Search & Rescue Mutual Aid

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Mark Baldwin, Assistant Chief

State Search & Rescue Coordinator

mark.baldwin@caloes.ca.gov

The Law Enforcement Branch is charged with the responsibility of coordinating state mutual aid for search and rescue in California. In addition, it receives and coordinates interstate requests under the auspices of the National Search and Rescue Plan. The branch also coordinates all local requests for state and Federal agency assistance. Because search and rescue missions are often life threatening, requests for out-of-county, state or Federal resources can be made directly to CalOES.

Search and Rescue - Related Products

The Search and Rescue Annex to the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Plan is a document that explains in detail, the mutual aid plan for search and rescue in California; state and federal organizations involved in search and rescue, their roles and capabilities, and the process for obtaining assistance; and detailed mutual aid guidelines for various disciplines within search and rescue. These “Mutual Aid Guidelines” are published separately to assist local government agencies in planning and preparation for search and rescue operations. The branch also offers P.O.S.T. certified classes for those persons responsible for search and rescue management: “Direction and Control of the Search Function – Search Management Course” & “Direction and Control of the Winter Search Function – Search Management Course” have been offered to law enforcement agencies’ Search and Rescue management personnel for more than 25 years. More than 3000 students have completed this 40 hour supervisory course which provides valuable information on the management of wilderness search operations.

Training

For Information regarding the Direction and Control of the Search Function Course and Winter Operations Course, please visit our Training Page.

LE Branch Calendar

The Annual Peabody Award

Nomination Form

In November of 2005, Mr. Larry Peabody died after a lengthy illness. Larry was a dedicated professional volunteer with the State of California and the Office of Emergency Services, Law Enforcement Branch. For over 27 years Larry assisted the OES Law Enforcement Branch with the dispatch coordination of search and rescue canine personnel and resources in all types of SAR missions. In the course of his work with CalOES, Larry assisted in over 6,000 SAR missions. Througout the majority of his affiliation with CalOES, Larry remained available to provide dispatch coordination on a 24-hour, 7 days-a-week posture despite several bouts with major illnesses and without receiving compensation. It is only proper that an annual award be established in Larry's honor that perpetuates his admirable service to the citizens and State of California. Each year, an award will be presented to an individual SAR volunteer or team that performs their SAR duties with professionalism, dedication, and extraordinary excellence.

Each year, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), Law Enforcement Branch, State Search and Rescue Coordinator will accept nominations for the annual "Peabody Award" from the following to include: any California law enforcement agency, emergency services agency/organization, volunteer organization, and/or civic organization.

Nominations for the award must be received by CalOES no later than July 31st of each year. The nomination will cover the period from previous year's August 1st to the year the nomination was submitted. A selection committee will review the submitted nominated candidates and make a final decision. The CalOES State SAR Coordinator will notify the selected candidate and will formally present the award at the CalOES-sponsored SAREX training in the following month of September.

Disaster Service Worker (DSW) Volunteer Program

The Disaster Service Worker (DSW) Volunteer Program is designed to provide workers' compensation benefits to volunteers that are injured during disaster and search & rescue related activities. For complete program information and forms, click HERE.

Search and Rescue Team Affiliates

In order to better serve California, Cal OES is affiliated with the following search and rescue groups:

California Explorer Search and Rescue (CalESAR)
California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA)
Monterey Bay Search Dogs (MBSD)
Wilderness Finders Search Dog Teams (WOOF)
Far West Division of the National Ski Patrol (NSP)
California Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP)

Other Search and Rescue Links:

California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association (CRMRA)
National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR)

