When disaster strikes, it can be a challenge to effectively mobilize, organize, and deploy resources needed to perform wide area searches. This course is an excellent training opportunity for any jurisdiction or agency that may face such an emergency. The course content applies to a vast number of critical situations, including natural disasters or terrorist incidents.

You will be instructed in practical search methods and skills so you can perform systematic searches over a large affected area. The training will include challenging exercises that mirror real life scenarios. The three-day long event will conclude with an in-depth exercise that requires participants to utilize the skills gained during the

course by working through an incident from start to finish in a single operational period.

The trainers delivering the course are knowledgeable, they are experienced emergency responders who have actively utilized wide area search techniques during 

some of the nation’s largest and most challenging operations, such as Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, Gustav, and Rita; the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery operation; and many other incidents that required the same comprehensive strategies.

Topics

• Preparedness and Response
• Search Management and Planning
• Mapping
• Search Strategies and Skills
• Communication
• Team Management
• Hands-on Exercise

Suggested Audience

The participant audience includes any agency that may respond to a major emergency, disaster or event, including:

• Fire Department Responders
• Law Enforcement Officials
• Medical Professionals
• Emergency Management Agencies
• Military Organizations
• Hazardous Materials Responders
• Immigration and Naturalization
• Environmental Agencies
• Border Patrol
• Canine Handlers
• Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Agents
• Volunteer Responders with CERT, Red Cross, Disaster Relief, Animal Rescue, etc.
• Other organizations with search responsibilities