BRMRG FAQ
-- Schedule --- FAQ --- Levels --- Documents --- Knots --
-- Training Guide ---
When can I go on a search?
When you have completed the FTM workshop (or have received sufficient information from a
member of BRMRG) and have your field pack checked off, you will be Call-out-Qualified and
placed on the roster to be called for the next search.
I’m not sure about how much time I will have, do I have to go on the search?
No. You are in no way obligated to respond to any mission. School, work, and family often
come before searches! This is volunteer, and sometimes, other priorities come first.
However, the group appreciates your dedication to helping in those emergencies.
What do I do at a search?
When you first arrive, you will sign the SAR registration to let base know you are there
and ready to go in the field. (Do NOT walk into base! They are busy dealing with law
enforcement, family, and assigning tasks) Find a field team to join (or someone will ask
you to join one) and your Field Team Leader will get a task from base. You will then go
with your team into a designated area to search as directed by yor FTL and return to base.
A task averages about 4 hours. Other tasks you might be doing as an CQ include: running
the base radio, helping to set up radio equipment, making copies of maps for the field.
What about summers and holidays?
BRMRG operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (366 leap years)... if that
isn’t hard core, what is? You will be asked to fill out availabilities for these
times.
How do I get to the searches? What if I don’t have a car?
BRMRG operates throughout Virginia and portions of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland,
and North Carolina... no wonder you are worried about getting there! We travel in caravans
to the search and keep careful tabs on you in dispatch (it stays manned until everyone is
physically back to Charlottesville). Members may use their own cars, but many will leave
theirs behind to split the driving in another vehicle. You are reimbursed for gas mileage.
There is no probelm if you do not have your own transportation, dispatch can arrange a
ride for you.
When are trainings? What do they involve?
Classroom trainings are on Wednesday nights from 7-8. Field trainings are Saturdays
starting at 9am and typically last until 3 or 4pm. Bring your field pack for all Saturday
trainings... we will be teaching wilderness survival, land navigation, technical rope
skills, search techniques, simulations, working with dogs, among other topics. You will
also be certified in wilderness medicine first aid and CPR. Although BRMRG does not teach
an EMT cirriculum, many of our members go to a local rescue squad for this training and
take a new Wilderness EMT supplement. See the training schedule on the web:
http://www.virginia.edu/~brmrg/sched.html
What happens if I miss a training?
If you miss a training, it is your responsibility to learn missed information from a
member of BRMRG. They will be glad to help you out! We all have rough schedules and
understand missing trainings. If in fact, you will not be able to attend trainings this
semester but want to remain active in the group-- please do!
What comes after Call-Out-Qualified?
Field Team Member (FTM) is the next level of testing. After about one semester of
training, you can take the following tests to move up a level in qualification: FTM knots
FTM land navigation FTM written test Semi-technical rescue
BRMRG offers many leadership positions and training for advancement. You can progress
through the ranks of SAR by becoming a Field Team Leader (FTL), Field Team Signcutter
(FTS), Incident Staff (IS), and perhaps Incident Commander (IC). Officers positions
include: Medical, Operations, Comunications, Equipment, Public Information, Hug-A-Tree,
Finance, and Training.
How much is it going to cost?
Nothing, nada, zilch. BRMRG has no membership fees.
You will need to assemble your ten essentials, but this should be a fairly minimal cost
for the training and experiences you will receive.
What is the neatest part about Search and Rescue?