Our Training Standards

At Rescue 101 Search and Rescue, training isn’t just a requirement; it’s the foundation of everything we do.

Our members are volunteers, but our standards reflect those of professional emergency services. Each team member trains to nationally recognized guidelines to ensure safety, efficiency, and seamless interoperability with local, state, and federal response partners.

When lives are on the line, training makes the difference, and that’s why Rescue 101 SAR invests heavily in ensuring every responder is skilled, credentialed, and mission-ready.

Rescue 101 SAR follows a comprehensive training program aligned with recognized national and state standards, including:

• FEMA / National Incident Management System (NIMS) - ICS 100, 200, 700, 800, and higher level courses for Officers and Command Staff
• NASAR (National Association for Search and Rescue) - SARTECH III, II, and I
• CAP (Cival Air Patrol) - GTM 3, 2, 1, & GTL
• TEEX / Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service - Disaster Response, Swiftwater Rescue, and Technical Search courses 
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) - Rope Rescue, Water Rescue, and Hazardous Materials Awareness
• US Department of Transportation / NREMT - EMS training and certifications for medical operations
• FAA Part 107 Certification - for all UAV (drone) pilots
• CPR / AED / Basic Life Support (BLS) - for all members
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - for all Advanced Medical Providers
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - for all Advanced Medical Providers
• Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) - for all Advanced Medical Providers
• Tactical EMS (TEMS) - for all special operations members
   

These nationally recognized standards ensure that every Rescue 101 SAR member can operate safely, communicate effectively, and perform with confidence alongside partner agencies.

Before deployment, every team member must complete the Rescue 101 SAR Core Training Program, which includes:

• SAR Fundamentals (theory, navigation, and lost-person behavior)
• Land Navigation and GPS proficiency
• Map and compass training
• Radio communications and signal protocols
• Incident Command System (ICS) and field operations
• First aid and patient packaging
• Field safety and survival
• Team coordination and mission readiness
   

All new volunteers begin with Ground Team Member 3 training and progress through higher levels of qualification as they gain experience and proficiency.

After meeting core requirements, members may pursue specialized team training, including:

• K9 Search Operations – K9 handling, scent theory, and search deployment tactics 
• UAV Operations – aerial search, mapping, and thermal imaging techniques
• Water & Dive Rescue – surface, swiftwater, and underwater operations
• Disaster Response – debris removal, saw team operations, and field logistics
• Technical Rescue – low- and high-angle rope systems and confined-space rescue
• Medical Team – field medicine, wilderness first responder, and austere care
• Incident Management Team – planning, logistics, and command operations
   

Each discipline operates under Rescue 101 SAR’s internal training standards, ensuring consistent performance across all divisions.

Training at Rescue 101 SAR never stops. Members are required to participate in:

• Monthly training sessions at the Rescue 101 Training Center 
• Semi annual field exercises simulating real-world missions
• Annual skills evaluations and equipment readiness checks
• Joint training events with partner organizations, local fire, EMS, law enforcement, and emergency management partners
   

This continuous training cycle ensures that our members stay proficient, adaptable, and prepared for any mission — from local searches to large-scale disaster deployments.

Rescue 101 SAR proudly operates a Youth Explorer Program, giving young adults hands-on experience in search and rescue, first aid, and leadership.

Explorers train alongside senior members under close supervision, building the skills, confidence, and discipline needed to serve their communities responsibly and safely.

Every certification, every drill, and every lesson reinforces our mission:

 “Always Vigilant. Ready for Anything. So Others May Live.”

Rescue 101 SAR’s training standards ensure that when the call comes, our teams respond with professionalism, precision, and compassion — delivering the highest standard of service to those in need.