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Welcome to our New Member Protocols and Training Information
Welcome to our New Member Protocols and Training Information
IMPORTANT BRUNSWICK SEARCH AND RESCUE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION AS OF JANUARY 2025
We've been very successful in expanding our membership over the past two years and have now reached a size we deem optimal for response to emergencies and for our intense training protocols. As a result, we will place new candidates on a waiting list. As slots open, we will notify those selected from the waiting list to proceed with meeting the requirements for membership. Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to meeting you. Note that Auxiliary Membership remains open and available for those who want to become a part of BSAR but may not meet the physical requirements for mission readiness and training activities.
Auxiliary Members participate in fundraising, grant writing, and educational activities, including our Hug-A-Tree (HAT) program for children. They may also learn or contribute SAR skills such as mission operations, SARTOPO, and others.
We will plan to launch a Junior membership for those who are between the ages of 15 and 18 years old.
Note: Auxiliary or Junior Membership will not be counted toward the membership cap. Provisional Members already in the pipeline will be exempt.
We've been very successful in expanding our membership over the past two years and have now reached a size we deem optimal for response to emergencies and for our intense training protocols. As a result, we will place new candidates on a waiting list. As slots open, we will notify those selected from the waiting list to proceed with meeting the requirements for membership. Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to meeting you. Note that Auxiliary Membership remains open and available for those who want to become a part of BSAR but may not meet the physical requirements for mission readiness and training activities.
Auxiliary Members participate in fundraising, grant writing, and educational activities, including our Hug-A-Tree (HAT) program for children. They may also learn or contribute SAR skills such as mission operations, SARTOPO, and others.
We will plan to launch a Junior membership for those who are between the ages of 15 and 18 years old.
Note: Auxiliary or Junior Membership will not be counted toward the membership cap. Provisional Members already in the pipeline will be exempt.
Board of Directors:
Chief: Doug
Deputy Chief and Logistics: Les
Treasurer: Marci
Secretary: John
Board Member Emerita: Christy
Board Member at Large: Melissa
Board Member at Large: Mark
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Chief: Doug
Deputy Chief and Logistics: Les
Treasurer: Marci
Secretary: John
Board Member Emerita: Christy
Board Member at Large: Melissa
Board Member at Large: Mark
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Member Information
Member Resources & ICS/IS Forms
(For BSAR Administrative Polices and Standard Operating Procedures... Click Here)
Meetings
We usually meet after a scheduled training if needed. Potential new members are welcome to attend a training. Be sure to check with us first to be sure we are having a meeting as sometimes we may be at a search. Send email to our secretary John by clicking on his name above.
We usually meet after a scheduled training if needed. Potential new members are welcome to attend a training. Be sure to check with us first to be sure we are having a meeting as sometimes we may be at a search. Send email to our secretary John by clicking on his name above.
SAR Training
We train formally two to three times monthly as a team with additional training available. Our training will consist of many aspects of search and rescue including man-tracking, land navigation, map reading, first aide, etc. Our members do not have to work a SAR K9 to be on our team. There are many other specialty areas to consider. Click on our secretary link above under Board of Directors.
All members are required to complete a NC Land Search Field Team Member Course which is a two-weekend class providing the basic search skills. We will help you prepare and register for this class which will require you to have certain equipment, packs, and spend the night in the woods, practicing night training. We also accept the FUNSAR Course and the Search and Rescue Technician examination (SAR Tech III or higher) and encourage you to plan for your next certification skills to achieve the SAR Tech II and the highest level, the SAR Tech I certifications from the National Association of Search and Rescue. You are not required to do the NASAR Certifications if you complete the NC Land Search Field Team Member Class. Or you may provide us with information on equivalent training. Do not fear, we will help you all along the way.
We train formally two to three times monthly as a team with additional training available. Our training will consist of many aspects of search and rescue including man-tracking, land navigation, map reading, first aide, etc. Our members do not have to work a SAR K9 to be on our team. There are many other specialty areas to consider. Click on our secretary link above under Board of Directors.
All members are required to complete a NC Land Search Field Team Member Course which is a two-weekend class providing the basic search skills. We will help you prepare and register for this class which will require you to have certain equipment, packs, and spend the night in the woods, practicing night training. We also accept the FUNSAR Course and the Search and Rescue Technician examination (SAR Tech III or higher) and encourage you to plan for your next certification skills to achieve the SAR Tech II and the highest level, the SAR Tech I certifications from the National Association of Search and Rescue. You are not required to do the NASAR Certifications if you complete the NC Land Search Field Team Member Class. Or you may provide us with information on equivalent training. Do not fear, we will help you all along the way.
K9 Training
K9 training is held at all regular training times in addition to personally scheduled additional times. If you are considering training a K9 with us, please know that you will be required to attended a minimum of six trainings prior to bringing your K9 to the training sessions. You will learn how to train, be a missing person in our training sessions, and gain an understanding of what is involved in extensive K9 training prior to training your dog. So if you do not already have a dog, hold off getting one until you decide that SAR K9 training is for you. We will help you select an appropriate candidate when you are ready. Your K9 must be in top physical condition and expected to continue to have good health. Remember, you will be putting in many hours to prepare yourself and him for this worthy task. Send email to our secretary John by clicking on his name above for more information.
