SEARCHING RIVERS AND FLOODS

This course was added after receiving a lot of interest from units that were tasked with search and recovery missions. This is an advanced course and students must have received a River Rescue certification or equivalent prior to attendance.
The course is four days and is specifically designed for agencies responding to water-based searches. It examines the initial first response actions to be undertaken, progressing through to extended searching activities, and concludes with search suspension considerations. There is an emphasis on the development of in-water techniques appropriate to the flooded urban environment and river corridor searches. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of mapping and GPS technology to interpret and manage the search area so that resources can be deployed appropriately. Safety considerations and dynamic risk assessment are emphasized throughout the class.