Alpha Team Goals and Expectations:

Teamwork: We expect our members to willingly work together effectively under the worst field conditions. We are looking for people who can work cohesively in a wide variety of demanding situations. Teamwork is a critical part of every team training and of every rescue mission.

Attendance: Attendance is an integral part of your success on any search and rescue team. Without attending team trainings, meetings and seminar opportunities, you will not be able to progress successfully through our training program. We will require a minimum attendance policy of seventy-five percent (75%) through this probationary period.

Dedication: Alpha Team expects its members to be dedicated to learning, increasing their personal skills, and being dedicated to the task at hand. Search and Rescue is not meant to be a social club. We are a serious unit of field ready operators, and we expect the same level of dedication out of everyone we consider. Show up ready to work, and willing to focus on the positives, regardless of the difficulties.

Attitude: A positive “can-do” attitude is a primary element that we require. If you exhibit a poor attitude, you will be asked to leave. Please check any personal baggage at the door. No one likes to work with someone who is unwilling, uninterested, and difficult to deal with. We work in very demanding conditions, and your attitude can make or break a successful rescue mission. Alpha Team needs strong, positive and talented members, and we will settle for nothing less. These demanding conditions may be stressful at times, and we expect you to be able to effectively function within reasonable limits, for the success of the team.

Learning: Alpha Team uses a wide variety of skills, methods and technologies to be effective in our operations. Please make yourself available to learn how we work, and to learn about why we train the way we do. As a prospective member, we encourage you to ask questions, seek help, and to help us help you. We encourage you to challenge yourself to create the most positive learning experience for yourself through active, willing participation.

Communication: Good search and rescue teams are also strong with good communication skills. We strive to keep open lines of communication and we expect that you will do the same. Please speak up, tell us your concerns, ask questions and become part of our unit by learning to work and communicate effectively with our team, our volunteers and our supporters. Be willing to accept any feedback as a positive effort toward helping you improve your skills.

Get to know us: The best way to become a part of the team is to become a part of the team. Tell us about yourself, your interests, and who you are. Learn about us, and make an effort to get to know the people who you will be working with.

Be prepared: Trainings and field operations can be very demanding. We expect you to come to each training with the proper equipment, and to be prepared to work. We will be glad to show you the items that will keep you best prepared for the areas that we train in. Because we strive to maximize our time during training, it is crucial that you come properly prepared for each training and ready to deploy in an efficient manner.

Physical Fitness: All Alpha Team members are required to take and pass an annual physical fitness test as outlined in our team standards. Please review these requirements, and insure that you are maintaining your personal level of fitness at or above these minimum requirements.

 Know your personal limits: Search and Rescue is not an easy job. We expect all team members to be personally responsible for their actions and able to assist others at all times. We function in a team capacity, not as a group of individual talents. Please communicate your strengths and weaknesses to us at all times, so that we can help you to become a more effective member of the team. To operate effectively, all members must be informed; therefore, a willingness to keep your fellow team members informed is vital to our success.

Tell us your Medical History: Everyone on the team has a medical history, and everyone on the team knows each other’s medical history. We work together under difficult conditions, and it is vital to our safety to know what to watch out for within our own team, as we search for others who have been unable to return safely to their families. This is all part of good communication and crucial for your own safety. Tell us your medical history so that we can increase our operational safety and make every mission a success.

 Ask Questions: We cannot help you to learn if we are not aware of what you need help with. No one on this team knows everything and we feel that everyone has something to offer. We are constantly researching new methods and increasing our skills base. Please help us to assist you by telling us what you need help with, what you want to practice on, and what you need more information about. Our goal is to increase the strength of our team and our members through education, and to save lives though our teamwork.

Take Responsibility: It is your responsibility to increase your knowledge and to improve your capabilities in the field. As a team we will do everything we can to help you succeed, but we cannot do it for you. You have to assume the responsibility of learning, communicating, and developing yourself as a member of Alpha Team K9 Search and Rescue.

Enjoy yourself: Training is what you make of it. Some of us honestly do enjoy swatting the omnipresent bugs, and wading through the mud, being in the cold weather and the miles and miles of endless briars. We feel these experiences will help you learn to be a more flexible and adaptable team member. Because of what we do, we are often in rough areas, with less than ideal conditions for good times, but a great attitude and staying positive sure can make the difference. In our opinion, if you are not having fun, you are not doing it right!

SUGGESTED READING LIST:

SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS: TRAINING THE K-9 HERO, 2ND EDITION
American Rescue Dog Association

Awarded the prestigious Maxwell Medallion by the Dog Writers' Association of America and with over ten thousand copies sold, this hardcover book sets forth the step-by-step search dog training methods developed by Bill and Jean Syrotuck and ARDA over the last 25 years. Chapters include information on selection and training of the search dog, scent theory, handler training, responding to a search mission, specialized training (disaster, avalanche, water, body and evidence searches) and canine first aid. Each chapter is illustrated with diagrams and/or photographs to highlight the text. An excellent book for reference and search and rescue K9 training.

SCENT AND THE SCENTING DOG
William G. Syrotuck

Scent and the Scenting Dog is the foundation for anyone interested in how a dog uses its nose to detect scent. It has been used by countless Search and Rescue Dog personnel, police dog trainers, and military police dog trainers and handlers. Another great reference book that is recommended for those interested in joining a canine search and rescue team.

BE EXPERT WITH MAP & COMPASS
Bjorn Kjellstrom and Newt Heisley

This edition includes everything the beginner needs to know about orienteering: understanding map symbols; traveling by map alone, by compass alone, or by map and compass together; finding bearings; sketching maps; traveling in the wilderness; and more. A great book for understanding the importance of map and compass work and how to apply it in practical ways such as in search and rescue and canine work.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SEARCH AND RESCUE

NASAR SARTECH II Examination