Teens complete Jefferson SAR course

Seven teens with ties to Camp Sherman successfully completed the state’s Search and Rescue (SAR) course to qualify as members of the Camp Sherman Hasty Team, a branch of Jefferson County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue.

Kelsey White, Nolan Titchener, Annie Hancock, Liz Dale, Jarett Hancock, Chad Horning and Crystal Leis committed 60 hours to learning the fundamentals of SAR.

The training encompassed instruction in the Incident Command System, land navigation, the art of tracking and the ability to follow clues, search methods and the statistical analysis of detecting who or what one is looking for. The students also learned about radio procedures, helicopter safety, personal survival and about securing a crime scene.

Their final field activity required plotting a given compass course, following it, returning on a back azimuth, securing fuels and building a fire in five minutes, constructing a shelter and staying in it for the night.

The night brought heavy rains in the Metolius Basin, yet all stayed dry in their natural shelter.

“The students bring a good dose of mental quickness, humor, and strong backs to our veteran team,” said Sgt. Mark Foster, the team’s leader.

They are now on 24-hour call for emergency search and rescue missions along with 25 other members of the Hasty Team.