SAR Coordinates - June 2004
 

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Commander's Corner

Now that Forest closures are in force, the number of missions will be reduced. We still need to be ready. With summer almost upon us, we need to readjust our thinking regarding equipment needed for a search or rescue.

With the West Nile Virus being carried by mosquitoes in Arizona, some good repellant might be good to have on a search or rescue.

Hydration systems need to be inspected for leaks and ready to go. Extra water is always good to have, if not for yourself, for someone else.

With warmer weather, proper foot ware is important. Blisters are easier to come by and some moleskin would be good to carry along with extra socks.

Be aware that rattlesnakes are out. I encountered a very active rattlesnake in the woods a month ago.

Be aware of the presence of Bees. If you find yourself amongst a lot of bees, slowly leave the area. To be attached by a swarm of killer bees would be one of your worst nightmares.

When on a search, we have been asked to hold our current position and spend the night. The nights can be very cool, even in the summer. Be prepared for this. A little preparation can make the night a lot more pleasant.

Stay active and stay healthy
Dave Pirtle 507

Don't forget; the meetings this month are June 8th
for the Board and June 10th for the General Meeting.

LEADERS AND LEGENDS  By Jane Boyles

FRED, FRITZ AND AMIL

With the passing of the law in Arizona to make each county sheriff responsible for search and rescue within their borders, the sheriff's posses were handed a new responsibility. Creating a state academy to train the volunteers all in the same manner meant writing protocol and standard texts for the instructors. The Desert Search Unit (DSU) stepped up to become the leaders in tracking expertise. The leaders of this group were Fred, Fritz and Amil. All three men were exceptional with their ability, knowledge and willingness to teach others what they knew about tracking the lost, no matter what the terrain. All three had regular jobs, families and hobbies, but gave endlessly of them selves to assist the State Sheriff's Association in their effort to standardize at a high level of expertise the ground trackers in the state. If you have taken an academy in the past, chances are you either had one or more of them as instructors or someone who was trained by them. They were big promoters of the necessity of sign and clue preservation, clue awareness and using the walking stick marked with inches and rubber bands or o-rings to measure the size of the track and the stride of the subject. They created a slide presentation used around the state to sharpen the awareness of the students in observation techniques. As Ab Taylor was the guru of tracking in California SAR, these men were the gurus in Arizona. We knew we could count on them when we did a call out. They were first on the scene and last to leave.

Under the leadership of James Langston and Al Shoenstene, Maricopa County held spring training for all search and rescue posses. This weekend was devoted to creating a complete training session from command to the field trackers. One spring, James held a large session at Mesquite Wash on Highway 87. Fred, Fritz and Amil were the "lost javalina hunter" subjects. If you have ever observed the terrain as you drove by that area, it is very hilly, rocky and deceptively difficult to traverse. After a good briefing, the teams were all given assignments. Portable radio communication was terrible due to the hills. Clues were found, a spent shell, coins on a rock, a gum wrapper and other small items possibly left behind by the "hunters". But the subjects could not be found!! Hours were spent using every technique that all trackers had learned in their classes. As
daylight was ending, James dispatched a vehicle to a high spot to call the lost hunters back to command. Grinning as they stepped out of the truck, they knew they had given the trackers a run for their money. We had a good laugh over it, but it reinforced the reason for training, practice and observation as the three gurus told the guys where mistakes were made as they watched the searchers from high vantage points. Everyone learned something from the day.

Amil, a big quiet Indian retired from his job to spend time at his craft. He is a wonderful artist who has demonstrated his skills at the Smithsonian Institute and other prestigious museums and shows around the country. Fred has retired to Heber where his wife works for the Post Office. And Fritz is still around. He shows up at the annual SAR training and helps where he can. Three great men who have given so much to make Arizona a well oiled machine when it comes to Search and Rescue.

THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE




DATABASE

Database Update

For all squad members using the database, version 3 will be available at the June meeting. You will get a new installation CD that will completely erase any previous system and install the new version. Your current password will not be changed.

All new database users who have submitted their password will also receive the system at the June squad meeting.

So what has changed?

1 - The new version has a different access method that makes it easier to find the information that you want.
2 - The inventory portion of the database has been removed.
3 - Any of the blank ICS forms can be printed as needed.
4 - You can print blank sign-in sheets, debrief forms, mission summary forms, and tracking footprint diagrams.
5 - Attendance reports have been optimized for any specific question.
6 - Squad documents (Policies and Procedures, By-Laws, Radio Frequency Listings, etc.) have been updated.
7 - A new safety reference section has been added. Short information sheets on various safety items will be available. Sample topics include Dehydration, Hypothermia, Cold Weather Gear, etc. Additional information will be added over the next few months.

For the curious, Ira Gibel, Dave Pirtle, and Mike Taylor are currently testing the new system (and will probably answer any questions).

... Les Hulse (527)


FUNDRAISING

The following events are planned and we will need assistance from all possible to staff the booth at each;

June 12-13: Strawberry Festival We need help in traffic control and ticket sales.

June 15:  Letter Stuffing (Peal and Stick Party. Time and Location to be announced at General Meeting.)

July 3-4:  Pine/Strawberry Arts and Craft Show {ticket sales)

Website

Tonto Rim SAR Members can now have your very own email address through our site. Just contact our Webmaster at Jack to arrange for it, no cost to you or us.


And we are promoted here, the Rim Country Volunteer site; http://www.volunteerinpayson.org/vip/vip_volunteer_op.shtml

June 2004 Training Schedule

Note change in dates for this item: NEW DATES-12 & 13 Jun. Rope Certification (1st Half)- Time: 0800 - Place: Squad Bldg. Strawberry - instructor Roger Miotto assisted by rope instructors.

23 Jun. Wed Baker ATV Exercise: Time 0800 - Stage at: 465125/3812500 - Supplies: Quad Maps (Pine, Long Valley, Kehl Ridge, Calloway Butte) Coconino FS Map, GPS, Scales, Ruler, Pencil, Paper, Food, Radio, Batteries, and Water (may be canceled by forest closure).

26 Jun. Sat Man Tracking Classroom - Time: 0800 - Place: Squad Bldg Strawberry- J Martin and Les Hulse instructors.

10 & 11 July Rope Certification (2nd half) - Time: 0800 - Place: TBA - Roger Miotto and rope instructors in charge.

23,24,25 July Joint Overnight Training with Maricopa Posse at selected command site on the Twin Buttes Rd.

14 Aug. Sat Man Tracking Certification- Time and Location TBA- Instructor J. Martin.

Kassandra arrived in Payson via several other states. She was born in Norman, Oklahoma; grew up in Boulder, Colorado, and did high school in Phoenix at Moon Valley. From there she went to Michigan to attend Hillside College, where she earned BS degrees in Biology and History/German.

1991 was her year!! She graduated college, worked 6 months as a Pleasant Valley Hotshot then met and married David! And, she started her Flight Attendant career with Continental. Her moving around early in life now keeps her flying around as she only does international flights to Europe, South America and Southeast Asia. She and David are on perpetual vacation.

And she's busy helping David with his photography business, which she took up herself in college. They shoot weddings, so their weekends are especially busy. She lives in Round Valley and has four dogs that depend on her. David got her interested in Tonto Rim Search and Rescue and she has now been a member for nearly 7 years. She loves to hike and to serve the community. The volunteer schedule fits her busy life. The SAR people are great and it's a lot of fun. She helped in the search last year for the rock hound off the control road that was cancelled to find the autistic boy in Round Valley. When he was found, she cried. "It was such a good feeling to find him."

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Thanks to those who contributed to this issue of the newsletter.
Mike 502 oldfogey502@trsar.org