Hi,

Thanks for asking about UNH Search and Rescue. UNH SAR is a properly recognized UNH Student Organization. UNH provides us with an office and phone in room 120 of the Memorial Union Building.
We exist to make students and other interested people aware of the business of organized, well managed wilderness and suburban search, rescue, evidence detection and evidence preservation. Occasionally we assist in real searches. Unfortunately (for us) real searches are few and far between in this area. Members have gained meaningful experience by assisting with several searches for an aircraft that disappeared in New Hampshire in December, 1996.

UNH SAR is an organizational member of the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). NASAR is recognized world wide as the central organization for wilderness search methods. NASAR works closely with the National Park Service, FEMA, US Military and several state and county search related agencies. NASAR prepares classes in SAR related activities and sponsors a major week long conference every year.

UNH SAR has developed a 16 hour very basic class in wilderness search and rescue. We give this class each fall and spring. The class is given on the Durham campus of UNH and counts for 16 CEU's for EMT recertification. We recommend this class for all of our members and for anyone else that is involved with outdoor education or recreation. Typically this class is given on a weekend in October and again in April.

UNH SAR officers and any other interested members hold business meetings on Monday evenings during the school year. Training meetings are held as scheduled, usually on Wednesday evenings and a few weekends. Week day business and training meetings are usually held at 9 PM in our office.

UNH SAR has no minimum requirements and accepts as members all interested persons that are in good standing in the community. Modern emergency mitigation requires the services of many people that will not be exposed to demanding physical situations. Persons with physical limitations are welcome to participate to the level of their ability, particularly in incident management, planning and communications positions.

Although UNH SAR is a UNH student organization we recognize that emergencies happen at any time of the year, regardless of the availability of students. To minimize this problem we are now looking to add a core group of full time local residents as members. These members would be expected to obtain additional training and maintain a degree of team availability on a year `round basis. All citizens in good standing in the community are eligible to join. Direct association with UNH is not required.
Our organization does not receive any direct monetary support from UNH. All funds are raised thru dues and classes. Dues are $10.00 per year (September to September). These funds are used to purchase training aids, supplies and equipment and to maintain our radios. Postage expenses are minimized by the extensive use of e mail.

(603) 862-4540 UNHSAR@aol.com www.sar.unh.edu

3-26-99