Copyright ERI International, Inc. 2011
ERI International, Inc.
4537 Foxhall Drive NE
Olympia WA 98516 USA
1.360.491.7785 / phone
1.360.493.0949 / fax
In partnership with
All Hands Consulting
Search and Rescue
Publications and CDs
SEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR THE INITIAL RESPONSE INCIDENT COMMANDER, 2004 ("6-Step Initial
Attack Course")
Authored by Hugh Dougher, Rick Goodman, Rick LaValla, Chris Long, Dave Perkins, Pete Roberts.
130 pages, loose-
This text supports a 2 or 3 day SOP driven course. This workbook is designed as a working document for individuals responsible for investigating reports of lost or overdue individuals, and for initiating appropriate search responses. It is written and designed to lend itself to field use. Explanatory theory has been kept to the minimum level necessary to understand and utilize the tools contained in the workbook.
This workbook is structured around the “Six Step Process,” developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), also known as the “Incident Response Process.” It is designed to provide a systematic and logical method whereby incident commanders and managers are able to make rapid decisions on tactics and the application of resources. As the incident evolves and more information becomes available, the Six Steps are repeated. It is a continuous, cyclic process.
The Six Step Process is extremely versatile; it is just as valuable as a quick mental technique for the individual responder as it is as a means of structuring a more formalized response to a larger incident. As the user gains experience it will become an instinctive process that can be applied automatically and continuously.
In this workbook, you will find some descriptive text to explain what needs to happen and why for each of the Six Steps. For each Step there is a series of bullet points – the “recommended actions” – that are tasks which must be considered and carried out before you move on to the next Step. Where there is a need for explanatory material, it is contained within the text at that point. Any forms or working documents that are referred to in the text are found in the back of this workbook.
Chapter Contents: Step 1, Size up the Situation; Step 2, Identify Contingencies; Step 3, Determine Goal and Objectives; Step 4, Identify Resources Needed; Step 5, Build a Plan and a Structure; Step 6, Take Action; The Second Cycle and Beyond.
Addendums include: Search Management Philosophy, Concepts, Crucials; Introduction to Probability Theory; Incident Management; SAR Program Elements; SAR Hazard Vulnerability Assessment; Components of a Comprehensive SAR Plan; Job/Responsibility of the Search Manager; First Notice; Callout; Establishing the Search Area (POA); Lost Person Behavior Checklists; Passive Search, Confinement and Attraction Methods; Search Area Segmentation; Probability of Detection (POD); Initial Search Tactics and Resources; Stakeholders and Critical Allies; Rescue; Suspending the Mission; Demobilization; Documentation; Post Mission Tasks; Legal Aspects; Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD).
Forms: First Notice Record Sheet; Missing Person Profile; Incident History; Resources
Sheet; Urgency Analysis Checklist; Scenario Analysis Record Sheet; Incident Action
Plan-
SEARCH MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (A practical approach to initiating and directing efforts
to resolve missing person reports)
Authored by Hugh Dougher.
320 pages, illustrated, loose-
Content: Course Philosophy and Purpose; Evolution of Search Management; Characteristics
of Response levels; Incident Response Process; Incident Management Principles; Search
Crucials; Search Resources; First Notice Actions; Missing Subject Behavior Profiling;
Defining Goals, Objectives, Tasks and Assignments; Initial Response Tactics; Risk
Management; Identifying and Prioritizing Appropriate Actions; Defining the Search
Area; Resource Activation; Demobilization Planning; Information Management; Incident
Commander Responsibilities; Stakeholders and Critical Allies; Transfer of Command;
After-
The expanded response workshop and materials included in this text: POA Consensus; The Planning Meeting Process; Suspension Process.
Appendices include: Action Checklist; Evaluating the Health of a Search Response; Course Critique; Final Exam; Forms; Glossary; Map Display Symbology; Pretest; Personal Equipment for Search.
(Course information and instructor material information available upon request.)
INITIAL RESPONSE NOTEBOOK
Authored by Hugh Dougher
85 pages, 4 1/4 x 7, saddle stitch. Single price: $4.00. (Discounts for quantity orders.) Click here to download our order form in Microsoft Word.
