1.1.1 FWD’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Teams Supporting California’s OES

In 2001, the Far West Division and the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to have our ski patrol members be available to support emergency service functions under the provision of the Emergency Services Act.  Since 2001, members have been linked-in and serve SAR functions for OES in both Northern and Southern California.

1.1.1.1 Mission/Objective:

To promote the opportunity for NSP FWD patroller members to volunteer and provide services to the State of California Emergency Management Agency (CALEMMA) providing for Emergency Medical and Search and Rescue operations under the direction of OES.

A signed Memorandum of Understanding dated November 3, 2001 specifies authorized provisions and services between the State of California Governors Office of Emergency Services and the Far West Division of the National Ski Patrol remains current and is on file with the State of California (CALEMMA) and the FWD.

The FWD has authorized two geographically located Nordic patrols to host Search and Rescue teams servicing Northern and Southern California.

• Northern CA FWD SAR Team - Tahoe Backcountry Nordic, Mike Kelly – Team Leader
• Southern CA FWD SAR Team - Mt. Pinos Nordic, Mike St. Clair – Team Leader
  

Registered Team participants are trained and equipment ready to operated in severe winter environments.  All training and mission operations are authorized and covered under the State of California in regards to workman’s compensation personal safety issues.

1.1.1.2 Supervisor: Name and Contact

John Kretschmann
NSP/FWD SAR Liaison
9933 Vine Springs Road
Sonora Ca, 95370
209-694-8523

1.1.1.3 Plan

Each authorized FWD SAR team is required to conduct annual winter search and rescue operations training. A calendar of their planned training is provided to the State and will posted on www.farwest.org.  Currently each team has 20-25 registered SAR patrollers.

Objectives are to increase FWD SAR team membership by 20-30% to 30-members for each FWD SAR team for the 2009-2010 season. Attend Nordic Patrol OEC refreshers and promote FWD SAR membership.

Considering the severity of winter rescue operations, more emphasis will be directed to training, which is appropriate for the environment with regards to efficiency and effectiveness while maintaining acceptable standards of personal safety during SAR operations.

Additionally, the FWD will author one FWD SAR Article for National Ski Patrol Magazine to increase the visibility of our members serving emergency rescue operations of the CA OES.

1.1.1.4 Budget – FWD SAR Programs

$200Administrative and shared per diem cost to attend required conferences and meetings.