Umatilla County
Search and Rescue Foundation
UMASAR Member Page
UMASAR Calendar
Online Training Links
The training links listed below are provided as a courtesy to search and rescue volunteers. The UMASAR Foundation does not advocate nor endorse any particular training. Skills learned from online training should always be used according to agency policy and only under the supervision of certified search and rescue managers. UMASAR Foundation assumes no liability for the use of these skills.
New SAR Member
Online Training
The videos in this section cover all, or portions of, selected Oregon State Sheriff's Association (OSSA) core competencies required for certification as a Field Searcher and with which new members should become familiar as soon as possible.
These topics are prerequisites for attending the annual Eastern Oregon Search and Rescue (EOSAR) New Member Academy.
UMASAR members are expected to complete this training within three months of their appointment.
Training Credit
To receive credit for most of these online training videos you must take the topic quiz. Follow the quiz link for each topic to take its quiz. Where no quiz link is provided, requirements are specified within the course.
Introduction to Search and Rescue
An introduction to search and rescue in eastern Oregon and what is entailed in being a search and rescue volunteer.
Although Introduction to SAR is not an OSSA core
competency topic, completing this online training
is part of the prework requirement for attending the Eastern Oregon SAR New Member Training, and is
also required of all UMASAR personnel who are new to search and rescue.
Length: 32 Minutes
Training Credit: One Hour
Introduction to SAR Quiz
Legal Issues for Search and Rescue
A presentation about the primary laws affecting search and rescue.
Completing this online training satisfies the Legal Issues for SAR core competency
requirement for Eastern Oregon Search and Rescue Zone personnel.
Length: 31 minutes
Training Credit: One hour
Legal Issues for SAR Quiz
Basic Radio Operations for SAR
A presentation about basic radio use during search and rescue operations.
Completing this online training satisfies the lecture portion
of the Radio Communications for SAR core competency requirement for
Eastern Oregon Search and Rescue Zone personnel. A practical portion of this training may also be required. Check with your coordinator.
Length: 47 minutes
Training Credit: 1.5 Hours
Basic Radio for SAR Quiz
Safety and the SAR-GAR Process
A presentation concerning searcher safety and the process used by SAR personnel to stay as safe as possible during incident operations.
Completing this online training satisfies the Searcher Safety core competency requirement for Eastern Oregon Search and Rescue Zone personnel.
Length: 20 Minutes
Training Credit: One Hour
Searcher Safety Quiz
Incident Within an Incident:
The 8-Line Report
This training video produced by the Oregon Department of Forestry describes the process for responding to an injured firefighter using the 8-line medical reporting system. This system was adapted from the military 9-line system and is the standard system designated by the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group for use on all wildland fire incidents. This system has been widely adopted by the search and rescue community since it is directly applicable to SAR incidents.
All searchers should become familiar with this process.
Searcher safety is the number one priority on all SAR incidents.
Using the 8-line system will help ensure that any searcher
injured on an incident will receive necessary medical care as
quickly as possible.
Length: 7 Minutes
Training Credit: One Half Hour
8-Line Quiz
MRA Helicopters in SAR - Basic Level
The Mountain Rescue Association hosts several valuable online training modules on their website. Completing their basic helicopter for SAR training meets EOSAR new member requirements for this topic which is an OSSA core competency. To take the training you must register on the MRA site. There is no charge for registering. To get credit for the course you must pass the MRA's final examination. You will receive a certificate of training in pdf format which you can mail to your coordinator.
Training Credit: One Hour
Land Navigation Training Videos:
Location Systems
Location Systems constitute Part One of the three-part Land Navigation core competency topic. Part Two covers map reading; Part Three covers compasses and their use. Parts Two and Three are normally taught in both classroom and field settings. Searchers should complete the online Location System portion before attending Parts Two and Three.
Latitude and Longitude
An in depth presentation on the Geographic Coordinate System also known as Latitude and Longitude
Length: 26 minutes
UTM Coordinate System
An in depth presentation on the Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinate System
Length: 31 minutes
U.S. National Grid
An in depth presentation on the U.S. National Grid Coordinate System also known as USNG or MGRS (Military Grid Reference System)
Length: 37 minutes
Public Land Survey System
A presentation on using the Public Land Survey System, or Legal Description System, during SAR operations.
Length: 12 minutes
Location Systems Quiz
Training Credit: Two Hours
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FEMA ICS Courses
The following courses are required for all search and rescue personnel. To take the training you must register with FEMA and obtain a student ID. There is no charge for registering. To get credit for the course you must pass the final test for that course. You will receive a certificate of training in pdf format which you can mail to your coordinator.
ICS 100
Introduction to the Incident Command System
Training Credit: 2 hours
ICS 200
Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
Training Credit: 4 hours
ICS 700
Introduction to the National Incident Management System
Training Credit: 3.5 hours
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Emergency Evacuation Training
The videos and slide presentation in this section cover the emergency evacuation process and staying safe during such operations.
The Emergency Evacuation Process
An overview of the three level emergency evacuation system and how to implement it during an incident.
