Looking for info

[jakeandrenee]

I am looking for more detailed information on the true cost of becoming involved.

I have googled around a bit and haven't found much.
Can someone please point me in the right direction.....

Thanks!!!!!

[doggiedad]

involved in what???

Originally Posted by jakeandrenee

I am looking for more detailed information on the true cost of becoming involved.

I have googled around a bit and haven't found much.
Can someone please point me in the right direction.....

Thanks!!!!!

[jakeandrenee]

It is in the search and rescue section.....

[jakeandrenee]

Ok, maybe I need to clarify.
I am trying to research SAR and would like some direction on the cost and time that others have experienced....thanks

[jakeandrenee]

Anyone?

[JakodaCD OA]

there are a few on the board who participate in SAR,,ask wanda (kleinenhain) for one

[MaggieRoseLee]

Think it's going to be a different answer depending on which group you join. A more established one will probably have more stuff to borrow rather than buy too.

First thing I'd do is contact any/all SAR groups you can find in your area and then go meet to watch a practice!

SAR DOGS

Search and Rescue by Region

New Page 1

HEMSI Search Dog Unit

[jocoyn]

Our own experience on our team is typically

$3000-$5000 per year plus all dog related costs - we have to cover our own team liability insurance which adds another $100 per year per member.

Everything you do is typically NOT reimubrsed unless you are on a FEMA team and on a FEMA call.

That means your PTO (most of it winds up used for SAR either training or callouts or both)

But it is all going to vary a lot
Go to www.nasar.org and look at the contents of the SAR pack - most teams want you to have all that equipment.
-typical classes-all this will come out of your pocket:

NASAR SAR III, II and related tests (some states do their own thing)
Blood borne pathogens
Crime Scene preservation (must be taught by LE)
First Aid/CPR
K9 testing and Certs
FEMA ICS 100,200,700,800,(all before you hit the ground) and a new one the number escapes me right now for ESF-9, SAR. 300&400 for some.
Criminal background check (most teams require, run from one that does not, we require FBI fingerprint check)


Al your FEMA training can be pretty much done free and online (except for ICS 300&400 which needs to be in a class)

Have you talked with a team - it really really does vary.

Time investment - one or a half day of most weekends and a few weeknights a week has been mine.

[FG167]

Originally Posted by jocoyn

$3000-$5000 per year plus all dog related costs

I would say this is around what I figured too - mostly start-up gear bought and then gas getting to trainings, drills, call-outs etc. My team meets at least once a week in "regional" trainings, then every other weekend for team trainings plus one full day a month for drills. It's expensive, and time consuming and really amazing.

[SouthernThistle]

Don't forget to add in the cost of the actual dog (if the dog a person owns isn't suitable for SAR work.)

To put it bluntly: many people are in love with the romantic idea of SAR, but there are very few that follow through once they know the costs involved and what it really entails (for starters, wait until the rainy season in January or February...go outside with your dog, and stand there, in the rain, for four hours.)