Academy Overview
The Skagit County Ground Search and Rescue training academy is broken up into 2 very distinct phases that each serve an important purpose.
The Support Academy is a 7-week training course that is designed to equip recruits with the skills and knowledge necessary to run searches in a Logistics and Support capacity. Practically, this looks like:
Transporting teams and equipment
Running radio communications at the Incident Command Center
Establishing search plans and deploying resources from the Incident Command Center
And many more Logistics/Support related roles
In addition, each recruit will be trained and issued a free First Aid/CPR/AED card through GSAR.
The Field Academy is a 15-week training course that is only available to graduates of the Support Academy. It covers wilderness medical training, field navigation with map/compass/pacing, training to proficiency using Latitude/Longitude, USNG, and UTM coordinate systems, rope rescue awareness, sandbagging for flood fighting, subject extrication using a wheeled Stokes basket, and more. This is broken up into 12 once-weekly training nights and 4 weekend Field Training Exercises. Recruits are expected to provide their own equipment such as backpack, raingear, camping equipment, gloves, helmet, etc.
Application Submissions
Please follow the steps below to submit your application:
Download or print the Skagit County Emergency Worker Volunteer Application to your computer/tablet/phone.
Fill out the application either digitally or by pen
Scan and email the completed application as a PDF file to DEM Volunteer Programs Coordinator as well as gsartraining@skagitsarcouncil.org.
A $50 fee, payable to GSAR (a 501(c)3 non-profit entity), is required for each recruit. This pays for academy materials and a t-shirt.
GSAR accepts payment via cash, check, Venmo, or PayPal. Please make out checks to “Skagit County Ground Search and Rescue”.
Payment is due by 11/25/2024
Note:
Name the application “Lastname, Firstname_GSAR_app”
Please submit your application as a PDF file. If you need help with this step, don’t hesitate to reach out!
There will be two orientation nights to learn more about the program before committing: Wednesday, September 4th and Wednesday, September 11th. Both will be held at SARCOM at 6:30pm.
Applications are due by September 17th, 2024. This will also be the date for photos and fingerprints to be taken of all recruits. Weekly classes will occur on Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm, with occasional Saturday outings. A detailed schedule will be posted once it has been finalized (mid-summer).
GSAR Training Email Address:
gsartraining@skagitsarcouncil.org
