Regional Arizona Mounted Search and Rescue offers several unique opportunities to volunteer your time.  You may serve as an Associate member, performing mounted or non-mounted community services, helping your community without having to go into the field.  Adults with an equine, may also train to be on the Mounted Search and Rescue team.  Below, you will find descriptions and requirements for all the opportunities we offer. Pick the track that works best for you.

NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS:
Commitment of one year of service for volunteers is required. This is a voluntary, unpaid position. Meeting attendance and participation in events are required at 50% throughout the year. Members of RAMSAR are required to perform service hours each year. Service hours include, but are not limited to: monthly RAMSAR meetings, training classes, RAMSAR details.

PROCESS:
We request all potential applicants fill out the Application to express interest in joining the team. You will be invited to attend our next monthly meeting where an oral interview will be conducted.

If applying for a mounted position, our team will then conduct a Rider and Equine Evaluation (REE). Once the Rider and Equine pass the evaluation or a non-mounted applicant passes the oral interview, a vote of acceptance will be brought to the team.

If applying for Mounted SAR, upon the team’s vote of acceptance, an application will be provided for a criminal background check through Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. When the background check is passed and dues are paid, you become an official, voting member of the team. When training courses are completed, you will be permitted to go on searches.

DUES:
$30 per year, payable upon acceptance into RAMSAR. Dues are not pro-rated and are collected each January.

We are always recruiting for the following volunteer positions;

COMMUNITY SERVICES - YOUTH / YOUTH MOUNTED:
Youth may assist in information booths, recruiting events, mounted and ground patrols or parking details, ID/fingerprinting events, etc.  This is an amazing opportunity to get community service hours that may be required from certain schools. Mounted and non-mounted youth members are not permitted to participate in SAR searches.

• Be 14-17 years old;
• Have a verified C+ or better GPA;
• Signed parental permission;
• Must complete an oral interview;
• Have dedicated access to email and a cell phone;
• If mounted, must pass a Rider and Equine Evaluation;
• If mounted, the ability to transport equine to events;
• Signed liability waiver

COMMUNITY SERVICES - ADULT:
Associate Adults may assist in information booths, event planning, grant writing, sponsorship, recruiting, ID card/fingerprinting events, Hug-A-Tree, ground patrols, parking details, etc.  Associate Adults are not permitted to participate in SAR searches unless they undergo a background check and take required courses listed in Mounted SAR.

• Be 18 years old;
• High School Diploma or G.E.D;
• Hold a valid State issued driver's license, AZ preferably;
• Must have transportation;
• Must complete an oral interview;
• Have dedicated access to email and a cell phone;
• Signed liability waiver

COMMUNITY SERVICES - ADULT MOUNTED: 
All items in Community Services - Adult must be met, plus the requirements below. Community Services - Adult Mounted members are not permitted to participate in SAR searches unless they undergo a background check and take required courses.

• Have ownership of a sound, calm equine over the age of 4, no stallions;
• Possess skills to pass the Rider and Equine Evaluation (REE);
• Have a registered tow vehicle and equine trailer;
• Without assistance; tack, mount and dismount your own equine;
• Riders must assume responsibility for any veterinary and farrier services of their equine;
• Riders must supply all feed, water and other related equipment for their equine
 
EQUINE REQUIREMENTS:
• Equine must be sound;
• Your equine must be sociable and controllable in situations that involve crowds, noise, other equines, traffic, parked vehicles and other distractions encountered during an assignment as a public service equine;
• Equine must be relatively quiet. They must not kick, bite or have other behavioral problems that would endanger the safety of others. An equine with a calm, alert disposition is preferrable;
• Equine must load and unload quietly;
• Equine must be willing to cross through water and over obstacles;
• Equine must have the ability to traverse steep terrain;
• Equine are recommended be shod or have trail boots available;
• Equine must be equipped with proper tack (i.e, halter/bridle/lead rope) to safely tie the equine

ALL VOLUNTEERS are required to enroll in a Basic Posse Fundamentals Academy:
This is a 3 day, in-person Academy. It is typically offered several times per year by MCSO. Bloodborne Pathogens, CPR and First Aid classes are offered free of charge at this Academy.

MSAR:
MSAR members will be working towards becoming Search Eligible and Search Certified team members. Once training requirements are met, going on search call outs will be permitted. MSAR members can volunteer in Community Services while working on MSAR training requirements.

Riders are taught procedures associated with search and rescue operations. RAMSAR teams are trained in compass and orienteering and other relevant skills. Riders learn and participate in mounted activities such as formation riding,  sensory training, proper riding techniques, search skills for evidence and lost persons and grid searches from horseback. Equine and riders are trained to work as a team with others in all aspects of mounted search and rescue. Emphasis is placed on exposing both the equine and rider to sensory extremes with SAFETY being essential.

• Be 18 years old
• High School Diploma or G.E.D
• A United States citizen or legal resident.
• Hold a valid State issued driver's license, AZ preferably
• Must successfully pass a background examination
• Must complete oral interview
• Have dedicated access to email and a cell phone
• Signed liability waiver
• Have ownership of a sound, calm equine over the age of 4, no stallions
• Possess skills to pass the Rider and Equine Evaluation (REE)
• Have a registered tow vehicle and equine trailer
• Must possess proof of current auto insurance, at all times
• Without assistance: tack, mount and dismount your own equine
• Your equine must be sociable and controllable in situations that involve crowds, noise, other equines, traffic,    parked vehicles and other distractions encountered during an assignment as a public service equine
• Rider and equine must have the physical ability to work under saddle, in rough terrain, for an extended period of time

MSAR REQUIRED COURSES:
All MSAR team members are required to complete the following courses. These classes are the AZ State Basic SAR requirements to participate in a search. The ICS and NIMS courses are free. You must register for a FEMA ID to take the FEMA classes.

Basic SAR Academy:
This is a 5 day, (8 hour days), in-person Academy. They are typically offered over the weekend, twice per year by MCSO.  

Within 60 days of acceptance into the Posse to become Search Eligible:
• FEMA Course IS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS)
• FEMA Course IS-200.c, ICS For Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• FEMA Course IS-700.b, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS)

Within 90 days of acceptance into the Posse:
• Healthcare level Basic Life Support (BLS) with AED

Within 120 days of acceptance into the Posse:
• Wilderness First Aid - training is available online at: Survival Med or in person through CAMRA

*Prior to purchasing any courses through NASAR, contact them and state that you are a SAR member. NASAR offers SAR members in the State of AZ a discount. 703 327-8954

With completion of the Basic SAR Academy, all required training courses, certifications and a mock search/subject search, you will become Search Certified.  

OPTIONAL ADVANCED COURSES:

These courses provide more in-depth knowledge for proper radio techniques, being an asset on a Community Emergency Response Team and providing first-aid in the wilderness.

• Wilderness First Responder online is available at: SurvivalMed
• FEMA Course IS-800.d, An Introduction to the National Response Framework
• FEMA Course IS-317a, Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
• Multiple free SAR specific courses can be found at NASAR SAR Academy
• HAM Radio Technician Amateur radio operators are invaluable for local emergency response teams

Leadership Roles:
• FEMA Course IS-241.c Decision Making and Problem Solving
• FEMA Course IS-242.c Effective Communication
• FEMA Course IS-244.b Developing and Managing Volunteers
• FEMA Course IS-288.a The Role of Voluntary Organizations in Emergency Management
• Critical Incident Stress Management