Is SAR for me?
Search and rescue work requires a commitment of both time and money, with time being the greatest of the two. Working in SAR comes with an expectation of professionalism, commitment, and ethics.
LCSAR holds meetings once a month, with a full team drill quarterly. With the many training requirements of SAR work, you should plan on an additional 5 to 15 hours each month, working skills on your own, attending classes to fulfill your Task Book requirements, and training with other members of the team. If you take on the challenge of a specialized area, this adds additional time and cost. One example is K9, where our handlers train weekly as a group for approximately 6 hours, with an additional requirement outside of team trainings.
Training takes place year round regardless of weather. While LCSAR makes every attempt to attract courses and certifications locally, it is occasionally necessary for members to attend these out of County to meet the requirements of membership. Even after you have fulfilled your 1 year -month probationary period, training continues; you are required to attend 70% of all team sessions.
Physical Requirements
Search and rescue work is physical. You must be both physically fit and healthy. The potential exists for search events to last up to 12 hours a day, over multiple days. Terrain can be flat or it can be very rough. It may be hot, cold, windy, raining, or even snowing. Your search area may be full of thorns, brushy, swamp like, snow covered, overrun with poison ivy or inhabited by bees, ticks, and mosquitoes. As a member, you will also train in these same terrains and under these similar conditions. on a search you are there to help and should not become a victim yourself. If you have an illness, or any physical or psychological limitations, it is best to consult with your physician to make sure s/he approves of this activity before venturing into the field.
Considerations Before you apply
- Training takes an investment of both time and money. In your first year, you will spend upwards of 100 hours training and likely over $1,000 in gear and certifications.
- You will be expected to venture into the woods with teammates that are assigned to you.
- Accepting honest and constructive criticism is necessary.
- All of our members are ground team first and foremost; specialty areas come secondary.
- You may be tasked with locating a deceased individual.
- We are not a technical or swift water rescue team.
- Make sure that your family and employer are supportive of the time and/or financial commitment.
Applying for Membership
If you are interested in applying to be a member of Lapeer County Search and Rescue, please complete the application here.
Once you have completed the application, please scan in and email to admin@lcmsar.org or you can mail to the address on the form. On your application has been received, it will be reviewed and you will be contacted on the status of your application.