Search and Rescue Certification
Search and Rescue Certification
Our primary mission is to provide search and rescue in the Santa Fe County area. This mission requires our members to spend hours on horseback in wilderness areas. While we work indeplendently on most incidents, there are times when our activites must be coordinated with other jurisdictions and groups like the New Mexico State Police, County Sheriff, National Guard, and Posse groups from other areas of the state. In order to insure that each group shares the same knowledge base and can work effectively as one large team, we are encouraged to become SAR certified.
Search and Rescue Certification Test
The SAR certification test is administered by the NM Emergency Services Council under the aspucies of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. The test is about two hours long and covers such topics as:
- Incident Command Structure
- Communications
- Search Techniques and Protocol
- Map and compass navigation
- Basic Survial Gear
The Posse provides a review course and individuals to help tutor new members to prepare them for the test. SAR certification is not a requirement to be in or remain in the Posse. However, it is strongly encouraged as such knowledge enhances your personal safety and your effectiveness when working with other groups. Currently 80% of our members are certified.
Map and Compass
Posse members carry and relie on GPS systems for navigation in the wilderness. However, the SAR certification requires that you also be proficient in map and compass navigation. It is nice to have a back up when your GPS fails or battries are low or depleted. The picture below shows our Posse Captain being tested on finding bearings for distant land marks like Old Baldy.
SAR Test
SAR Cert Tests are periodically administered at our Posse facility. The picture below shows our test administrators from the New Mexico Emergency Services Council giving preliminary test instructions to our group.
