MASAR Spring Conference at the USN SERE School in Redington, Maine

Sunny with temps in the 70’s....not!!

‘Train like we search/rescue and search/rescue like we train’ was the motto of the MASAR Spring conference at the SERE School in Redington, Maine. With a steady rain, a stiff breeze and temps peaking in the low 40’s, 66 members from all over the state converged on the US Navy’s SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape) school in Redington for a day of training with 4 of the school’s instructors. After being divided into 3 groups, participants received detailed instruction on trapping animals for food, wilderness shelter building, and fire starting and overall survival techniques for the backcountry. Many thanks to Jim, Joe, Steve, Deb and the SERE crew, all of whom donated their time to make the event a success.

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Wilderness First Aid Class by WIlderness Medical Associates IFD May 2010

Copy by Jim Logan
Photos by Steve Mitman

May First and Second, FSAR members Steve M, Jeff, and Jim, participated in a Wilderness First Aid course offered by Wilderness Medical Associates at the Industry Fire Department. This class was sponsored by NorthStar EMS and funded by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security. There will be three other classes offered later in the year in other parts of Franklin County.

The course dealt with basics of emergency tactics covering a broad variety of problems one might encounter at any time of the year on land or water in FSAR situations or in recreational activities in Maine. Anaphylactic shock, lightning strike, hypothermia and heat –related conditions, broken limbs, internal injuries, and core first aid and CPR were among the subjects. In addition to classroom time, the course included simulations which gave opportunities to apply what was learned in more life-like situations. Two especially useful handouts were provided and familiarization with equipment and alternative uses and materials was very helpful.

There were three top-notch instructors, (2 of which, Mike and Gabe are also FSAR members!) and 8 students in this class, everyone agreed there was a lot learned. The FSAR participants agreed the class was enjoyable and rewarding and they look forward to additional courses to build on this one with a possible progression to WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid) and WFR (Wilderness First Responder) levels.

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