Serving Since: 2012

A Searcher is a member of the Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) Team within the SAR Division of the McLean County EMA. Searchers are certified through the Illinois Search and Rescue Council to execute field-level responsibilities pertaining to wilderness searches. They serve as team leaders, line searchers, or flankers and maintain proficiency in land navigation, clue consciousness, lost person behavior, communications, rescue equipment, and the incident command system. Searchers may also be trained in conducting above-water recovery operations for drowning victims. Searchers report to the Sergeant of Ground Search and Rescue though they may receive direction from other ranking McLean County EMA officials.

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