2020 National Emergency Services Academy

Virtual Ground Search and Rescue School

 

Thank you for your interest in the Virtual 2020 NESA GSAR School.

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Session Recordings	Task Completion / Sign-Off
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)	Feedback Form

 

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Session Recordings

 

Session 1 Prevent and Treat Injuries		O-0003: Prevent and Treat Hot Weather Injuries O-0004: Prevent and Treat Cold Weather Injuries O-0101: Identify Natural Hazards O-0102: Prevent and Treat Fatigue	View Recording
Session 2 Ground Team Equipment & Refit		O-0001: Prepare Ground Team Individual Equipment O-0002: Conduct Individual Refit	View Recording
Session 3 Distress Beacons		O-0201 Use a Compass O-0301 Determine Distress Beacon Bearing O-0302 Locate a Distress Beacon	View Recording
Session 4 Planning		O-0902 Exercise Universal Precautions P-0101 Demonstrate the Ability to Keep a Log P-0102 Conduct a Phone Alert	View Recording
Session 5 Attraction and Lost Person Actions		O-0103 Conduct Field Sanitation and Hygiene O-0407 Conduct Attraction Techniques O-0601 Conduct Actions if Lost	View Recording
Session 6 CAP Emergency Services		Guest Speaker: John Desmarais, CAP/DO CAP Emergency Services Missions	View Recording
Session 7 Search Technique, Pt. 1		O-0408 Identify Aircraft Search Clues O-0409 Identify Missing Person Search Clues O-0403 Employ Scanning Techniques While On Foot	View Recording
Session 8 Search Technique, Pt. 2		O-0404 Move As Part Of A Search Line O-0405 Communicate To Other Members Of A Search Line O-0406 Use Whistle Signals O-0410 Mark A Route O-0411 Conduct Individual Actions On Locating A Clue O-0412 Conduct Actions On Find O-0413 Participate In A Hasty Search	View Recording
Session 9 Communications for Ground Team		L-0001 Basic Communications Procedures For ES Operations L-0002 Basic Radio Operations Procedures L-0003 Employ Appropriate Radio Frequencies And Repeaters	View Recording
Session 10 Team Equipment & Universal Precautions		O-0502 Participate In A Litter Carry	View Recording

 

Task Completion / Sign-Offs

Achieving successful task completion is a 2 step process.

First is the learning phase.

This is the phase of which the student goes to classes and/or demonstrations covering the material for a specific task.

Second is the evaluation phase.

This is where the student demonstrates to a skills evaluator they can proficiently execute the task requirements.  There are 2 types of tasks, knowledge based and practical. 

• Knowledge based tasks are Tasks that require memorization.  Tasks like O-0102 Prevent and treat fatigue or P-0102 Conduct a phone alert.  These tasks are a question and answer session with a skills evaluator that cover the requirements as set in the evaluation section of each task.
• Practical tasks require the student to demonstrate they know how to complete the requirements of a task.  Tasks like O-0104 Setup shelter and O-0502 Participate in a litter carry.  These tasks require the skills evaluator to watch the student execute the requirements as set in the evaluation section of each task.

 

The Distance Learning offered in this program is part of the learning phase.  It is our intent to provide the classroom portion and some demonstrations for the students to gain the knowledge to prepare them for the evaluation phase.

 

Due to the limitations of online learning and the importance that our members are truly proficient in Search and Rescue, the evaluation phase at this time remains at the local level.

 

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FAQ

How do I access the Seminars?

All links to access the sessions are in the schedule above. Please note, that sessions have different links.

We are using Microsoft Teams Meetings for the breakout sessions. A dial-in audio-only phone number is also available for the breakout sessions if you have a limited internet connection or if you're unable to get one of the apps to work.

 

Do I need a webcam and microphone?

No.  Sessions are conducted as Live Events and no attendee audio or video is necessary.

 

Do I need a .gov email (@nesa.cap.gov) email to access Teams?

No.  You can access all the sessions via a browser without logging in. 

If you're not a cap.gov email, you'll need to choose "Continue on this browser" after clicking any of the Join Meeting links. This will allow you to simply type in your name and join as a guest user.

 

Are tasks being signed-off by evaluators?

No.  This is the classroom portion of training ONLY.  This is preparatory and familiarization, for those who are interested.  To receive a task sign-off, you will need to meet with a local Skills Evaluator, as approved by your wing.

 

Is NESA credit being granted; can I wear the NESA patch; am I authorized an NCSA ribbon?

No, this is virtual distance learning.  Your attendance in the familiarization sessions is does not meet the training criteria set forth for NESA attendance credit, NESA patch, Ground Team Badge, NCSA ribbon, or any other personnel actions.  This training is being provided as a means of preparatory and familiarization for those who want to meet with a local Skills Evaluator to demonstrate knowledge for task sign-offs.

 

Are attendance letters or personnel actions being published?

No.  Because of the nature of this training, it is designed as preparatory and familiarization for specific tasks and topics, no attendance information is gathered.  It is the member's responsibility to meet with a local Skills Evaluator for sign-offs and proof of competency.