November 2006

‘HeadsUp’ #3 Pre Conference edition: The way forward...

Hi all,

Welcome to the second edition of the SARINZ ‘Heads Up’.

Firstly a big thanks for all of the positive feedback regarding our first edition – it was very pleasing to see the comments which further illustrated the need for us to improve the ways we communicate to our colleagues within the search and rescue sector.

Secondly I must apologise for the lateness of this edition and also the brevity in terms of the contents – there just seems to be an awful lot going on at the moment and not enough hours in the day to get it done.   There were also a number of issues raised in the last edition that have yet to be totally resolved and it is anticipated that some resolution might be forthcoming during the NLSAR Conference 2006 in Dunedin this coming weekend.

It has therefore been decided to split this edition into a pre-conference edition and a post- conference edition in which we hope to include a summary of all things pertaining to training – particularly for those of you who weren’t able to attend the conference.

I would like to welcome on board, as a regular contributor, Stu Drake from Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP).  Stu is the Programme Coordinator for Search and Rescue at TPP and I’m sure he will be only too happy to answer any curly questions you may have for him.

Once again I would be grateful for any contributions from the Regions or suggestions regarding topics you want covered – and as always feedback will be appreciated.

In this edition we will be covering the following topics:

Administration

NZLSAR conference

Conundrum winners

SARINZ Sitrep letter

Refreshers

New course – helicopter/aircraft safety

New SARINZ website

Introducing new staff

If you have received ‘Heads Up’ from a colleague or mate, and would like to receive your own issue then email: headsup@sarinz.com. Until the next issue – keep up the good work and stay safe.

Kind regards

Pete Corbett

WHAT THE….

Ok, we know that some pretty interesting things happen on SAR ops and there are some hilarious stories. This section is designed to generate more!

Insert caption

Refer to the above photograph and write an appropriate or funny caption - the best caption will win a $40 MTA Gift Voucher.

 E-mail all captions to: headsup@sarinz.com

PS. sorry Roger just couldn’t resist it!

THIS MONTHS QUOTE

Make the most

Of the best

And the least

Of the worst.

Robert Louise Stevenson, 1850 - 1894

ADMINISTRATION

This is the reminder, observation and occasional gripe section. Feel free to call me if you want to discuss these in person: 0800 4 727469

Participant’s details prior to courses

Recently we have been requesting a list of participant names, and in some cases their dates of birth, a few weeks prior to the start of a course.  This obviously creates a fair bit more work for the poor overworked course contact, however there is good reason for it, which in the long run will save work for everyone involved in the course – including participant and course contact!.

The courses for which we have been requesting these details are typically either:

Those requiring the completion of prerequisites e.g. Clue Processing; or

Those involving NZQA Unit Standards e.g. CIMS for SAR

Course requiring Prerequisites

The issue regarding prerequisites was outlined in the last edition of ‘Heads Up’ and there is no need to repeat it here – if you still have queries regarding prerequisites then please give me a call to discuss.

NZQA Unit Standard Courses

NZQA Unit Standards is a slightly different situation in that when you attend a course containing NZQA Unit Standards you must register with NZQA and pay a one off ‘hook-on’ fee of $25.  In a lot of cases participants turn up on a course and aren’t really sure what their status with NZQA is.  This introduces an element of uncertainty and creates an awful lot of extra work after the course for the instructors, course contacts and participants, chasing up those who thought they were registered with NZQA and weren’t – and vice versus.

What is the ‘hook on fee’?

Believe me it is significantly easier for SARINZ to verify the participant’s NZQA status prior to the course – everyone knows where they are at with NZQA and if necessary can come to the course prepared to pay the ‘hook-on’ fee.

As an aside, for the payment of the $25 ‘hook-on’ fee, we would prefer cheques made out to Tai Poutini Polytechnic – this means the money goes directly to those who facilitate the registration. 

NOTE:  Please make the cheques out ‘not negotiable’ and cross out the words ‘or bearer’ – for those who haven’t been watching the television series ‘Fair Go’ recently.

Once again if you still have concerns or queries then please call to discuss 0800 4 SARINZ (0800 4 727 469).

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SARINZ ‘Sitrep’ Letter

In September we sent out a letter to all those persons who had previously completed courses with us requesting confirmation, and/or updating their contact details.

