Dec 2007 - HeadsUp

December 2007

  ‘Heads Up’ #6 edition: Have a Safe and Happy Holiday

Welcome to the December edition of Heads Up.

Well the end of yet another year has arrived with Christmas and the New Year just around the corner.

And now that the training for this year is finally over everyone can sit back and wait for the summer call outs when all that learning can be put into practice and lives can be saved.

It has been a frantic year for the SARINZ Team and the scary thing is that 2008 looks as if it is going to be even busier with 60% of budgeted courses already booked, and that’s without the refresher training or some regions and districts yet to formulate their training programmes. So the message is simple – get your courses scheduled early.

Capacity to deliver is one of our challenges so we are still actively trying to recruit more instructors particularly in the search area and also for MLSO and rescue courses – so if you are interested, or know of anybody we could tap on the shoulder please contact the office or look online.

Finally everyone here at SARINZ would like to wish you and your families a very happy and safe Christmas and we look forward to working with you again in the New Year.

Have a happy and safe holiday season.

The SARINZ Team.

Administration

Training Coordinators Forum 23-24 February 2008.

Invitations have been sent out to delegates from each region to attend the Training Coordinators Forum in Christchurch during February next year.

There will be representation from the Police and Rob Arlidge, Ian Newman and Fritz van Rooden representing LandSAR will be attending as well.

To date the response has been very positive and we look forward to the opportunity to introduce and discuss some of the more important issues that affect everyone involved in formal SAR training including:

• Refresher training
• Reflective practice
• The SAR Curriculum
• Course versus workshop approach to delivery
• Pre and post workshop activities
• Course development

LandSAR Forum:

The Sunday morning of the forum has been set aside solely for LandSAR, in conjunction with the Police, to workshop any issues they have identified.  Ian Newman will be facilitating this workshop so if anyone has any matters they want discussed please contact Ian by email ian.newman@landsar.org.nz  

It is intended that the Training Coordinators forum will be an annual event.

Rescue Training Courses

This is  a little plug for Grant and his Rescue team for more rescue courses!

Even though these guys are flat out delivering a multitude of courses to DOC, Antarctic NZ and other clients, they are still able to deliver rescue training for the wider SAR community.

As I keep getting reminded there is an ‘R’ in SAR and a large percentage of SAR incidents are rescues. Can your team afford to rely on outdated skills and practices?

For details on SARINZ Rescue training go to www.sarinz.com, visit the courses pages, and use the online booking form to register your interest.

Course Scheduling

As mentioned earlier the course calendar is filling up quickly and 2008 looks like being one of SARINZ busiest training years.

We are aware that some regions and districts have yet to formulate their future training and events programmes. To avoid missing out on preferred dates and times we would urge you to contact the office early to determine when the most likely windows of opportunity lie.  This is particularly important when considering the refresher courses which add another level of complexity to the course booking process in terms of instructor mix and availability.

Refresher Training

An email from Rob Arlidge, Business Manager, LandSAR New Zealand

To all LandSAR Regional Training Coordinators

I am pleased to advise that LandSAR will fund 4 days of search or rescue refresher training and a SAR First Aid Course (or refresher) per region in 2008.

To make it economical refreshers have to take place over 2 days at the same venue and the training should be similar e.g. a search training refresher weekend or a rescue training refresher weekend.

Suggested combinations are:

-      TCA/Search Methods

-      Tracking/Search Methods or TCA

-      Foundation Rope and Personal Rope Skills

-      SAR First Aid/Two Refresher First Aid courses

As LandSAR New Zealand is footing the bill without any government funding support such as pertaining to TPP/SARINZ courses, we will be looking to have a minimum number of people attend to conduct a course. This figure will be advised in the New Year but a figure of 16-20 is indicative.

I would be grateful if, after consultation with the LandSAR groups in your region, you could reply to this email, hopefully by the 1 February 2008, and advise me of which combination or mix of refresher training you require and suggested dates when you would like this training to be conducted.

Once we receive your reply; confirming demand in your region for refresher training, dates and mix of training; we will be looking to confirm arrangements with you as soon as possible.

Please get back to me if you have any queries or points of clarification.

Finally, I wish you all a very merry Xmas and a very happy New Year.

Thanks Rob – replies to this email can be sent to rob.arlidge@landsar.org.nz

Modulated Training is here

Modulated training is when traditional week long courses (i.e Advanced Rope and MLSO) are repackaged as modules, delivered over weekends with assignments being completed between the modules. (NB: don’t worry it has nothing to do with golf or space suits we just liked the picture!).

In the case of MLSO this is essentially taking the existing 5 day course and spreading it over 6 days allowing for a more in-depth study of the topics that really matter with further flexibility to increase the amount of scenario based learning. The Advanced Rope Rescue Course is undergoing a similar process and the modulated version is scheduled for release in May 2008.

During November the first module of the modulated version of MLSO was delivered. This module covered pre-operational matters such as SAR vulnerability assessments and preplanning, and incident notification, call out procedures, search urgency, Lost Person Behaviour and initial action (reflex tasking).

General feedback from the course was positive with both tutors optimistic that the delivery model is very workable particularly for those who cannot spare the time to complete the 5 day course.

As with all of our courses the minimum numbers are 12 with the challenge being the ability to get participants to firstly commit and then secondly to attend all 3 modules.

Other delivery models can be considered to suit your particular needs – if anyone is interested in arranging a modular version of MLSO contact Pete  pete@sarinz.comto discuss the options.

