All applicants who wish to join the Four Rivers K-9 Search Rescue & Recovery Team must meet a set of minimum standards in order to qualify for membership with the Team. Please find below a summary of these standards that apply to all areas of our SAR Team. Detailed information and other requirements regarding the application process that is not listed below will be found in our Team Bylaws.
The Four Rivers K-9 Search Rescue & Recovery Team does not discriminate its applicants or members on the basis of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
Have a valid driver’s license with proof of current vehicle insurance and safe driving record.
Have the eagerness to learn search and rescue, backup training, dog handling requirements, as well as field operations.
Be in good physical health and must be comfortable in various types of weather and terrain.
Be available 24/7 on a fairly regular basis for emergency responses.
Possess good communication skills, be flexible, and work well in a team environment. Some knowledge of radio communication and other command procedures is preferable but not required.
Be aware that once you are inducted as member that you are financially responsible for your own equipment, animals (if you are a handler), clothing, travel expenses, and some costs for training and materials when provided by outside agencies.
For Applicant K-9 Handlers:
All those who wish to serve the Four Rivers K-9 Search Rescue & Recovery Team as a K-9 handler are expected to meet the minimum standards as for all applicants in addition to the special provisions listed below. Please consult our Team Bylaws for more information.
Must understand the substantial time commitment required in addition to regular SAR training and participation in team functions.
Must obtain or currently possess a dog that has been deemed appropriate for search, rescue, and recovery.
Must have a vehicle capable of providing transportation for themselves and their dog to the scene of any search.
Must have the equipment required by statue or administrative regulation for searching with dogs.
Both handlers and K-9s must be in good physical condition as training sessions and search tasks can be quite rigorous.
Attend at least 2 scheduled trainings each month.
As of August 2008, all those who wish to sustain membership with the team must receive training as listed below. These courses may be taken within a reasonable period of time after the probationary period.
After 1 year of service as a K-9 applicant handler, a member in good standing who has met the conditions as outlined in the Team Bylaws may become a regular handler.
For Applicant Mounted SAR:
All those who wish to serve the Four Rivers K-9 Search Rescue & Recovery Team as a Mounted SAR are expected to meet the minimum standards as listed for all applicants in addition to the special provisions listed below. Please consult our Team Bylaws for more information.
Obtain all state and federally required Search and Rescue (SAR)qualifications including those listed below at the earliest possible date:
Must obtain or currently possess a horse that has been deemed appropriate for search, rescue, and recovery as per the standards below.
Must have a vehicle capable of providing transportation for themselves and their horse to the scene of any search.
Must have the equipment required by statue or administrative regulation for searching with horses.
Respond to search missions as defined in the Four Rivers K-9 SOG’s.
Maintain log of all related training, classes, and seminars for review by the training officers.
For Applicant Divers:
All those who wish to serve the Four Rivers K-9 Search Rescue & Recovery Team as a Diver are expected to meet the minimum standards as listed for all applicants in addition to the special provisions listed in our Team Bylaws. Please feel free to contact us if you wish to serve as a diver for our team.
To Become An Associate Team Member:
Any individual who makes a monetary contribution of $100 or more annually to the Four Rivers K-9 Search Rescue & Recovery Team shall be deemed a contributing member and may attend any training session as scheduled by the Team. Associate members have all the benefits of team membership (attend meetings and trainings, etc.) except the right to vote.