Length: 14 minutes
Wildland Fire Safety Video for Evacuators
Basic training in how to more safely conduct wildland fire evacuations.
Length: 32 minutes
Wildland Fire Evacuation OSSA Slide Presentation
A slide presentation produced by the Oregon State Sheriff's Association designed to enhance safety and ensure state wide consistency for wildland fire evacuation operations.
Length: 30 minutes approx
Testing
To receive credit for this training you must take the quiz below.
Wildland Fire Safety for Evacuators Quiz
Training Credit: 2 Hours
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Supplemental Skill Training:
General Rescue Techniques
The videos in this section cover different types of general rescue equipment and techniques for use.
Litter Immobilization
Traditional method of immobilizing a patient in a stokes litter using webbing.
Length: 9.5 minutes
Backboard Spider Straps
Application of spider straps to immobilize a patient onto a backboard.
Length: 5 minutes
SKED Basics
Moving and securing a patient in the SKED with no backboard.
Length: 2 minutes
The "Burrito Wrap" Packaging System
A demonstration of patient packaging using the burrito wrap technique.
Length: 23 minutes
Search and Rescue Knots
In Oregon searchers are required to learn a minimum of five basic search and rescue knots. Searchers should conult their local SAR coordinator for specific knot requirements of their unit. EOSAR recommend the site Animated Knots to learn knots. There are also many other good videos available but ensure they adhere to the standards for each particular knot.
The basic knots:
- Simple Overhand
- Bowline
- Figure 8
- Figure 8 on a Bight
- Figure 8 Follow Through
- Water Knot
- Double Fisherman
- Three Wrap Prusik
- Munter Hitch
- Alpine Butterfly
- Clove Hitch
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Supplemental Skill Training:
Avalanche Rescue
The videos in this section cover different techniques needed for effective avalanche rescue and danger assessment.
Avalanche Problems Explained
Basic danger assessment while travelling and working in avalanche terrain.
Length: 4.75 minutes
Signal Searching
Best practices overview for signal searches during avalanche rescue incidents.
Length: 2 minutes
Signal Tips
Some tips to improve effectiveness of avalanche rescue transceiver searches.
Length: 2.5 minutes
Coarse Search
Techniques to use during the course search phase of an avalanche rescue search.
Length: 1.5 minutes
Coarse Search Tips
Tips for improving the effectiveness of a coarse search during an avalanche rescue incident.
Length: 1.5 minutes
Fine Search
Techniques to use during the fine search phase of an avalanche rescue search.
Length: 1.5 minutes
Fine Search Tips
Tips for improving the effectiveness of a fine search during an avalanche rescue incident.
Length: 1.5 minutes
Group Searching
How to search for avalanche victims when working with multiple searchers.
Length: 8.5 minutes
Probing
How to effectively probe for victims during avalanche rescue incidents.
Length: 6 minutes
Shoveling
How to effectively dig for buried victims during an avalanche rescue incident.
Length: 6 minutes
Electronic Interference
How to deal with electronic interference while searching with a transceiver.
Length: 1 minute
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Supplemental Skill Training:
Medical Knowledge and Skills
The videos in this section cover different medically related topics.
Hypothermia and Afterdrop
How to more effectively respond to incidents where victims are experiencing hypothermia.
Length: 1 hour 21 minutes
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Supplemental Skill Training:
Rope Rescue
The videos in this section cover different topics related to the technical skill of rope rescue.
Using the Aztek
Various uses of the Aztek rope rescue device presented by South King County, Washington Fire Department personnel.
Length: 35 minutes
Mechanical Advantage
Using basic mechanical advantage systems directly on the haul line incorporating the CMC Clutch.
Length: 5 minutes
Hauling and Lowering with Clutch
Proper use of the CMC Clutch for raising and lowering loads.
Length: 6 minutes
Highline Setup
Basics of setting up a highline system.
Length: 4 minutes
Arizona Vortex
Setting up the Arizona Vortex tripod system.
Length: 7 minutes
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IMT Training:
Using CAL Topo to Manage Incidents
The videos in this section presented by Rich Shelton of Maring County SAR and were presented duting the 2026 EOSAR regional training event hosted by Wallowa County SAR.
Part One: Introduction
Introduction to CAL Topo and some basics on how to use the program for managing search incidents.
Length: 1 hour 43 minutes
Part Two: Mission Planning and Best Practices
How CAL Topo is being used to manage SAR missions in central California.
Length: 1 hour
Part Three: Large Data Sets and Fire Operations
Best practices for organizing complicated maps and using CAL Topo for fire evacuation and assessment operations.
Length: 1 hour
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Map Resources
Some specialized maps that can be useful to have for missions.
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Management Resources
Some resources that can be useful while managing missions/incidents.
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Other Resources
A list of required and recommended equipment to be carried by UMASAR field searchers when on assignment.
These recommendations are based upon the experience of UMASAR personnel. There are other brands of equipment that may work as well or better than these recommendations. Our list is updated periodically.