TEC   Announcement Endorses SAR Training

On December 14, 2007, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) announced its 2008-2011 investment policy. This announcement was met by unenthusiastic publicity from Polytechnics and key individual’s/agencies and has generated a fair amount of discussion on how the TEC announcement directly affects (it doesn’t) SARINZ and SAR training in NZ.

As expected, Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s (TPP) overall funding will decrease during the investment period 2008-2011. Unfortunately this has forced TPP to scale back courses, place enrolment caps on student numbers, consider dropping its no fees policy (in 2009) and repatriate out-of region courses throughout the Polytechnic. Pleasingly, these changes do not (and I repeat do not) affect the SAR programme, SARINZ or SAR training in NZ. The status quo remains. In fact SARINZ and TPP are expecting a busy training year with bookings and attendances continuing to build on previous years.

So why has the SAR Programme fared so well when other Polytechnics and TPP Programmes have been so adversely affected?

In preparing its investment plan (read delivery contract with TEC) TPP argued that the SAR Programme is of national importance, thus absolving it from within region and funding implications affecting other programmes/courses. SARINZ fully supported this position and TPP keep us informed throughout the process.

As expected, TEC agreed with TPP’s position and have recognised that the Emergency Management Programme (incorporating the SAR Programme) be granted out-of-region delivery provision. As quoted by CEO Paul Wilson, TPP, “will continue to provide specialist  provision nationally (that is delivered off Coast) across three main curriculum areas (including) SAR and Emergency Management”.

This recognition by TEC is significant as it reinforces the national importance of SAR training and quality of TPP courses offered in association with SARINZ.

SARINZ would like to congratulate TPP on ensuring the SAR programme continues to be recognised for its national importance reinforcing our goal to help others save lives.

With the investment planning and TEC announcement behind us SARINZ looks forward to continuing to work with TPP, LandSAR and other stakeholders to consistently maintain the high standard of training expected and deserved of New Zealand’s search and rescue community.

Projects

MLSO Textbook Edit

The long awaited edit of The Textbook for Managing Land Search Operations is well underway with a small dedicated team working away over the Xmas break and a projected print date of 10 May 2008.

This is not a rewrite, rather a comprehensive edit, the scope of which is to systematically review each section of the textbook and identify any changes that are necessary such as terminology, measurements and general Australasian conventions to ensure the finished text more accurately reflects New Zealand and Australian SAR activity, processes, systems and structures.

To register your interest or order the NZ edition of MLSO Textbook (note pricing is still being finalised but the text to expected to retail between $45-$55), simply email pete@sarinz.com and have your name added to the order list.

SARINZ Search and Rescue guides

Since being released four months ago 400 guides have been sold in the USA and over 300 ordered in NZ.So if you haven’t got yours yet, get in quick before the first batch is sold out.

Only $20

incl. GST, postage & packaging

Bulk discounts apply - see order form for details.

To purchase, go to www.sarinz.com , complete the order form, enclose payment and return to SARINZ.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­WINNER…   NAME THE HUT

Congratulations to Chippy Wood – DOC Ranger Punakaiki Field Centre.

The hut was of course Castle Rocks Hut at Franz Josef Glacier.

This edition – name the following hut…

The correct entries will be placed into a draw to win a $40 MTA Gift Voucher.

  Quoting ‘Name the Hut Competition’ email all answers to: headsup@sarinz.com

THE LANDSAR CORNER

MEMO

From:Ian Newman

The first four months in the job have passed quickly and I will be using the Christmas break to catch my breath. On looking back over this time I have been impressed with the honesty and support of LandSAR volunteers when I have met with their groups and discussed their needs and issues. To date I have visited two thirds of the North Island SAR groups and Fritz in the South Island has completed a similar number. We hope to have completed our first visits to all groups by Jan-Feb 08.

I would like to remind all SAR volunteers that LandSAR is here to support you and encourage you to use the LandSAR website to register as a SAR volunteer so you can access information on SAR in New Zealand and overseas, get updates on projects, training and summaries of what the Field Support Officers (FSO’s) have been or will be doing. You can also use the website or contact the FSO”s directly with suggestions, ideas for projects or any concerns you may have.

We would like to have a calendar of SAR events around the country and I would request that groups advise LandSAR of dates of AGM’s, SAREX’s or training being conducted at a local or regional level. The FSO’s will endeavour to visit as many activities as possible.

Next year is already shaping up to be busy with the implementation of new projects, LandSAR funding refresher training for the regions and the Search and Rescue conference scheduled for November in Palmerston North.

I am conscious that Search and Rescue is taking up an increasing amount of SAR volunteers time, particularly the training we are now required to undertake to maintain skills and acknowledge the time and effort that is being given.

I wish you all the best for the festive season and the New Year.

Ian Newman

North Island Field Support Officer

LandSAR NZ

A JOKE TO FINISH THE YEAR……..

Santa Claus, like all pilots, gets regular visits from the CAA, and it was shortly before Christmas when the CAA examiner arrived.

In preparation, Santa had the elves wash the sled and bathe all the reindeer. Santa got his logbook out and made sure all his paperwork was in order.

The examiner walked slowly around the sled. He checked the reindeer harnesses, the landing gear, and Rudolph's nose. He painstakingly reviewed Santa's weight and balance calculations for the sled's enormous payload.

Finally, they were ready for the test drive.
Santa got in, fastened his seatbelt and shoulder harness, and checked the compass. Then the examiner hopped in carrying, to Santa's surprise, a shotgun.

"What's that for?" asked Santa incredulously.
The examiner winked and said, "I'm not supposed to tell you this, but you're gonna lose an engine on takeoff."