How often does MSAR deploy?
We deploy an average of once or twice a month. The timing of these missions is generally unpredictable and don’t follow a pattern. We can respond to a number of missions in one month and none for several more. Most missions we deploy to are resolved within a day or less, but occasionally they can span several days. It’s also important to note that we often respond without advance notice and at any time of day. While we understand that everyone is a volunteer, and we all individually respond as we’re available, a certain degree of flexibility and the ability to accommodate this unpredictability is necessary to be successful with our team.
What's the time commitment?
While the time commitment varies, you generally can count on spending one weekend per month training, with at least two additional training opportunities throughout the month, and the first Monday evening of every month attending a general business meeting. Once you become operational you will be on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and will be expected to respond in person to at least a few missions per year.
Your time commitment at a mission will typically be between 12 and 24 hours depending on how far you have to travel and how quickly the mission resolves. While we recognize that you will not always be available, your lifestyle, work and other commitments should be somewhat flexible to allow you to respond to a mission on an emergent basis.
If you already have a busy lifestyle with little free or flexible time on your hands, you should probably put some thought into your expectations, motivations, and what you hope to achieve before joining an emergency response organization such as MSAR.
What kind of training do team members receive?
We train in all our core competencies, including how to search for a missing person, how to rescue those in need, and how to operate safely and be self-reliant in the wilderness. Our training includes lecture based and field training on topics such as search tactics, land navigation, wilderness first-aid, winter survival, litter handling, night operations, technical rescue, radio communications, dispatch procedures, search management and field team leadership.
What kind of equipment will I need?
Our gear list calls for everything that you would need to be self-sufficient for 48 hours, in case of emergency. We also carry a few tools to help us protect ourselves, navigate the wilderness, document our work, or participate in a rescue. While the investment can be considerable, we recommend everyone to start simple. In fact, we recommend that new members join us in the field a few times first, to better understand our needs, requirements, and to help make informed decisions, before acquiring new gear.
Is there a probationary period?
Yes. Once you’ve completed the process and met the requirements to join the team, you’ll join as a Probationary Member. This probationary membership lasts at least 90 days, during which the member is expected to be working to achieve the ASRC’s Filed IV certification. This will also be a time for probationary members to demonstrate their professionalism, ability to carry out assignments and the ability to work well in a setting that demands a high degree of teamwork. Probationary members will also be expected to attend at least two MSAR functions per quarter (e.g., business meeting, BOD meeting, fundraising event, classroom training, community service, etc) and achieve operational status within 6 months. Full operational membership is achieved by competing the Field IV requirements, as described in the Field IV Position Task Book.
Are there any prerequisites to join the team?
We do not require you to have any prior skills or experience, as we are committed to helping you learn everything you need to know to be successful in search and rescue and achieve the necessary certifications. While prior wilderness, search and rescue, or related experience is helpful, no experience is necessary to join. We train in all our core competencies, including how to search for a missing person, how to rescue those in need, and how to operate safely and be self-reliant in the wilderness. What we expect of new members is that they have a good attitude, professional demeanor, and a willingness to learn. We also expect a fairly significant time commitment and a high level of participation. It’s also important to note that we often respond without advance notice and at any time of day. While we understand that everyone is a volunteer, and we all individually respond as we’re available, a certain degree of flexibility and the ability to accommodate this unpredictability is necessary to be successful with our team.
Can I train a search dog with MSAR?
No. We often work closely with K9 teams on mission, but we do not have dogs on our team. If you’re interested in training a K9 in search and rescue, we can put you in touch with a team that can help you do so.
What does MSAR search for?
We are a resource that law enforcement or other authorities can call upon to assist in searching for a missing person and rescuing those in need. While most people think of missing people in a wilderness setting as lost or injured hikers, the reasons people go missing are quite varied, and we often search for people with dementia, missing children, or overdue hunters, to name a few. We are also occasionally called to assist law enforcement in searching for evidence in a wilderness setting or to assist in a cold case.
Where does MSAR search?
We are a wilderness search and rescue team, which means we’re trained to operate in wilderness and austere settings. That said, we are often called to assist in urban or suburban settings as well. Our response area is extensive, and generally only limited by how far we’re willing to drive. We regularly respond to missions in Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
What is the process to join the team?
We periodically accept applications for new members, which tends to be a very competitive process. Prospective applicants will be asked to submit an application, a signed waiver, and pass a background investigation. Once all of these have been successfully completed, you will be invited to join the team for a field training, which is meant to give you an opportunity to meet the team, see how we work and ask any questions that you may have. We also take this opportunity to get to know you and learn about your interests and motivations.
After your field visit, and once we have heard back from the references identified in your application, we will reach out to schedule an interview with our New Member Committee to determine if you’re a good fit for the team. If accepted, you will be asked to pay a $60 application fee, which includes your first annual dues of $35, and invited to attend one of our general business meetings. Once all these requirements have been satisfied, you will officially become a probationary member of MSAR and begin working on becoming a fully operational member.