The following paragraphs set forth the general personnel policy of
Tacoma Mountain Rescue. They are general guidelines for use by the
Board and are presented here to inform all members.
Membership in Tacoma Mountain Rescue consists of four categories.
These categories are:
Rescue,
Administrative,
Inactive, and
Sustaining Memberships.
It will be the policy of TMRU that only members in the Rescue category
will be called upon to participate in rescue operations. Exceptions to
this policy will occur as necessary to all Administrative members to
provide assistance to Rescue members in the performance of a rescue
operation.
It will be the general policy of TMRU to recognize three classifications
within the Rescue Membership Category. These levels are:
It will be the general policy of the TMRU to advance members to
the next level of Rescue membership only after they have been active in
their current level for at least one year and have met the
qualifications listed below. Such advancement will be made upon review
and approval by the Board and will be announced at the annual banquet.
All new members will be accepted in the Unit in Field Support status
unless any qualifications are waived by the Board in the best interest
of the Unit. Field Support members must at the earliest opportunity:
Members will function in a supporting role for the benefit of the
mission. They will not work on high angle technical terrain or in
leadership positions.
Possess adequate equipment (see
TMRU
Rescue Member Equipment List ) to participate in missions
in all weather and terrain including rock, snow, and glacier,
Have current Standard First Aid card or equivalent,
Have completed a Basic Mountaineering course or equivalent,
Have knowledge of grid search techniques,
Have participated in at least five training and/or rescue
missions,
Have field experience in at least two actual rescue missions, and
Be a minimum of 18 years old at time of promotion.
Possess adequate equipment (see
TMRU
Rescue Member Equipment List ) to participate in missions
in all weather and terrain including rock, snow, and glacier,
Have current First Aid card or equivalent and have completed
within past five years an Advanced First Aid course or
equivalent,
Have completed an Intermediate Mountaineering course or
equivalent,
Have knowledge of rescue techniques, search techniques, and team
leadership including:
Wilderness navigation,
Rope handling and belay systems,
Class 3 and 4 rock climbing,
Rappelling,
Snow and glacier climbing,
Ice axe use,
Crevasse rescue,
Litter assembly and rigging,
Anchor systems,
Raise and lower systems,
Radio procedures,
Search techniques,
Helicopter operations,
Downed aircraft ELT search,
Other specialized rescue gear used by the Unit,
SAR operations, leadership, and management, and
16 hour mini-SAR management course,
Have participated in at least ten training and/or rescue
missions,
Have field experience in at least two actual rescues,
Be a minimum of 18 years old at time of promotion.
Members will be expected to operate on all types and angles of terrain.
They will fill the roles of Team Leader and Operations Leader as well as
supporting roles as the mission dictates. Rescue member status
recognizes that you are capable of conducting safe, efficient, and
professionally managed rescues.
The Board may drop a member's status to Inactive if they do not
participate in meetings, trainings, and/or rescue missions for a period
of one year. Members may request Inactive Status for any reason for
extended periods of time, however they will be required to pay annual
dues to the Unit. Inactive members will be dropped entirely after a
period of two years if it appears that they have no further interest in
the Unit. Inactive members may become active by resubmitting an
application for membership.
You must have the ability and desire to contribute constructively to the
Unit. Included in this category are the Callout committee, Kit party
program, newsletter committee, and other non-operational personnel who
perform some useful function in the Unit. Operational Members in any of
the above categories may also perform administrative functions in
support of the Unit.
Sustaining members are members and organizations that either make
financial or other types of contributions that the Board recognizes as
providing for the general good of TMRU.
All membership admissions and promotions shall have Board approval.
Applicants for membership are asked to attend the Board meeting at which
their applications are considered, or at least the next scheduled
Membership meeting. The Membership Committee maintains records of
members' qualifications and participation and recommends those eligible
for promotion to the Board at the October Board meeting. At Board
discretion, participation requirements for Rescue Support and/or Rescue
may be waived for persons who have outstanding experience and
qualifications.
It will be the general policy of TMRU to drop Field Support, Rescue
Support, or Rescue members to Inactive status if they do not evidence
interest in the Unit for a period of one year. Lack of interest shall
be construed as failure to participate in meetings, trainings, and/or
rescue missions for a period of one year. The Board is empowered to
make the determination and drop members when appropriate.
Adopted July 28, 1971
Revised July 1990
