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Southern Maryland Search & Rescue Dogs, Inc.
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Search Procedures

Section I:  Call-Out

  1. Only members that have passed their SMSARD Operational test or members that have written consent from the Director will be activated to respond to search missions.
  2. Members must be in uniform and have their identification badge with them.

Section II:  Response

  1. SMSARD will only respond to a lost/missing person incident where we are requested by any of the following:

    1. Any Police agency (Sheriff's Office, State Police, Department of Natural Resources, etc.)
    2. Emergency Management Agency
    3. Fire Department
    4. Another Search & Rescue team, canine or ground team

Section III:  Dispatch

  1. The Director or Assistant Director will activate the team pager with the approved code behind the number to call for search information.
  2. When the member calls they will be given the search location and any relevant information.
  3. Responding members will comply with all Maryland Motor Vehicle Laws while responding to any Search Mission, or SMSARD function.

Section IV:  Arrival On Scene

  1. The first member arriving on the scene will identify themselves to the Police and or Fire Officer on scene.
  2. The member should obtain the victim(s) information, what has been done so far, last time seen, location, and obtain a brief history as to why the person is missing.
  3. When the SMSARD Search Trailer arrives, it will be set up and planning started on the search.
  4. During this time, a member will be assigned to complete the Lost Person Questionnaire.
  5. The Incident Commander will assign ICS positions, and a radio and history log will start from the Documentation Section.

Section V:  Resources

  1. Person(s) responding from any organization or an individual will not be accepted by SMSARD unless the following items are completed:

    1. Properly identified, (Team Identification, Drivers License, Photo Identification)
    2. Physically capable
    3. Mentally capable
    4. Properly prepared with clothing, supplies and equipment

  2. In the event another Canine team is called by another agency, SMSARD will make every effort to coordinate with that team during the search.
  3. In the event another Canine team is needed, the senior team member and the Incident Commander will confer and make the decision to call them or not.

    1. The Search & Rescue Dogs of Maryland will be the first canine team contacted to assist with a search.

Section VI:  Suspending A Search

  1. Search Missions may be suspended under the following conditions:

    1. Investigating Authority (Police)
    2. Weather
    3. Safety of searchers and/or dogs
    4. Unresolved clues
    5. Victim is confirmed to have left the area

Section VII:  Demobilization

  1. No member of SMSARD will leave the Search Incident until the victim has been located or the search suspended and the base camp is broken down. In the event an emergency arises or other time constraints arise, then the member must sign-out from base camp so that all members are accounted for. If the member can only be at the search for a limited time, then the Incident Commander and the Communications Section must be made aware of the time constraint.

Section VIII:  Debriefing

  1. Once the Demobilization is complete, debriefing of the search and critique will take place.

    1. Discussion should include what went right and what went wrong.
    2. Suggestions for the next search.
    3. Overall feelings.
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