MASAR Request for Certified Searchers

FSAR members

MASAR has sent a statewide request for ground searchers for a ‘continuation of the search’ for a missing (2011) homicide victim in Lewiston on August 10^th.

This request is for ‘Certified Searchers Only.’ This means that only team members who have completed the BASAR class and have met the other MASAR standards are needed for this search. Over the past 18 months, MASAR has had a number of searches that are ‘Certified Searcher Only’ calls. Any time there is a search that involves a criminal investigation, MASAR is likely to request only certified searchers. The skills learned in the certification process help insure that the search will be conducted in a manner that will aid and not hinder the investigation. If an untrained searcher were to unintentionally mishandle evidence during a search, the entire investigation and criminal case could be jeopardized.

The following standards must be met to become a certified searcher:

1. 1.    Successful completion of the BASAR class.
   2.     Successful completion of the field competency standards
   3.     Current certification in basic first aid or a higher level of emergency medical training
   4.     Passage of an ICS-100 course
   5.     Passage of an IS-700 course
   6.     Current certification in CPR from the Red Cross, American Heart Association, or National Safety Council
   7.     Acceptable aerobic fitness evaluation within the past 6 months
   8.     Letter of recommendation from unit officer or course instructor

All FSAR members have met ‘some’ of the above standards. During our monthly meetings & trainings, we will often train on one of the field competencies (fire building, shelter building, navigation, etc.). Steve Y. keeps the training records with a BASAR checklist for each FSAR member. Contact Steve to see what you already have completed and to update your training record.  

The FSAR board strongly encourages all members to work toward completing the Certified Ground Searcher process.

Although some are very close to completion, of our current 25 active FSAR team members, only 6 currently hold the ‘Certified Searcher’ credential.   If you have any questions, please contact a board member.