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FAQs

  • HOW DO WE GET CALLED OUT TO SEARCH?

  • HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

  • DO I NEED MY OWN HORSE AND TRAILER?

  • HOW DO I JOIN?

  • WHAT IS MY TIME COMMITMENT?

  • WHAT CAN I DEDUCT FOR TAXES?

HOW DO WE GET CALLED OUT TO A SEARCH?

 

A person in need calls 911 for assistance, the call is transferred  to the responsible government authority for the area where the person is believed to be located, if in King County the call is transferred to The King County Sheriffs Office and requests assistance in the form of qualified Search and Rescue volunteers.

After verifying the legitimacy of the need for a search, a case number is assigned and the Operations Leaders of the required units are notified.  All unit members are notified, able and willing unit members self deploy, after approval by an Operations Leader, to the search base camp location using their own transportation and equipment.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

 

Northwest Horseback Search and Rescue is a volunteer organization , all training are free. 

As far as the equipment costs, this depends on how much equipment you already have. You can get a good idea on the Required Equipment page. There is a backpacking checklist on the Calendar & Training Schedule Page, listed under Course I information.  Fellow field members are a good source as well.  Members are encouraged to purchase a compass during map and compass training at a reduced cost.

 

DO I NEED MY OWN HORSE AND TRAILER?

 

If you do not own your own horse and trailer you will need ready access to them, together with a towing vehicle.  Northwest Horseback Search and Rescue will not provide you with a horse, nor can it be transported for you.

 

HOW DO I JOIN?

 

Send your name, address, and phone number in an e-mail message to the Training Coordinator.  Your name will be placed on a list and you will receive an invitation to an orientation meeting held in January of each year.
The orientation meeting will disclose the dates for the approximately 6 month period of one weekend a month training to become a member of Northwest Horseback Search and Rescue.

 

WHAT IS MY TIME COMMITMENT?

 

You must attend all required classes, Horse qualification, Courses 1, 2 and 3. All else is flexible according to your schedule.

 

WHAT CAN I DEDUCT FOR TAXES?

 

Check out Publication 526 (12/2003), Charitable Contributions

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