This notebook is designed to assist in the initial 24-
- Provides a reference for things to do and consider.
- Documents information, timeframes, and decisions.
- Provides a written Incident Action Plan for the 1st two operational periods.
- Establishes organizational and documentation foundations for incidents exceeding 24 hours.
The notebook‟s structure and contents assumes the user has training equivalent to
the 3-
This booklet is intended for one time use: to be completed real-
CONTENT: Phone Numbers; Activity (Unit) Log; Clue Log ; Reporting Party Interview ; Missing Subject(s) History: Subject #1, Subject #2, Subject #3; Urgency Determination; Scenario; Important Initial Actions; Introduction to Objectives; IPP Objective; Interview Objective; Hasty Search Objective; Confinement Objective; Confinement Reference; Safety Objective; Risk Assessment Worksheet; Refusal of Risk; Cell Phone Objective; Missing Subject(s) Flyer Objective; Blank Objective Forms; Organization; 1st Operational Period; Organization, 2nd Operational Period; Communications Plan; Medical Plan; Assignment Briefing; Assignment Debriefing; Found Subject(s) Interview; After Action “Hotwash”; Reference Material; Subject Behavior Statistics; Position Descriptions; Critical Separation; Map Symbols; Incident “Health” Evaluation; Transfer of Command; Pages for Notes.
URBAN SEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR THE INITIAL RESPONSE INCIDENT COMMANDER (for missions
involving missing persons in urban areas),
Authored by ERI staff et al.
114 pages, 8 1/2 x 11, soft cover, bound. Single price: $30.00. (Discounts for quantity orders.) Click here to download our order form in Microsoft Word.
This workbook is designed as a working document for individuals responsible for investigating reports of lost or overdue individuals, and for initiating appropriate search responses. It is written and designed to lend itself to field use. Explanatory theory has been kept to the minimum level necessary to understand and utilize the tools contained in the workbook. This workbook is structured around the “Six Step Process” (also known as the “Incident Response Process”) developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). It is designed to provide a systematic and logical method whereby incident commanders and managers are able to make rapid decisions on tactics and the application of resources. As the incident evolves and more information becomes available, the Six Steps are repeated. It is a continuous, cyclic process.
The Six Step Process is extremely versatile; it is just as valuable as a quick mental technique for the individual responder as it is as a means of structuring a more formalized response to a larger incident. As the user gains experience it will become an instinctive process that can be applied automatically and continuously.
In this workbook, you will find some descriptive text to explain what needs to happen and why for each of the Six Steps. For each Step there is a series of bullet points – the “recommended actions” – that are tasks which must be carried out before you move on to the next Step. Where there is a need for explanatory material, it is contained within the text at that point. Any forms or working documents that are referred to in the text are found in the back of this workbook.
Content: Step 1, Size up the Situation; Step 2, Identify Contingencies; Step 3, Determine
Goal and Objectives; Step 4, Identify Resources Needed; Step 5, Build a Plan and
a Structure; Step 6, Take Action; The Second Cycle and Beyond; Introduction to Search
Management Philosophy and Theory; Incident Management; Considerations When Developing
Objectives and Tasks; First Notice, Investigation, Interviewing; Missing Person Behavior:
Data and Checklists; Urban Search Techniques; Criminal or Non-
Forms include: Six Step Checklist; First Notice Record Sheet; Missing Person Profile;
Incident History; Resources Sheet' Urgency Analysis Checklist; Scenario Analysis
Record Sheet; Incident Action Plan-
SEARCH TEAM LEADERSHIP SKILLS, 2006 (How to Search and How to Lead a Search Team)
Authored by Rick LaValla, Richard Smith, Rick Hood, Tony Jones, Chris Long, Dave Perkins, Pete Roberts. Contributions by Norm Lawson and Guy Kerr.
128 pages. Single price: $30.00. (Discounts for quantity orders)
The focus of this text is search field skills (how to search) and field team leadership skills (field search management).
