Conference Classes @ 2006 Washington State Search and Rescue Conference (SAR '06)

Class admissions are included with the General Conference registration. No class sign up is necessary, as classes are offered on a "first-come, first-served" basis. The majority of classes are in the one to two-hour range (some may be longer, depending on the nature and scope of the class). Classes are generally indoors (tents) unless otherwise specified in the class descriptions.

We're offering different tracks to help you better manage your schedule and attend the most classes that meet your individual interest. A "track" merely lists classes that fit a particular topic and have been scheduled, where possible, without conflict with one another. Attendees may attend any classes that interest them and are not restricted to attendance in any particular track.

Class Schedule

No schedule will be "final" until after the conference has run it's course. Changes, cancellations, and closures are all part of running an event of this size and should be planned for by all attendees. If you absolutely need to take a particular class, you should plan for several sessions and attend the first one you can get into.

Downloadable Class Schedule and Attendee Record (updated 6/11/2006 10:08 PM)
Description	DOC	XLS	PDF
Draft Class Schedule by Class Name		66KB	55KB
Draft Class Schedule by Track		65KB	68KB
Attendee Class Record	47KB		56KB

Please note: There may be some overlap in the schedules of Pre-Conference courses and General Conference classes on Friday, May 19th.

WAC Requirement Track

These classes are required for all Emergency Workers under Washington Administration Code 118.04. Please note, due to time constraints and their ubiquitous statewide availability, we will not be offering classes in First Aid, CPR, or Bloodborne Pathogen Awareness.

Disaster Track

Disasters come in all sizes and forms, but always surprise us. They overwhelm our resources almost by definition. The one thing we all know is that planning and preparation makes all the difference. This is a great time to begine thinking about what your county will do in the event of "the big one", or just an unusual event that saps your resources.

Dogs Track

Pure and simple, anything to do with the use of dogs in search and rescue. Air scent, tracking, cadaver search, water search, K-9 health, and even events after the mission; if it's something that affects our four legged partners or their handlers, this is the track.

Management (Mission Operation, Training, etc.) Track

These classes cover the management of all things SAR. Are you responsible for planning and carrying out search and rescue operations? How about training and motivating volunteers? Perhaps you're interest is in tracking policies and procedures or interacting with the press. Look no further.

Crime Scene Track

Horses Track

Some jurisdictions have been using horses forever, others have just come back to them. We've planned these classes around riders and those who manage them. Even if you've never been on a horse, there might be something here for you to learn, so take a look.

Technology (Future of SAR) Track

Technology is changing how we do everything in our lives, and the same is true for how we plan and conduct search and rescue operations. This track covers equipment, computers, software, and knowledge sources that either have, or will change how we do our job.

Ground SAR Track

The root of all SAR, Ground SAR should appeal to all of us.

Navigation Track

Leaving the trailhead is optional, coming back is required. Like everything else in wilderness travel it's best to have more than one way to navigate. So use these classes to explore a variety of navigation methods from the technological to the primitive.

Medical (EMT, OEC, etc.) Track

Mechanized SAR (4x4, ATV, etc) Track

How many of us drive as part of our obligation to SAR? Even if it's only going to and from a trail head, when you're not on the pavement you're off road. And that comes with a whole lot of new challenges and dangers of it's own.

Swiftwater Track

Swiftwater is one of those deadly environments where a bit of knowledge goes a long way in showing you how little you know. If you've never been in a swiftwater class you should take at least one, if only to understand the uniqueness of the environment.

General Track

Any class that should appeal to the community as a whole, or just doesn't fit into any other track, can be found right here. There's always more to know in search and rescue, many of it not what you'd expect. This is the track that breaks you out of your planned path, and shows you something new.

Conference Classes