March tRAINings, Operations and Promotions

March finally brought us some of the rain that we had been waiting for all winter long.  With multiple operation periods for one search as well as our SAR Basic training weekend in Huddart Park, as a team we logged almost 500 hours out in the spring weather hiking through mud and rappelling over cliffs.  Working with, and being supported by such wonderful teammates is what kept everyone's spirits up even when enduring physically and emotionally challenging conditions. 

We had 18 guests join us this past weekend for SAR Basic; a 20 hour training intended to orient prospective members to the basic skills required to contribute effectively to a search and rescue operation.  For those that decide to apply and are accepted onto the team, they will be able to participate on searches right away under the guidance of more experienced team members.

Emily & Penny

On day one we covered basic knots, patient assessment, radio communications and navigation before moving on to patient packaging, litter handling and a high angle rescue demonstration.  On day two we were honored to have California Rescue Dog Association and BAMRU member Wayne Behrens and his dog, Penny (a.k.a. "no Penny no"), to review searching with dogs, followed by Ed Daley with an introduction to tracking.  

To wrap up the training, guests were divided into teams, given a briefing and sent out on a mock scenario search.  It was great to see everyone stay focused and working so well together in the rain.  Cold and wet weather makes for a challenging learning environment, so kudos to the guests and instructors for such dedication.

PROMOTIONS AND ENDORSEMENTS

This month Chris Kantarjiev received his third and final endorsement; Navigation & Wilderness Search.  Endorsements indicate that the member has a depth of experience and set of skills in that discipline that allows them to confidently and safely use them in the field.  This means that soon, Chris will be joining the ranks as a Technical Member, BAMRU's highest level of membership.

Jim Lohr was sworn in as a BAMRU trainee after having completed his extensive Sheriff's Office background check.  Jim brings to the team his previous experience with SAR in Southern California and has been an excellent addition.

Abi Fitzgerald was promoted to Field Member after completing all of the required skill sets to do so.  Abi joined the team in Spring of 2010 and is grateful for the guidance and teaching moments that her teammates continue to provide through this process.  

Mori Point Search

On Saturday, March 24th BAMRU was requested for a delayed callout Sunday at Mori Point.

The goal of the operational period was to search some sections of beach that had been inaccessible during previous efforts. A very low tide was predicted for 0705 and we had a very narrow window to accomplish our goals. Volunteer Marines had pointed to a sea cave that they felt should be investigated.

We decided to build a personal rope system to provide access.  Members rappelled into the cove and searched the bottom, but found nothing of interest.

After a short debrief, most members drove to Huddart Park to support the mock search that was the conclusion of BAMRU SAR Basic training weekend.

BASARC Training

Over the weekends of February 11 - 12 and 18 - 19, 2012, four BAMRU
members attended and successfully completed Bay Area Search and Rescue Council's (BASARC) Managing the Lost Person Incident (MLPI) course.  One BAMRU member assisted with instruction.

The course discussed search management, particularly the
section chief roles, in all phases of a search from the initial
decision to initiate a call out, through hasty and multiple operational
periods, and through successful finds, suspension decisions,
demobilization, and continued search efforts in the event that a
subject is not found. 


All BAMRU members gained greater knowledge of
the BASARC standard of search management and experience working with
other Bay Area teams in a management capacity.  We extend our thanks to
BASARC for the invitation for us to attend and providing the
opportunity to learn from our search and rescue colleagues.

Additional Promotions of early 2012

We've had such a great start to the year that it's been hard to keep up!

Ranger Gibbs at rock skills training.

Kurt instructing comms to new recruits.

In addition to the members in the previous post, BAMRU also promoted Kurt Gross early this year from trainee to field member.  Kurt is an EMT and spent several seasons as a back country ranger in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park.  Kurt is one of two experienced NPS Rangers on our team, the second being John Gibbs who joined us towards the end of 2011.

Ed Daley kicked off 2012 as another one of our newest Field Members.  If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend that you sit down with him sometime and ask him about his pilot days and about his experience working with NASA....or climbing with Chouinard.

Ed on Andesite ridge in January.

Last but not least, this year we also welcomed John Lissoway onto the team as a trainee.  John is an M.D. who has come the Bay Area to complete a fellowship at Stanford in wilderness medicine.

John L. trying his hand at placing pickets.

Congrats and welcome!  BAMRU is honored to have such a breadth of experience on the team.

Time Flies When You're Searching and Rescuing

Where has the time gone?!  Below is a belated summary of 2011, another banner year for BAMRU, and a brief update on 2012 thus far.  Now if we could just get a little snow!

Emilie on the summit of Mt. Kosciusko
post surgery!  

Recent promotions and team accomplishments:

• Emilie Cortes has moved from Support member to Trainee member after facing a long ACL surgery recovery which is still in progress. Congrats Emilie, so glad to see you on the mend!
• Blake Gleason received his Technical Rock skills endorsement.
• Chris Kantarjiev received his Technical Rock and Snow and Ice skills endorsements.

These are two of three endorsements that team members can earn towards becoming a technical member of the team (the third being in Navigation and Wilderness Search).  Earning an endorsement in any of these disciplines means that the individual has a depth of experience with the extensive set of skills in each category that allows them to confidently and safely use them in the field.  Congratulations Chris and Blake!

Blake in his element as litter attendant ~1,000ft. from the
valley floor!

Chris on Mt. Rainier, a successful summit day! 14,411ft.