Tracking for Search and Rescue 

Where:  NECC, Martville, NY

When:  September 10-11, 2008

 Who Should Attend: All interested people are invited to attend, including search and rescue volunteers, law enforcement personnel, prosecuting attorneys and forensic specialists.  There are no prerequisites for this course.  Classroom and field exercises are designed for students to:

·         Learn the basics of following a simple line of human tracks

·         Learn to correctly identify a human track and preserve the evidence

·         Become clue-aware

 Instructors:  The instructors will be nationally certified trackers from the Joel Hardin Professional Tracking Services program with experience training SAR personnel, law enforcement and military personnel in tracking.

 Class Schedule:

 DAY ONE

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

 Class will begin at 0800 in the main lodge at the NECC facility. 

 0800 to 1200   Registration and classroom instruction

·         History of tracking

·         NYS certification levels and standards

·         Tracking and how it relates to SAR and LE operations

·         Sign: what it is and how we see it

·         Basic tracking techniques

·         PowerPoint presentation of field training, sign and tracking techniques

 1200 to 1300   Lunch Break

 1300 to 1700   Field Tracking

 1700 to 1900   Dinner Break

 1900 to 2200   Night Tracking

DAY TWO

Thursday, September 11, 2008

0800 to 1200   Field Tracking

1200 to 1300   Lunch Break

1300 to 1430   Field Tracking

1430 to 1500   Class wrap-up indoors

What to Bring:

• Outdoors clothing for any weather condition: rain or shine the class will proceed.
• You will be on your hands and knees on the ground frequently.  Bring kneepads if you want to protect your knees
• Fluids such as water or sports drinks
• Pencil, eraser, notepad (small) and a small, locking tape measure that is at least 3 feet long
• A tracking stick or similar straight stick about 36 to 40 inches long
• 2 rubber bands or o-rings that will fit around the stick
• Hand-held flashlight.  Maglites and headlamps will not function well as tracking flashlights.  A 3 D-cell battery with a yellowish light is best

NOTE: A maximum enrollment of 18 students is necessary to ensure a good ratio of instructors to students.