Canine Mutual Aid Quick Ref Guide	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/Canine Mutual Aid Quick Ref Guide.pptx	Canine Mutual Aid Quick Ref Guide	SAR Documents	5/5/2016 9:42:52 PM
Distress Alert Policy for SEND, PLB, and EBIRBs	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/DistressAlertPolicy.pdf	Distress Alert Policy for SEND, PLB, and EBIRBs	SAR Documents	6/17/2019 7:34:32 PM
Model SAR MOU	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/Model SAR MOU.doc	Model SAR MOU	SAR Documents	3/26/2015 5:56:24 PM
Model SAR Ops Plan	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/Model SAR Ops Plan.doc	Model SAR Ops Plan	SAR Documents	3/26/2015 5:56:32 PM
Model SAR Team Organization Policy and Procedure 2011	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/Model SAR Team Organization Policy and Procedure 2011.pdf	Model SAR Team Organization Policy and Procedure 2011	SAR Documents	6/17/2019 7:34:33 PM
Out of State DSW Training Coverage	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/Out of State Training DSW Coverage Request Guidance 7.2016.doc	Out of State DSW Training Coverage	SAR Documents	12/13/2017 9:05:02 PM
PLB Incident Report	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/PLB INCIDENT REPORT.doc	PLB Incident Report	SAR Documents	3/28/2016 4:54:05 PM
Peabody Award Nomination Form	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/Peabody Award Nomination Form.docx	Peabody Award Nomination Form	SAR Documents	6/5/2018 5:47:01 PM
SARMARS California SAR VHF Radio Plan	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SARMARS California SAR VHF Radio Plan.pdf	SARMARS California SAR VHF Radio Plan	SAR Documents	6/17/2019 7:34:27 PM
SEND Incident Report	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SEND Incident Report.doc	SEND Incident Report	SAR Documents	5/5/2016 9:43:18 PM

SAR Alpine Team MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Alpine Team MA Guideline.pdf	SAR Alpine Team MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:33 PM
SAR Dog MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Dog AA MA Guideline App.pdf	SAR Dog MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:33 PM
SAR Dog Appendix A Avalanche	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Dog Appendix A Avalanche.pdf	SAR Dog Appendix A Avalanche	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR Dog Appendix B Cadaver	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Dog Appendix B Cadaver.pdf	SAR Dog Appendix B Cadaver	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR Dog Appendix C Water	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Dog Appendix C Water.pdf	SAR Dog Appendix C Water	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR Dog Appendix D Disaster Type 3	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Dog Appendix D Disaster Type 3.pdf	SAR Dog Appendix D Disaster Type 3	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR Dog Appendix E Disaster Type 4	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Dog Appendix E Disaster Type 4.pdf	SAR Dog Appendix E Disaster Type 4	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR Dog Appendix F Trailing	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Dog Appendix F Trailing.pdf	SAR Dog Appendix F Trailing	SARMA Guidelines	12/30/2019 5:23:15 PM
SAR Fixed Wing Aircraft MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Fixed Wing Aircraft MA Guideline.pdf	SAR Fixed Wing Aircraft MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR Ground Searchers MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Ground Searchers MA Guideline.pdf	SAR Ground Searchers MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR Incident Support Team MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Incident Support Team MA Guideline.pdf	SAR Incident Support Team MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR Mounted Team MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Mounted Teams MA Guideline 10_14.pdf	SAR Mounted Team MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR OHV MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR OHV Mutual Aid Guideline 10_14.pdf	SAR OHV MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR Swiftwater-Flood MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Swiftwater-Flood MA Guideline.pdf	SAR Swiftwater-Flood MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:26 PM
SAR Technical Rope Rescue MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Technical Rope Rescue MA Guideline.pdf	SAR Technical Rope Rescue MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:27 PM
SAR Tracking MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Tracking MA Guidelines 10_14.pdf	SAR Tracking MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:27 PM
SAR Underground MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Underground MA Guideline 10_14.pdf	SAR Underground MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:27 PM
SAR Underwater MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR Underwater MA Guideline 10_14.pdf	SAR Underwater MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:27 PM
SAR-USAR MA Guideline	https://www.caloes.ca.gov/LawEnforcementSite/Documents/SAR-USAR MA Guideline 10_14.pdf	SAR-USAR MA Guideline	SARMA Guidelines	6/17/2019 7:34:27 PM