2009 Illinois Search And
Rescue Conference
August 21-23, 2009
Rend
General Information
The 2009 conference will again bring together SAR responders from across the State of Illinois and surrounding areas to meet, train, and network. The conference is organized with the usual compliment of training and workshop sessions, as well as some additional happenings new to the schedule. The first of these new activities will be the Emergency Vehicle & Equipment Display on Saturday morning, which will showcase SAR and other specialized emergency response equipment from around the State. Another new feature this year is the addition of product vendors that will be showcasing equipment which is applicable to SAR. Finally, we have heard the requests from last year’s participants and have put together a social event for Saturday night to enhance the networking opportunities among conference participants.
Maps and other general information can also be found at www.mvs.usace.army.mil/rend
Conference Sponsorship
The
Illinois SAR Council is pleased to have partnered with the Illinois Emergency
Services Management Association (IESMA) as a sponsor for this year’s Illinois
Search and Rescue Conference. For more
information about IESMA please visit their website at www.iesma.org.
Conference Agenda
The Conference Agenda has been finalized as of August 1, 2009. A following is a listing of events scheduled to occur at this year’s conference.
Friday August 21
0900-1700: Rope
Rescue Workshop
This workshop will give participants a basic exposure to rope rescue fundamentals. The workshop will include an overview of rope rescue equipment, safety procedures, and fundamental concepts. Participants will receive instruction in repelling and belaying, and have a chance to practice those skills in a natural environment. Participants will also receive an overview of a basic low-angle raise/lower system of a litter with a simulated patient. This is *not* a certification workshop. Rather, it is intended to expose those who may not have any knowledge of rope rescue to the discipline, as well as give those with some experience an opportunity to refresh their skills. Workshop will take place at Giant City State Park, Makanda, IL. Specific details will be sent to those who are accepted to the workshop. Workshop is limited to the first 16 that register. There is a $25 workshop fee to cover expenses, which includes a trail lunch. To register, email amarzano@willcountyillinois.com.
1900-2100: ISARC Instructor/Trainer Meeting (Invitation Only)
This meeting is an opportunity for all current ISARC Ground SAR Instructors and Trainers to receive updated information on upcoming changes to the ISARC training curriculum. All current instructors and trainers are highly encouraged to attend this informational session. GSAR curriculum materials will also be available if needed, including updated course CDs.
Saturday August 22
0800-1300: Registration and Check-In
0800-1300: Vehicle & Equipment Display
0830-0845: Opening Ceremony & Welcoming Remarks
0845-0930: General Session: “Illinois SAR Council Update”
Speakers: Illinois SAR Council Board Members
Description: This session will update the Illinois SAR community on what is presently occurring across the state, and some of the accomplishments and goals of the SAR Council for 2009. Time will be allowed for questions and answers from the audience.
0930-1000:
Break
1000-1130 General Session: “ESF #9 and the National SAR Plan”
Speaker: Assistant Director/Chief of Operations Anthony Marzano, CEM, Will County EMA
Description: This session will
focus on the relationship of the National SAR Plan, which covers day to day SAR
missions, and Emergency Support Function #9 to the National Response Framework
which addresses Mass Rescue Operations and Critical Incident SAR. The
relationship of local SAR teams and integration with other emergency responders
for large scale operations will be discussed. This session will also look at
the many changes which are taking place to the National SAR Plan.
1130-1300: Lunch (Provided)
1300–1400 Option “A” Breakout Session: “SAR Equipment Discussion”
Speakers: Lt. Jonathan Orns, McLean County EMA and Lt. Domingo Kaller, Will County EMA
Description: A presentation and discussion as to SAR equipment issued and utilized by SAR teams, including best practices.
1300-1400 Option “B” Breakout Session: “CAP Operations”
Description: An introduction will be given as to the operations of the Civil Air Patrol and what assistance the CAP can provide during a search operation.
1400-1415:
Break
1415–1515 Option “A” Breakout Session: “Using Electronics to Track the
Team”
Description: The use of APRS and GPS is an evolving science as it relates to search and rescue. This session will cover the two different technologies and how they can be utilized to tracking search teams, etc.
1415-1515 Option “B” Breakout Session: “Introduction to Land
Navigation”
Speaker: Captain John Grimsley, Civil Air Patrol
Description: Basic navigational skills will be covered in this session, including map reading and orienteering. Proper navigational equipment will also be discussed with an emphasis on compasses and their uses.
