and on the application process. Also, general assistance in the writing of a competitive narrative for a department's grant application will be discussed.

FY 2002 GRANT APPLICANT WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Additional workshops are being scheduled. Please visit the USFA web site at

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/grants/02wrkshps.htm for the latest schedule information.

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A new program organized under FEMA called CitizenCorps has been launched by President Bush. It involves citizens volunteering for several different programs. How this may impact Search and Rescue teams remains to be seen. However, some of these programs may give SAR teams an alternative service they may choose to offer the public. The specific programs are listed below.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a training program that prepares people in neighborhoods, the workplace, and schools to take a more active role in emergency management planning, and to prepare themselves and others for disasters.

An expanded Neighborhood Watch Program (NWP) will incorporate terrorism prevention and education into its existing crime prevention mission.

Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) will provide support for resource-constrained police departments by utilizing civilian volunteers in order to free up more law enforcement professionals for frontline duty.

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) will coordinate volunteer health professionals during large-scale emergencies to assist emergency response teams, provide care to victims with less serious injuries, and remove other burdens that inhibit the effectiveness of physicians and nurses in a major crisis.

Operation TIPS, the Terrorist Information and Prevention System, will be a nationwide program providing millions of workers who, by the nature of their jobs, are well-positioned to recognize unusual events, with training, materials, and a formalized way to report suspicious activity to the nearest FBI field office.

Citizen Corps efforts at state and local levels will be coordinated nationally by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

http://www.citizencorps.gov A link may also be found on the home page of www.dbs-sar.com

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Several USAR Dogs were featured and honored at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The article also mentions a $275,000 contribution to NASAR.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/2645929.htm

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The article provides details on a fall of 1000 feet, the broken leg, the saving of six stranded snowmobilers, and finally the rescue of the fallen searcher. Best wishes to the injured SAR member.

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1002,11%257E394061,00.html?search=filter

The second article describes how an insurance company tried to deny a search and rescue worker her just Worker's Compensation claim. Fortunately, in the end she was able to collect the money. The link will most likely only be good today.

http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsitems/5news.htm

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The US Coast Guard has recently published a Search and Rescue Newsletter addressing Coast Guard SAR issues. Two issues are currently posted on-line. Interesting articles include updates to the National SAR Supplement, the use of computer assisted SAR programs (to the tune of 1.7 million dollars), a new checklist for suspending missions (everyone should read this), and SAR statistics.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/g-opr/newsletter/newsletter.htm

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