Our intention, like this newsletter, was to facilitate better communication between the education provider and the student – and to position ourselves whereby we can provide the student with current information regarding the progress they are making towards attaining a SAR qualification.

To facilitate this process we need to know how to contact those people.

It was very pleasing receive more than 700 responses, however a number were marked ‘Return-to-sender’.

If you didn’t receive a letter and would like to receive further correspondence from SARINZ, then please contact us by phone, fax or email to request a copy of the letter and also take the opportunity to confirm your contact details with us.

By the way congratulations to the following 25 winners of the $20 MTA petrol vouchers who replied to the letter within the stipulated timeframe – well done!

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COURSES & TRAINING

Course Calendar

I have not included a table of available dates in this edition as very shortly all of this information will be available on our new website.

The new website will be up and running at the commencement of the conference although it may take a week or so longer to achieve full functionality.

From what I have seen so far the inclusion of the course calendar is potentially quite exciting and can only enhance the existing training programmes around the country.

A full description of the course calendar will be included in the next edition of ‘Heads Up’.

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RNZPC MLSO Courses

I have recently been receiving enquiries from people wanting to know how they can register their interest in attending one of the two MLSO courses to be held at the Royal New Police College early next year:

29 January – 2 February

5 February – 9 February (all dates inclusive).

I made some enquiries with Senior Sergeant Geoff Logan from the Office of the Commissioner and he had this to say:

“Police members get nominated by their District SAR Coordinator through their Training Service Centre who then comes to me and I make the final list”.

“For NZLSAR folks, their nomination goes through their districts to Phil Whitelaw, the National Field Officer.”

These national courses are an excellent way to get people from all over the country mixing together, networking and sharing stories which can only enhance the overall learning experience.

Unfortunately not everyone who wants to attend can, so it is suggested that if you want to be part of future MLSO courses to keep an eye on www.sarinz.com, contact your local district or regional training coordinator or give me (Pete Corbett) a call 0800 4 727 469.

View details of the MLSO course here.

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REFRESHERS

Over the last few months we have received an increased number of enquiries from regions and districts asking whether we can tailor a refresher course to suit their particular needs. The answer is yes - though in most cases a cost is incurred. Please let me explain. 

Presently refresher courses do not receive government funding therefore a compromise must be reached to share the cost of delivery. The bottom line is that we can deliver refreshers for all our courses ‘at a cost’ – and that is at the heart of the refresher problem.

In conjunction with TPP and NZLSAR, we are actively working through refresher solutions on a case by case basis. We will obviously keep you informed of developments.

In the meantime, if your region or district would like to explore options (incl. the costs) to deliver a tailored refresher programme then please contact 0800 4 SARINZ (0800 4 727 469).

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HELICOPTER AND AIRCRAFT SAFETY

In the first quarter of 2007 SARINZ intend to roll out a one day introductory level Helicopter and Aircraft Safety Course.  The impetus for the development of this new course has come from multiple requests from around the country.

This course will be a combination of theory and practical sessions covering most aspects of Aircraft operations:

• Hazard Identification
• Approaching and Exiting An Aircraft
• Communication
• Selection of Landing Sites
• Hover Entry and Exits
• Emergency Procedures

Practical sessions will include flying time and focus on the often used practice of hover entry and exits as well as emergency procedures and selection of landing sites.

There is a yet to be determined fee per person to assist in meeting the costs of running the course and organisations requesting the course will have to organise or meet the costs of minimum helicopter time of approximatley 1 hour (NOTE: This has been amended from the original 2 hours as mentioned in the pdf version).

This course is being developed and reviewed in partnership with several key aircraft operators to insure it meets current best practice.

All details, once confirmed, will appear in the first edition of ‘Heads Up’ early next year and online at www.sarinz.com so stay tuned to find out more.

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SARINZ PEOPLE

Post Course Administrator

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Peter Dobbs (Jnr) to the SARINZ team as our Post Course Administrator.

Peter is the son of Peter Dobbs (Snr) who does a lot of work for us behind the scenes writing the various standards and dealing with all things academia.

Peter will also be working with his father on the academic side of the business but his role as the Post Course Administrator is vital to the smooth running of SARINZ.

Peter receives all of the course correspondence from the instructors and ensures that everything is in order prior to it being sent to Tai Poutini Polytechnic. 

