|
|
 |
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
* links open in new windows |
Download the Membership Application |
|
FREE Reader
|
**PLEASE NOTE**
There is a one-time $25 application fee to be
submitted with application. |
|
Flathead County
Search & Rescue is currently accepting applications for
new members.
To get started, please download, print and fill out the
above application, and mail it to:
FCSAR
PO Box 358
Kalispell MT 59903 |
General
membership meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of every
month (except in August) at 7pm at the FCSAR building
located at 525 Three Mile Drive in Kalispell. |
|
|
|
Are you interested in
joining Flathead County Search & Rescue?
Do you think this may be the type of organization you
can commit to?
Following are some considerations that may help you decide if
FCSAR is right for you.
|
|
| -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- |
| |
We are a volunteer
organization.
That means there is no payment for what you do. Your
commitment to the Team will involve some out-of-pocket
expenses for required equipment, some training,
meetings, community awareness events, fundraisers and
missions. If you cannot do so then you cannot be a
qualified member.
We are professionals.
FCSAR members are of high moral character and are held
to high standards of professionalism and service. We are
under the jurisdiction of the Flathead County Sheriff's
Office and work closely with other emergency service,
law enforcement, and land management agencies. No member
can use any alcohol or mind altering drugs (whether
prescription or recreational) while on official
missions, training or meetings. We are in the public eye
and maintain an excellent reputation.
 We are a Team.
FCSAR is not the place for individual egotism or weekend
heroes. We operate as a team at all times. A victim's
survival and the safety other team members may very well
depend on a unified effort. If you do not work well in
groups, you should not join FCSAR.
We do not work for fame or
recognition.
There is rarely any glory associated with missions and
even rescued people may not acknowledge the Team's
efforts. A member's main reward is often just the
satisfaction of having practiced his or her own skills
and having participated in an effort to help someone.
Your commitment should be to finding and aiding those in
need rather than for the recognition it may give you in
the eyes of your family, friends or the public.
We know our limitations.
Some people who wish to join FCSAR are young and macho
and think they are capable of making wise judgments and
overcoming any and all physical challenges in the field.
There are also those people who remember younger times
when they were in prime physical condition and, despite
evidence to the contrary, believe they are still in
shape. However, both bravado and nostalgia can be
dangerous or even fatal if you are not in the proper
condition for a strenuous field mission. FCSAR members
must realistically assess their level of fitness and
adjust their participation accordingly. There is just as
much work in supporting a field team (maps, radio
communications, logistics, etc.) as there is for those
out in the field, so know what your capabilities are and
capitalize on your strengths.
We deal realistically with
unpleasant situations.
FCSAR may get called on to recover dead bodies that may
be mutilated from plane crashes, car accidents, and
falls in rough terrain, or that may be frozen, drowned
and bloated or in similar distasteful condition.
Handling corpses in various states of decomposition or
dismemberment may not be something you're prepared to
deal with. Team members have the option not to
participate in body recoveries and you need to assess
whether you are mentally and emotionally prepared to do
so. Know your limitations in all areas and be realistic
and honest about them.
 We are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
FCSAR members carry pagers at all times and are required
to respond to a minimum of 25% of all missions and
call-outs. These quite often come in the middle of the
night and on weekends, when people are most likely to be
declared lost or injured. They are also common in foul
weather. FCSAR is not a fair-weather organization; we
volunteer to go on missions in the most adverse
conditions and at the most inopportune times because we
now someone's life may depend on that level of
commitment.
We are committed to our goals,
in spite of difficult circumstances.
Being a Team member is not always fun and exciting. We
may go for months without a mission call-out, or get
called out only to arrive in time to see the victim walk
out on his own or through someone else's help. This can
be frustrating. We also hold meetings and in-house
training every month. Although this may seem boring or
mundane, it becomes very apparent how important this
training is when you need to put those skills to use
during a mission. In addition, a team by definition is
composed of many individuals, each with unique and often
conflicting personality traits, and the challenge is to
keep the Team goals in mind and not get sidetracked with
petty differences. Your ability to work under various
difficult circumstances is directly proportional to your
level of commitment.
We are responsible for
ourselves.
Although FCSAR members are covered during official
missions and approved training by Worker's Compensation
insurance, we are not covered during unofficial
training, miscellaneous team events or group outings. We
must be responsible for our own actions and safety. We
take individual responsibility for our own well-being
and look out for our teammates as well. However, we do
not blame anyone else if our lack of physical or mental
capabilities results in any personal injury or loss.
WE
ARE COMMITTED.
If you have read and understand all of the above and
still think that you would like to join FCSAR, then
you're the type of person we're looking for! You could
become one of the Team members who are dedicated to what
we do and who are committed to making this Team one of
the finest anywhere. Please talk with one of the members
of the Board of Directors about filling out an
application for membership in Flathead County Search and
Rescue.
|
|
|
|
