A typical mission follows a fairly regular routine. Much of what happens occurs before search members are called or happens behind the scenes. This is a step by step summary of what has to occur for you to receive a call for assistance.

1. The responsible agency evaluates all requests for Search and Rescue response and determines the level and urgency of the SAR response. If a mission is warranted they decide on the appropriate resources to activate and deploy. This decision is based on initial information obtained from the reporting party such as; location of event, weather, terrain, time occurred, time of day, hazards, and any other information that can be obtained.

   Resources that are available are within Pierce County are:

   • Pierce County ESAR (PCESAR)
   • Tacoma Mountain Rescue Unit (TMRU)
   • 4 x 4 rescue (PC4X4 SAR)
   • German Shepherd Search Dogs (GSSD)
   • North West Blood Hounds (NWBH)
   • Tactical area communications (Tac Unit)
   • Pierce County Mounted Patrol (PMSAR)

   Any of these units may be called depending on circumstance or any combination of these units to achieve the goals and objectives of the Incident Commander. If additional resources are needed the IC can request out of county assistance through the state office of emergency management.

2. The Responsible agency contacts the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (PCDEM) and requests that the DEM duty officer gets a state mission number and activate the designated resources.
3. The Search and Rescue incident command team proceeds to the search location to begin the planning process and determine how to best deploy the requested resources when they arrive, where to establish search base and gather any additional information from witnesses on persons on scene.
4. DEM pages the requested units
5. If ESAR is one of the units requested, the unit initiates its call out process
6. Members are paged and or called by callout committee
7. Members respond as soon as possible or at designated time to rendezvous point with full 48-hour pack
8. ESAR communications center activated for 24-hour communications to the field
9. AT the rendezvous, all personnel are signed in and are assigned transportation
10. ESAR caravans to the search base camp
11. OL receives briefing from IC
12. Under the direction of the AOL and assigned FL's and TL's base camp is established, communications set up and teams created
13. Briefings are given by the OL to FL and TL's
14. TL's brief their teams and prepare to move to designated search area
15. Teams maintain regular contact with base or radio relay as appropriate
16. If subject is found all teams hold their position until given new tasking by base or FL
17. Render appropriate first aid as needed
18. Determine accurate location
19. Report to base the following in a "short report"
    • Location
    • Current situation
    • Subject status
    • Current actions
    • Additional assistance needed
    • Additional equipment needed
    • Plan of action
20. Subject is treated and evacuated
21. Teams are recovered from the field
22. Teams are debriefed by OL and Incident Command agency (especially important if subject is not found. Must be detailed and accurate report of observations and team actions)