Search and Rescue Academy
The 2024 SAR Academy has Started
The training program is held every two years. Classes be held Wednesday evenings and some weekends between February and June in Oswego and Onondaga counties.
“The academy curriculum is a thorough introduction to search and rescue techniques and meets the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) minimum requirements for search and rescue training,” said Aaron Albrecht, Team Coordinator of the Oswego County Pioneer SAR Team.
“The Oswego and Onondaga county teams frequently train together and support each other in mutual aid searches for lost persons in Central New York and across New York State,” said Jason Baleno, Wilderness SAR Team Coordinator. “We encourage anyone interested in learning more about our teams to attend our Dec. 6 meeting at the Town of Clay Highway Garage.”
The Oswego and Onondaga county teams are the primary search and rescue units called upon to look for missing or lost persons in their respective counties. They work closely with local law enforcement, NYS DEC Forest Rangers, NYS Police, and the NYS Federation of Search and Rescue Teams.
The training academy will be open to all interested persons age 18 and older, regardless of where they live. Students should be in good health and capable of passing a moderate physical fitness test. Students are expected to attend all classes, complete all assignments, and pass all written and practical testing.
The SAR academy covers map and compass, global positioning systems (GPS), grid searches, man-tracking, wilderness survival, radio communications, search techniques, cold weather emergencies, crime scene preservation, the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and a variety of other topics.