Contents:
Chapter 1. Team Leader Job, Duties, Responsibilities: Overview of search team; How does a team leader lead; Team leader tasks; Team leader job description; Team leader knowledge and skills.
Chapter 2. Search Tactics: Search tactics; Active search methods (detection); Search team formations; Probability of detection (POD); Searching as a team.
Chapter 3. Search Skills (Quality Assurance of Searching): Clue awareness, recognition
and interpretation; Elements of successful searching (clue detection); Observation;
Recognition and scanning; Why things are seen; How to search; Factors affecting the
quality of searching (detrimental affects on searcher probability of detection);
Sub-
Chapter 4. Investigative skills.
Chapter 5. Documentation Skills: Why document the search effort; What should you document.
Chapter 6. Communication Skills: General; Radio, common features; Radio operating procedures; Problems; Cellular phones.
Chapter 7. Evidence Recognition, Protection Skills: General; The evidence; Handling
of potential evidence; Crash scene considerations; Handling the deceased at a SAR
scene; Handling injuries at a SAR scene; Summary -
Chapter 8. Brief and Debrief Skills: Briefing; Debriefing.
Chapter 9. Team Leader Decision Making: The six step decision making process: a leadership tool.
Chapter 10. Search Team Leaders Roles and Responsibilities While Executing Search Techniques.
Chapter 11. Monitoring Well-
Chapter 12. Leadership Skills: The practical application of search and rescue leadership; Tactical decision games (scenarios and use of the six step process).
Addendums: Six step process; 6 step process for team leaders recommended actions;
Search area/confinement; Lost person behavior; Common “initial attack” resources;
Tracking -
SEARCH IS AN EMERGENCY: A TEXT FOR MANAGING SEARCH OPERATIONS, 4th Edition,
1995. (ERI's classic Search Management text and handbook.)
Authored by the ERI staff.
314 pages, illustrated, loose-
All of the basic tenets necessary to manage a search are presented in 37 chapters,
using a step-
SEARCH IS AN EMERGENCY: A HANDBOOK FOR MANAGING SEARCH OPERATIONS.
A pocket, condensed edition of the SEARCH IS AN EMERGENCY TEXTBOOK.
152 pages. 5" x 8." Single price: $15.00. (Discounts for quantity orders.) Click here to download our order form in Microsoft Word.
This is the condensed, pocket version of the Search is an Emergency textbook. Designed
as a field reference for the Search Manager and staff. Contains checklists, charts,
graphs for easy reference. This handbook is also used as the student text for “mini”
search management training sessions. Contains a new 14 page "Search Initiation Guide:
An Initial Attack 6-
CD - ERI's INSTRUCTOR KIT FOR SEARCH MANAGEMENT.
Authored by ERI Staff
Price: $295.00. Click here to download our order form in Microsoft Word.
If you have a solid background with both SAR management and course instruction, this CD provides you with the tools to effectively and efficiently delivery both of ERI’s core management programs: Initial Response Incident Command and Managing Search Operations.
There is a one-
The CD also contains the classroom exercises and scenarios material, including: PowerPoint's
with photos, maps, and script integration; the associated maps and assignments in
Microsoft Word for student handouts; and instructor-
Please note that this CD represents a “single user license agreement” to the agency or organization that purchased such from ERI International. Please respect this agreement. Should you need additional CD copies or know of an agency or organization that would like to purchase this product, please contact us.
BASIC SEARCH AND RESCUE SKILLS - HANDBOOK. A Practioner's Guide To SAR. 2007.
Authored by ERI staff et al. URL: http://www.eri-
360 pages, 6 3/4 x 9, soft cover, bound. Single price: $35.00. (Discounts for quantity orders.) Click here to download our order form in Microsoft Word.
Serves as a basic SAR skills student training manual and/or field book (field operating guide). Contents:
- Section A: Introduction: SAR Overview; Getting Involved with SAR.
