‘Search Technicians Course’

Saturday began with three Probationers Caroline, Nathan and Ian taking part in their initial assessments to qualify them as Search Technicians.

The day covered key aspects of searching, including:

• Health & Safety
• Expectations of A Search Technician
• Basic Rules of Search
• Searcher Preparedness
• Equipment
• Confidentiality
• Note-Taking in-line with current guidelines
• What to expect on a live call-out
• Basic Search Techniques

The day was long with plenty of information to be taken in, but the 3 candidates completed their first day and had already emphasized just how much information there was to withdraw from the day to give them the vital skills in the field.

Sunday covered various topic’s, such as Law and Liability, Fundamental Search Techniques, Crime Scene Preservation, Missing Person Behaviour and these are just to name a few.

Sunday afternoon the tutors left the candidates within the grounds of Victoria Park, Warrington to complete their practical assessment. They were given the task to search for a missing male who was having problems within his family. When the candidates had found the missing person (‘Misper’), they then had the task to deal with an unconscious male who had overdosed on various medications.

Immediately after the practical assessment the candidates sat a theory examination in which, I am pleased to report, all candidates passed successfully.

Congratulations to Nathan, Caroline and Ian.

Thank you to all the Fire & Rescue Service Personnel at Warrington Fire Station for the loan of the Princes Trust Building and also the immediate surrounding grounds, including the Vehicle Extrication Area, this made a fantastic crime scene scenario in which candidates had to think about the hazards that they encountered and the control measures that needed to be in-situ prior to entering.

Our next Search Technicians Course has been planned for March/April and we look forward to seeing more Team Members qualify to Search Technician standard.