becoming a PSD...

[Gary D.]

Why would not public service departments just utilize qualified individuals for search and recovery, volunteers if you would. Are there legal implications?

"Budget"

Some departments do contract outside for "Search & Recovery" but it doesn't work well for "Rescue".

It's easy to get in-house people qualified if the department believes in and supports diving operations.

Some of the things needed over and above training and equipment are:
Take home vehicles, An in-house (not private) paging system and team members that don't go home and start popping the beers.


Gary D.

 

[nyresq]

Why would not public service departments just utilize qualified individuals for search and recovery, volunteers if you would. Are there legal implications?

for the most part "recovery" means possible crime scene. this means that everything must be carefully documented and collected, and without proper training and procedures a criminal may get away with it. as for rescue, there are very few people who can keep all the needed gear packed in their vehicle and be ready to respond on a moments notice with multiple divers and tenders. Under water search & rescue is not a one or two person job.... most S&R operations won't even begin with less then 5 or 6 people on scene with at least 2 or 3 of them dressed as divers. There are some places that will use volunteer divers from the local area to assist in large area searches but for the most part, fire and police departments will train and use divers from within their own ranks.

 

[Gary D.]

for the most part "recovery" means possible crime scene. this means that everything must be carefully documented and collected, and without proper training and procedures a criminal may get away with it. as for rescue, there are very few people who can keep all the needed gear packed in their vehicle and be ready to respond on a moments notice with multiple divers and tenders. Under water search & rescue is not a one or two person job.... most S&R operations won't even begin with less then 5 or 6 people on scene with at least 2 or 3 of them dressed as divers. There are some places that will use volunteer divers from the local area to assist in large area searches but for the most part, fire and police departments will train and use divers from within their own ranks.

Rescue can also be a crime scene. We just show up earlier than expected.

Gary D.