Search and Rescue

News

The TROT Search and Rescue (TROTSAR) Mounted Team has successfully completed an application process to become a certified as a Non-Government Organization (NGO) (all-volunteer) Search and Rescue Team by the Maryland Natural Resource Police (MNRP) and the Maryland State Police (MSP). The validation and verification process began in January of this year and was conducted by MNRP Sergeant Mel Adams and Corporal Brent Trautman (the process organizers), which earn them the Governor's Award for Excellence for their program. Effective January 1, 2008 law enforcement agencies within the State of Maryland will be encouraged to activate/deploy the search and rescue (SAR) teams who have completed the validation process. Currently the TROTSAR Mounted Team is one of only four SAR who have met the requirements of the validation process. It should be noted the Maryland (State level) process is very similar to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) search and rescue team validation process, which the TROTSAR Mounted Team also completed in July of 2006.

Some of the Team's local highlights include:

The Washington Post (Montgomery County Edition) printed an article about the TROTSAR Mounted Team in the Thursday November 29, 2008 issue.
Six Mounted Team members attended the 2007 Maryland Search Teams Task Force (MSTTF) annual Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) that was conducted in Frederick County Maryland during the second weekend in November.
Team members Joyce Cowfer (Trot-24) and Sarah Fletcher (Trot-25) have recently passed the National Association of Search and Rescue SAR Technician III test, which is a nationally recognized certification. Please congratulate both of these team members for a job well done!
Search team member Tara Winder (Trot-30) remains on active duty deployment in central Iraq. Tara is deployed with her US Air Force Unit and is expected to return in February of 2008. Please keep her your thoughts and prayers.

TROTSAR is proud to offer a clinic by Scot Hansen, Self Defense for Trail Riders. Scot is a retired mounted police officer and offers a lifetime of experience. The clinic fee is $100; auditors are $25. It will take place on October 4th and 5th with 4 sessions available each day in Bryans Road, Maryland. Here is a flyer with complete details and here is an application form with required waivers. For further details you may email Tomi' Finkle or phone her at 301-412-5249.

The TROTSAR Mounted Team is on call 24/7 and ready to assist local and State government agencies with the search of lost and missing persons. We welcome your TROTSAR inquiries at officers@trotsar.org

TROT SAR is pleased to announce the newly elected Search Team officers for 2008 – 2009:
Commander - Tomi` Finkle
Assistant Commander - Laurie Platt
Treasurer - Jacquie Cowan
Secretary - Pete Fields
Board Member - Juanita Hayes
TROT congratulates these dedicated volunteers and is extremely proud of the accomplishments of the TROT Search and Rescue.