Search and Rescue

Join the TROT-SAR Team

Thank you for expressing an interest with the TROTSAR Mounted Team Inc our mounted search & rescue squad has approximately 20 members. We currently conduct training exercises on a rotating basis within Northern Virginia (near Warren County), Central Maryland (near Carroll County) and Southern Maryland (near Charles County). Training is generally conducted on the second weekend of the month, alternating between Saturday and Sunday, some occasions both days as part of an overnight exercise. We only evaluate equines during our team HRE and only with those persons who have formally applied for the team. Be advised that this is a demanding commitment similar to any other rescue squad. Below is some information that may help you to decide if this is a volunteer public service commitment that you would like to pursue.

PREREQUISITES: To be accepted into the training program, you must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 21 years old and have ownership privileges to a suitable mount.
Possess skills to pass the Horse and Rider Evaluation (HRE) with your horse (Riding Helmets Required).
Hold a valid State issued driver's license and submit to a criminal background check.
Have ready and easy 24/7 access to a registered tow vehicle and horse trailer at all times.
Commit to a minimum of 40 hours of in-service training per year.
Must have regular access to email, text messaging and a cell phone.
Horse and rider must have the physical ability to work under saddle for a minimum of 6 continuous hours and without assistance tack, mount and dismount your own horse.

All applicants must complete, pass and/or obtain Basic First Aid, CPR, obtain the (online) FEMA Courses: IS-100, IS-200, IS-317, IS-700, IS-800 and IS-809 certificates; and pass the TROTSAR MSAR written test. Once these milestones have been obtained, you will be able to attend the HRE mounted test. Note - your local Red Chapter can provide information about First aid and CPR classes. Information about the FEMA courses can be found at training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp.

Trainees seeking promotion to Operational Status must complete a recognized 40 hour (fundamental/search team member level) Search and Rescue Course and obtain (official) NASAR SAR Tech-III Certification, or pass the VDEM Virginia Search Team Member Course (with certificate), or pass the SAR Tech-II Field/Written exam. Information about these courses can be found online at nasar.org and vasarco.org.

Our Mounted Team has a formal (24/7) response MOU's with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and with the Maryland State and Natural Resource Police. We are a 501c-3 tax-exempt non-profit, community service, non-government organization (NGO) first responder resource. We only respond to an incident at the request of an Authority Having Jurisdiction over the search. If you are up to such a challenge please email Officers@trotsar.org for a team membership application, liability waiver and confidentially agreement.