- Section B: Outdoor Skills, Equipment: Fitness for SAR; Clothing; Outdoor/SAR Equipment; Field Health and Hygiene; Navigation; Foot Travel; Environmental Hazards in SAR; Animal, Insect, Snake Hazards; First Aid
- Section C: Search: Search Management Crucials; Search Area / Confinement; Lost Person Behavior; Search Tactics and Resources; Search Principles and Techniques (How to Search); Search Team Leader; Tracking; Inland Water Search; Evidence Handling
- Section D: Rescue: Rope Rescue Equipment; Rope Knots and Skills; Rescue and Evacuation
- Section E: Survival: Survival (Body Management); Short Term Survival Skills
- Section F: Addendums: Callout / Check-
In ; Check Out, Post Mission; Critical Incident Stress; Communications; SAR Technology; Helicopter Operations; Air Observer Guidelines; Cold Weather Nutrition; Hypothermia; Snowmobile/Winter SAR; SAR Transportation; Mountain Bike SAR; Search Management Actions; ICS Orientation; Legal Aspects; Urban Search; PSAR; Basic SAR Skills Benchmarks; Bibliography - Section G: Forms and Charts: Patient Information; Tracker Form; Search Log; Wind Chill Calculation Chart; Radio Frequencies; Telephone Numbers; Notes
CD - ERI's INSTRUCTOR KIT FOR BASIC SAR SKILLS
Authored by ERI Staff
Price: $225. Click here to download our order form in Microsoft Word.
If you have a solid background with both SAR fields skills and course instruction, this CD provides you with the tools to effectively and efficiently delivery the classroom portion of ERI’s Basic SAR Skills.
The CD is organized in the same structure as the student text “SAR Skills Handbook”.
Further, the slide sets are unlocked, such that you can best tailor the presentation
to meet your organization’s objectives and timeframe. The CD also contains a rich
selection of illustrative photographs and sample end-
Additionally, the “How to Search” course PowerPoint’s are slated to be added to this CD in 2010, if you purchase the CD prior to this upgrade, you will be sent, upon request, the updated CD upon it’s release.
Please note that this CD represents a “single user license agreement” to the agency or organization that purchased such from ERI International. Please respect this agreement. Should you need additional CD copies or know of an agency or organization that would like to purchase this product, please contact us.
EXPLORER SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM MEMBER TRAINING MANUAL, 1997.
Authored by Washington ESAR.
80 pages, 8 1/2 x 11, soft cover, saddle stitch binding, lots of photos and illustrations. Price: $25.00. Click here to download our order form in Microsoft Word.
This manual has been prepared as a guide to the skills needed to do the job of searching
afoot for lost persons in non-
FUNDAMENTALS OF MANTRACKING, the Step-by-Step Method
Authored by Don Cooper and Ab Taylor.
8 1/2 x 11, comb binding, 121 pages, 3-
Lots of Photos and Illustrations. THE BIBLE FOR TRACKING! Content: Tracking in perspective;
Why track; History of tracking; When and where to use tracking; Definitions and terminology;
What does it take to track, equipment for tracking, use of light; Sign cutting stick
and the step-
TRACKING: A BLUEPRINT FOR LEARNING HOW
Authored by Jack Kearney.
50 pages, photographs and illustrations. Price: $20.00. Click here to download our order form in Microsoft Word.
This book is the written version of the U.S. Border Patrol training program as formally presented by Ab Taylor and Jack Kearney. The book presents progressively more difficult exercises to be followed to learn tracking. Tells ‘why to look,’ ‘when to look,’ ‘where to look,’ ‘how to look,’ and ‘what to look for.’
SURVIVAL SENSE FOR PILOTS AND PASSENGERS
Authored by Skip Stoffel and Rick LaValla.
224 pages, illustrated. Price: $17.50. Click here to download our order form in Microsoft Word.
This is must know information for anyone who flies or rides in general aviation aircraft. Content includes: Case Studies; Emergency Landing Techniques; Establishing Life Priorities; Physiological Considerations in the Emergency Environment; Mental Aspects of Emergency Response and Survival; Clothing; Emergency Preparedness, Survival Skills; Overview of Emergency Environments; Emergency Preparedness Kits; Search and Rescue; Lessons Learned from Case Studies; Flying into Mexico and Canada; and more! Addendum: "Air Search and Rescue Manual."