NEMSAR was founded in 1990 by a group
of individuals with interest and expertise in Search and Rescue
Operations. It has grown to a team of approximately 25 active and supporting
members dedicated to Ground Search and Rescue.
In addition some team members have additional training in search management
procedures, crew leadership, emergency medical treatment, wilderness
navigation, survival techniques, man tracking, map and compass skills, and high
angle rescue. All active members have completed the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation Wildlands Search Course.
The team owns an RV converted to a mobile command post/communications center,
a Rapid Response vehicle and two ATVs. NEMSAR provides both skilled personnel and equipment including a Mobile Communications
Center with Incident Command Post capability. NEMSAR members have a variety of
personal equipment including ATVs.
We search for lost people. For example, a hunter who does not return at the scheduled time, an elderly person who walks away, or a lost child who has wandered off while on a camping trip… We always presume the person wants to be found. We do not search for fugitives from justice or for anyone presumed dangerous. We work for local authorities and for individual families.
If you are a hiker or a camper you have a good start. With a few hours of training you will be ready to participate in a search. Gaining expertise in specialized areas of Search and Rescue can be a lifelong experience.
As available as you can make yourself. We realize that people have different work schedules and have family commitments. Some of us can arrange to be available on short notice; for others it isn't that easy.