The regular quarterly meeting of
the Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council convened at 1015 hours on Saturday,
June 24, 1989 at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, Lewistown, Pa.
The minutes of the
previous meeting were approved as published. Treasurer Greg Sassaman's report
was read and placed on file. He also presented a list of the member
organizations whose dues are current.
Inquiries from prospective
members were received and invitations to attend SAR Council meetings have been
sent. The prospective members have not yet made formal application for
membership.
Presentation
materials from the International Conference on Emergency Health Care Development,
Viasat Telecommunications, and the IAFC Special Rescue Unit Survey were handed
out. Copies of the SAR Council master contact data file were distributed to
those in attendance.
It was noted that
despite two mailings of the forms and three requests in the Council meeting
notice that data contained in the file has not been updated since 1986 in some
instances.
The Legislation
Committee reported that the draft SAR bill has been processed by the sponsoring
House member's staff and will be assigned a bill number on formal introduction.
It is expected that the bill will be referred to the House Committee on
Government Operations. Hearings will be scheduled following the summer recess,
probably in August, 1989.
Members were again
reminded that mission reports must be filed with Key Boyles of the DER to
provide a statistical description of search in Pennsylvania. This data will be
needed for testimony before the legislature on the SAR bill.
A Nominating
Committee was formed with Geg Sassaman as Chairman. All officers, a three year
term on the Board and a one year term on the Board are open. Current office holders
are eligible for re-election. Kevin
Parkes, Secretary, has indicated that due to work pressures he will not run for
re-election. Caroline Hebard's seat on the Board, one year remaining, was
declare vacant due to non-attendance at Council meetings.
The Training
Committee was reactivated. Bruce Trego is the chairman and liaison with the
State Fire Academy. Other members include Joe Thrash and Bruce Barton.
July 30--GPSR,
Gary Derr: Mantracking, 8 hours tentative location--Tyler State Park, $10 per person
includes cold lunch and handouts. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED, call 215 233 3360.
August 27--GPSR,
Tom Eckert: Water Rescue Phase 1, tentative location Pinchot State Park and
Connewago Creek. Course is FREE, bring own lunch, swimming gear, PFD's.
Preregistration recommended
for location confirmation.
Sept. 16-17--Search
First Responder, Indiana County Fire School. Also in Indiana County--Managing
Search Operations. Contact Joe Thrash.
At 1125 the Council adjourned and
reconvened as a Committee of the Whole on Training to discuss the goals and
direction of the newly reformed committee. The committee has been directed to
establish a formal liaison with the State Fire Academy through the SAR
Curriculum Committee. This committee of the Academy has approved Managing
Search Operations (MSO)as an official course. Where MSO is a requirement for
other courses, Managing the Search Function (MSF) as presented by NASAR will be
deemed acceptable for meeting the MSO requirement. The Search First Responder
course will be the prerequisite for the MSO course. This course is currently
being taught by DER personnel and additional instructors will be trained as the
course is transitioned to the Fire Academy. The final two courses are Basic and
Advanced Grid Searcher. This course has been tested and Ken Boyles will be
supplying the course proposal materials to the curriculum committee.
The Training
Committee has also been directed to develop standard methods of conducting operations
where more than one SAR unit or agency is involved. This standardization task
will include developing documentation, methods of operation, and standard
terms.
The Committee adjourned
at approximately 1230 hours.
Bruce Barton presented
an abbreviated version of a presentation on American rescue efforts in Armenia.
A lively discussion followed.