Ground units
Three or more foot searchers are dispatched from the command post, each unit with a radio and their 24 hour pack. These teams are given maps of the area, an assignment, and a briefing regarding the subject. They search their assigned areas conducting voice calls for the subject, looking for tracks and other clues. These teams can expect to either stay in the field for extended periods, or go through several shorter assignments.
TRACKING
Napa SAR Team has over 15 Advanced Trackers. The average person leaves 2,500 "clues" per mile they walk. The advanced trackers are trained to see these clues and determine a direction of travel and to help guide search teams to where the missing person might be. The team is fortunate enough to train with some true professionals in this skill who have been tracking and training Border Patrol, Army Special Forces and DOJ for over 40 years.
ATV
Napa SAR team has four ATVs and two UTVs. They specialize in containment of a search area, team transport, radio relay, and off-camber terrain. They are available for searching, to transport rescue equipment to teams in the field, assist with patient transport out of the field and other logistical needs during a search operation.
Search Dogs
Search Dogs are utilized, and these dogs have extensive training before they are certified to be used by OES. Trailing dogs look for a particular person, using a piece of clothing known to have been worn by the subject. An air-scent dog will locate anybody in a certain area, they are good for clearing large areas. These teams consist of the dog handler, the dog, and one or more search team members.
Mutual Aid
Mutual Aid is called from surrounding areas when our search resources are used to their limits. All state agencies have a mutual aid agreement that basically says “..when you need help we will come. If we need help, we are going to call you.” This is an agreement all state agencies have in the state of California that also means that the requesting agency will not be billed for the aid. BASARC is a committee that helps the Bay Area teams communicate monthly and retain a working knowledge of the other teams.