In the past Margaret Burgess completed all these important tasks, since she left Peter has taken over chasing you for birth certificates, evidence of a prerequisite, NZQA hook-on fees or any other information that is required – an unenviable task at times. Peter also ensures that certificates are issued in a timely manner, and who can check your NZQA status and assist in all aspects of post course administration.

Peter has a military background having spent the last 7 years as a logistics officer in the NZ Army, recently retiring as a Captain.

In his spare time he enjoys surfing, snowboarding and occasionally sky diving however I imagine it is becoming more and more difficult to squeeze some of those activities in with the recent arrival of his first child – well done team!

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NZLSAR CONFERENCE

As you will be aware the NZLSAR Conference 2006 is on this weekendand SARINZ is very proud to be a sponsor. If you are attending, please pay us a visit. SARINZ has a stand where you chat to us about courses, explore the prototype search and rescue wheels (more on these in the next issue), and generally catch up on gossip. Look forward to seeing you there.

If you can’t make the conference, keep an eye on www.sarinz.com where we will be uploading photos and stories about the conference on daily basis.

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TPP NEWS  

Contributor:  Stuart Drake Programme Coordinator (SAR) stuartd@tpp.ac.nz

Tai Poutini Polytechnic, based in Greymouth on the South Island’s West Coast, has a collaborative partnership with SARINZ to provide search & rescue training throughout New Zealand.  Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) has the role of being the standard setting body and provides the link to tertiary education funding.

Staff

Joe Hayes has been with the Search & Rescue Programme since 2003 and has recently taken up the role of Head of Department Emergency Services. 

Stu Drake is the Programme Coordinator for Search & Rescue.  Stu has been with the polytech since May, coming from St John Ambulance where he worked as a paramedic.  Stu also had 10 years with DOC on the West Coast and Mount Cook where he was involved in Search & Rescue.

Lisa Todd provides clerical support for the programme.  This role involves managing enrolments, and the day–to-day administration of student records.

Enrolment Documentation

 A plea to all first-time students.  To ensure your enrolment is trouble free it is vital that you provide a verified copy of your birth certificate or passport which you should take along with you to the course.  Giving us this information will help to ensure that you will have your course results correctly recorded on the TPP database and NZQA record of learning (if the course included Units Standards).

Certificates, Transcripts and Records of Learning

A TPP/SARINZ certificate will be awarded at the completion of each course.  These are mailed directly to you so it is important that you let us know if your address details change at any time.

TPP will issue you with a transcript detailing the units covered during the academic year (January – December).  You can expect to receive your 2006 transcript in February 2007.

NZQA unit standards such as those covered in First Aid, 4WD and CIMS courses will be recorded on your NZQA record of learning.  NZQA has a system to enable you to view your ROL online.  Visit http://www.nzqa.govt.nz  for more details. 

If you have any queries regarding the enrolments, transcripts of any other TPP related matters you should contact:

Stu Drake: Email – stuartd@tpp.ac.nz   Freephone – 0800 800 411 ext 7863, or

Lisa Todd: Email – lisat@tpp.ac.nz   Freephone – 0800 800 411 ext 7746

Next Issue

Search & Rescue Qualifications – the new structure.

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CONUNDRUM WINNERS

It gives me great pleasure to be able to announce the winners of last editions Conundrum Competition.

You might recall that the search conundrum pictured a circular impression in the ground which had a diameter of about 110mm – the question was what object made this impression.

Well the correct answer was:

The base of a gas cylinder.

Note: It was not right to say that a gas cooker made the impression as there was no evidence of the cooker – only the canister.  If you had seen burnt foliage at the same height as the burner in conjunction with discarded used matches and remnants of cooked food nearby then yes it would have been reasonable to make that deduction.  Anyone confused – want to know more – then enrol in the next Clue Processing course!

Anyhow I’m pleased to say the winner of this draw was Darren McQuilkin from Taupo.

This conundrum pictured a knot and you had to name the knot and provide an example where it might be used.

The correct answer was:

either a Yosemite Knot or a Bowline with a re-thread.

No sorry – Double Bowline was not correct.

And you could use this knot to tie into your harness or into an anchor point in much the same way you would use a Figure 8 knot.

I’m pleased to say that the winner of this draw was Kevin McGuiness of Wellington SAR.

Kevin also went into the draw for the search conundrum for providing a correct answer.

Well done to both Darren and Kevin – they both received $50 MTA petrol vouchers for their efforts.

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