Lake County Multi-Agency Search and Rescue Training

22456 South Cherry Hill Road,Joliet IL 60433

18 February, 2023

Description

Lake County Monthly Multi-Agency Search and Rescue Training, hosted by Will County EMA. This month we will have a Fitness Test and cover Daytime Navigation Tools and Techniques.  Searching is a strenuous activity and are often in remote and unfamiliar places. Ensuring the searchers are physically fit and know how to navigate to and through search segments is critical to the team's safety and success. The fit test is a 2-mile hike with your gear over trails of different composition. It is a timed hike; you must complete it within 35 minutes. The Navigation training aims to increase your confidence in the tools you need to navigate search areas safely and efficiently during the day. Specifically, this session will focus on building your navigation skills using a Compass, GPS, and UTM coordinates. There will be a classroom portion to provide a basic knowledge of what we will cover, and then move to field portions to practice what we were taught. We search like we train, and train like we search - so bring your search gear. If you have a compass - bring it, if you have a GPS - bring it. If you do not have the equipment, I would recommend waiting to see what we use and what you are comfortable with prior to purchasing anything. This training is open to individuals who are at least 21 years old and affiliated with an Agency. CERT personnel are welcome.