missouri SAR?

FortyTwo

Observer
Spent some time looking for the same, but everything seems to lead to broken links (at least until I got frustrated). Post up if you find anything.
 

chrismc

Adventurer
There isn't really any standalone SAR team in the state. Missouri lacks any statute specifying who is responsible for SAR activities, thus there are no formal per-planned SAR activities. In the event of a SAR emergency, the local officials duke it out and someone (usually LEO) steps up to take charge. We've been trying for years to get a program set up, going through various different avenues, with pretty much no success. Many CERT programs in St Louis have SAR training and SAR-trained members (using NASAR standards), and once in awhile get called out to assist LEO, but its not a formal SAR arrangement by any means.

Your best bet would be to contact your local CERT program coordinator, local Sheriff's office, and local Fire Department to see if any of them can offer you information. Be careful when asking, though, as it can be a touchy issue with some departments. Much damage has been done by "SAR members" that really lacked any training or knowledge and screwed up evidence on criminal investigations. Its kind of a vicious cycle- they complain about the volunteers they have, but provide no framework for proper SAR teams to work in. The void that's left is local PD calling for "volunteers" with no credentials to help out at the time of search. What they get is rednecks that see an excuse to tear things up off-trail in their ATV's. As a well-trained CERT SAR member, that's pretty frustrating to me.
 

FortyTwo

Observer
There isn't really any standalone SAR team in the state. Missouri lacks any statute specifying who is responsible for SAR activities, thus there are no formal per-planned SAR activities. In the event of a SAR emergency, the local officials duke it out and someone (usually LEO) steps up to take charge. We've been trying for years to get a program set up, going through various different avenues, with pretty much no success. Many CERT programs in St Louis have SAR training and SAR-trained members (using NASAR standards), and once in awhile get called out to assist LEO, but its not a formal SAR arrangement by any means.

Your best bet would be to contact your local CERT program coordinator, local Sheriff's office, and local Fire Department to see if any of them can offer you information. Be careful when asking, though, as it can be a touchy issue with some departments. Much damage has been done by "SAR members" that really lacked any training or knowledge and screwed up evidence on criminal investigations. Its kind of a vicious cycle- they complain about the volunteers they have, but provide no framework for proper SAR teams to work in. The void that's left is local PD calling for "volunteers" with no credentials to help out at the time of search. What they get is rednecks that see an excuse to tear things up off-trail in their ATV's. As a well-trained CERT SAR member, that's pretty frustrating to me.

Thanks for some really thorough advice. Since we're in the same town, if you know a specific place to get started in Saint Charles it'd be good to know. Thanks again!
 

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