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Hot Topic Chatham Search and Rescue Team to the Rescue
15 May 2010, Volunteers from the Chatham County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) completed the requirements to become a nationally certified search and rescue (SAR) team by Instructors from the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR).
The 18 member volunteer team began their training in March and completed NASAR's first certification level, "Introduction to Search and Rescue." Upon completion of the written exam, team members were certified at the SARTECH III level.
On the 15th of May 2010, members of the CERT SAR team tested for NASAR's second certification level, SARTECH II, in which they were required to demonstrate comprehensive man-tracking techniques, clue identification, route and area searches, rope skills and land navigation. In addition, each member of the CERT SAR team was required to carry a fully equipped 24 hour pack as mandated by NASAR. 13 CERT SAR members successfully completed the SARTECH II certification.
The Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) would like to congratulate the CERT SAR team members on their success at completing the national level exams. Though the training was physically and mentally challenging and emotional, the CERT SAR team members are honored to have had the opportunity to train at the national level. Their commitment provides local officials with an additional resource to augment law enforcement and fire fighting search and rescue capabilities.
The CERT SAR team hopes that they will never be activated but if they are, each team member now has the skills to assist in conducting a professional and organized missing person search.
To learn more about the Chatham County CERT program, please click on the "Volunteer Tab" above.