1515-1530:
Break
1530–1630: General Session: “Crime Scene Awareness”
Speaker: Special Agent James Minckler, Illinois State Police
Description: Search and rescue teams may find themselves involved in searches that could result in the need for criminal investigation due to foul play, etc. This session will provide information from the law enforcement perspective as to what search teams should do when they find themselves at a crime scene and the “do’s and don’ts” associated with those scenarios.
1630-1700: Closing
Ceremony
1700-1900:
Dinner (on your own)
1900: Hospitality
& Entertainment
Sunday August 23
0800-1200: “GSAR Team
Validations”
Description: Ground SAR Teams will have the opportunity to become validated
under the ISARC resource validation program by participating in the validation
exercises conducted on Sunday morning. The validation is a four hour process
whereby GSAR Teams are measured against specific critical target performance
standards in four major areas: Personnel and equipment, incident operations,
land navigation, and search techniques. Teams that successfully demonstrate
these performance standards will be designated as "Validated"
resources within the ISARC Resource Directory. Validation is good for three
years. Teams wishing to validate must provide a minimum of 5 personnel for the
validation exercises and submit additional information to ISARC. Teams that wish to validate should request a
validation packet from ISARC with specific details on the validation
performance objectives and descriptions of the validation activities. Enclosed
in the validation packet is an application form which lists the additional
items which must be submitted for validation. Validation packets may be
requested by emailing info@illinoissar.org.
0800-1200: “Land Navigation
Course”
Description:
This course is the “hands on” aspect to land navigation based on the session on
Saturday, August 22. Actual
demonstration of land navigation skills will be presented to attendees,
including compass work.
Registration & Payment
To register,
please register upon arrival at the Conference.
Online Registration is now CLOSED!
To submit payment for the Conference send a check payable to “Illinois SAR Council” to Illinois SAR Council, 302 North Chicago St, Joliet, IL 60432.
Registration deadline to avoid a late fee is August 15, 2009, with payment postmarked by August 15, 2009. Cancellations after August 1, 2009, will be subject to a $10 administrative fee. No refunds will be granted after August 15, 2009. However, substitutions are always permitted.
Search Dog Attendance
ISARC welcomes our canine
partners to attend the 2009 ISAR Conference.
All handlers bringing their canines to the conference and/or
pre-conference events must sign and return the “Canine Attendance
Policy Form“
which can be printed by clicking the link. Please print, complete, and bring
this form with you to the Conference.
Copies will also be available for signature at the Conference
Registration Desk. Any K9 in the
building must have a conference ID badge, which will not be issued until the
proper forms have been completed. The
ISAR Conference has adopted the criteria used by the National Association for
SAR (NASAR) for canine attendees at their conference. The following criteria must be met in order
for a K-9 to attend the conference:
§ Proof that canine is at least
one year of age
§ Statement of current
vaccinations including Rabies, DHLP, Parvo, Corona, Bordatella.
§ Veterinarian Health Certificate
dated not more than 2 weeks in advance of conference certifying dog is in good
health.
§ Documentation from team training
director or a governmental public safety official with whom the handler works
(on letterhead) stating that the dog is operational or an advanced trainee and
affiliated with a SAR team or law enforcement agency.
Hotels & Camping
Conference
participants are responsible for arranging their own lodging. The following options are listed for your
convenience:
Hotels
Rend
Lake Resort
11712
East Windy Lane
Whittington,
IL 62897
618-629-2211
or 800-633-3341
$93 +
tax per night
Super 8
Benton/West City
711
West Main Street (I-57 Exit 71)
618-438-8205
$59.99 +
tax per night (dogs allowed for $10 per night additional)
Ask for
“Search and Rescue Conference” Block
Camping (RV or
Tent)
Wayne
Ftizgerrell State Park
Non-electric
(tent only) or 30 amp electric (RV or tent)
No
reservations available
http://Dnr.state.il.us/Lands/landmgt/parks/R5/WAYNE.HTM
Gun
Creek Campground
30/50
amp electric (RV or tent)
Reservations
available 877-444-6777
www.recreation.gov (search for location:
Gun Creek)
Previous Conferences
October 23-26, 2008 – Governors State University, University Park