K9 training is held at all regular training times in addition to personally scheduled additional times. If you are considering training a K9 with us, please know that you will be required to attended a minimum of six trainings prior to bringing your K9 to the training sessions. You will learn how to train, be a missing person in our training sessions, and gain an understanding of what is involved in extensive K9 training prior to training your dog. So if you do not already have a dog, hold off getting one until you decide that SAR K9 training is for you. We will help you select an appropriate candidate when you are ready. Your K9 must be in top physical condition and expected to continue to have good health. Remember, you will be putting in many hours to prepare yourself and him for this worthy task. Send email to our secretary John by clicking on his name above for more information.
Application Process
To obtain an application package, click the link below. You will also be required to complete a criminal records check and a clean driving record. Instructions for doing this is described below. You may go to the Brunswick County Jail at the Government Complex in Bolivia to have your fingerprints done on an FBI card for free. Then follow the instructions below to send them in to the FBI. Contact us with questions or additional information. Email our secretary John by clicking on his name above.
Click on the links below to get your application process started.
Application Link
Click the link to the left to download a Brunswick Search Team application.
Then go to your local Sheriff's Office and request an FBI finger print card and prints. That card will then be mailed directly to the FBI with the information below... a form and a check to cover costs. If they ask whether you prefer ink or digital...say ink.
FBI Criminal Records Check:
We require a clean record. You may click the link at left to download the form which is required to be sent directly to the FBI Offices along with a certified check or money order for $18.
FBI Criminal Records Check: https://forms.fbi.gov/identity-history-summary-checks-review/q384893984839334.pdf
NC Driving History: We also require a relatively clean drivers record. You can go online to request the records check.
Turn everything into one of the board members and we will process that application at our next scheduled training.
After that you are welcome to attend all of our training sessions and meetings.
We will explain more in depth about the training which we require to become operational and provide schedules for all of that at that time. We always welcome new members.
Remember you may choose to work a dog but you do not have to work a dog to become a member.
We have lots of jobs which need to be filled which do not require a dog.
However, you must be in good physical health and have the time to commit to training and searches.
We look forward to working with you to locate lost or missing persons.
To obtain an application package, click the link below. You will also be required to complete a criminal records check and a clean driving record. Instructions for doing this is described below. You may go to the Brunswick County Jail at the Government Complex in Bolivia to have your fingerprints done on an FBI card for free. Then follow the instructions below to send them in to the FBI. Contact us with questions or additional information. Email our secretary John by clicking on his name above.
Click on the links below to get your application process started.
Application Link
Click the link to the left to download a Brunswick Search Team application.
Then go to your local Sheriff's Office and request an FBI finger print card and prints. That card will then be mailed directly to the FBI with the information below... a form and a check to cover costs. If they ask whether you prefer ink or digital...say ink.
FBI Criminal Records Check:
We require a clean record. You may click the link at left to download the form which is required to be sent directly to the FBI Offices along with a certified check or money order for $18.
FBI Criminal Records Check: https://forms.fbi.gov/identity-history-summary-checks-review/q384893984839334.pdf
NC Driving History: We also require a relatively clean drivers record. You can go online to request the records check.
Turn everything into one of the board members and we will process that application at our next scheduled training.
After that you are welcome to attend all of our training sessions and meetings.
We will explain more in depth about the training which we require to become operational and provide schedules for all of that at that time. We always welcome new members.
Remember you may choose to work a dog but you do not have to work a dog to become a member.
We have lots of jobs which need to be filled which do not require a dog.
However, you must be in good physical health and have the time to commit to training and searches.
We look forward to working with you to locate lost or missing persons.
Resources and Training Information
Incident Command Classes required to be Operational in BSAR. (These are available free and online as independent study classes.
- https://www.fema.gov/nims-training ICS Courses online: Click Here
- ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System
- ICS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
- IS-700 NIMS, an Introduction
- IS-800 National Response Framework (NRF), an Introduction
In addition, search commanders will take: ICS 300 and ICS 400 which must be done in person.
The following courses are also recommended:
- IS-5.A: An Introduction to Hazardous Materials - FEMA Training
- IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness - FEMA Training
- IS-10.A: Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness
- IS-35.23: FEMA Safety Orientation 2023 - EMI - IS
And of course, there are many more courses the member can elect to take. Just visit this link for a listing of free online courses provided through the Federal Emergency Management System: Click Here
Additional training which may be provided by BSAR or available on NC Terms
- Crime Scene Preservation
- CPR/First Aide
- K9 First Aid
- Map Reading
- Land Navigation
- Man Tracking
- Search Strategy
- NC Land Search Field Team Member (NC-8100)