Anatomy of a Search & Rescue Operation
by John Bullaro, Lead Evaluator
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Search & Rescue Unit
Recently, friends and neighbors of mine asked why SLO Search & Rescue didn’t launch a search for George Carpenter, who was first reported missing on December 23, 2009. The answer was simple; we had no idea where to begin looking. It’s true, George’s family and friends assembled on their own to look for George shortly after he was reported missing. That often happens when a person goes missing with no “Last known location.” This effort is a way family and close friends feel empowered when something happens to someone they love. But in the parlance of SAR operations, George could have been anywhere in the “Rest of the World (ROW). Being an all volunteer unit, we have to use our resources to the best advantage.
Weeks later, a CHP helicopter spotted George’s truck parked deep in a wilderness area 31 miles north of Cambria and eleven miles east up a windy, treacherous, narrow, dirt road on a mountain top bordering Camp Hunter-Liggett. On the week-end of January 22, the Monterey County SAR launched a search in an around the location of George’s truck. One week later, January 31, San Luis Obispo County Search & Rescue was called on to assist Monterey SAR in looking for George.
It should help others whose loved ones need locating and rescuing to know how a search is launched and run. Keep in mind, the geography and time of year may change the protocols of a search. However, they usually proceed along a similar path.
To initiate a search & rescue (SAR) response, a missing person’s report is given to the Watch Commander at the Sheriff’s Department. The Watch Commander decides if a SAR team is necessary. He/she calls the SAR Duty Officer who sends out a page, email, and cell phone alert to all SAR members. A list of specially trained SAR members comprises a management team of an Incident Commander (IC), an Operations officer (OPS), and a planning person (Plans).
A staging area is selected, usually near the Last Known Location (LKL) or Place Last Seen (PLS) for the subject. This is important. A search operation cannot be initiated unless there is a LKL or PLS. Our ground teams, the K9 teams, and trackers need a starting point. The above scenario usually takes no more than thirty minutes.
An SAR equipment vehicle and a communication vehicle are dispatched to the staging area. For night searches, floodlights and a generator are used. All terrain vehicle (ATVs) are used in wilderness areas, along with trained riders. Meanwhile, ground teams are assembling at the staging area and sign in. Responding members make up two or three person ground teams by Ops, while Plans sections off the search areas with the highest probability of subject discovery. At this point, usually one-and-a-half to two hours has passed from the time the Watch Commander is contacted to when teams are deployed.
If additional assets are needed, the Incident Commander, along with the Sheriff’s Liaison, will activate the Posse, CHP helicopter, and the Aero Squadron. All the while, ground teams are in the field searching, using sophisticated search techniques. Our technical team (mountain rescue) and our medical response team (EMTs) are used as ground searchers.
What the public doesn’t know, we rarely call off a search. Search teams can stay in the field for two to three days, depending upon available resources. A search can be suspended pending new clues or new information. Remember, nothing can happen until we have a PLS or LKL.
If you’re looking for adventure and to be a service to out great community, volunteer to be part of this highly regarded Search & Rescue Unit. You must be at least 21 years old, no upper age limit. We will train you. Stop by our monthly meetings at the Sheriff’s Honor Farm, off Kansas Avenue and Highway 1, the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 P.M. As evidenced by the Haiti Disaster on television and news media, SAR is a worldwide community of dedicated men and women.
A future article will describe SAR training. Stay tuned.
John is an Emeritus Professor in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Studies from California State University, Northridge, and a retired Lecturer from Cal Poly. For thirty-four years he has taught classes in Commercial Recreation, Tourism Planning, Management and Leadership, and Wilderness Survival. He earned his Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University in Organizational Development and Curriculum Design in Higher Education.
John joined SLO search and rescue team in 1994. He moved to Los Osos in 1993 from Southern California, and now lives in Atascadero with wife, Cynthia. He completed California's Managing The Search Function and the Air Force's Inland Search & Rescue Planning. He is a National SAR trainer, and an EMT. John is a current member of the Atascadero Writer's Club and can be contacted by calling 805-440-9529 or at JohnBullaro@slocoastjournal.com.
Wolf image on banner by Don Joseph.
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