The Purpose of psarc

Most local jurisdictions do not have enough incidents to provide sufficient experience for well trained and equipped internal ground search and rescue units. Working with  PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA),  PSARC has developed  a two-tier coordination support system. 

This system assists local-level responsible agencies when they need assistance in a ground search and rescue operation. 

• The first coordination tier provides information to local officials through PEMA with PSARC Emergency Preparedness liaison Officers (EPLOs). Working within the PEMA Emergency Opera­tions Center, EPLOs from the PSARC are able to provide general or detailed information on the availability of SAR resources from across the Commonwealth. This EPLO system is designed to get appropriate information and resources to responsible agencies without delay. 
• If local responsible officials need additional support, the second tier of coordination is the PSARC Mission Resource Coordinator (MRC). The PSARC MRC is a individual with wide command experience in lost person search and rescue operations; available to consult by phone and pro­ vide assistance to on-scene incident command management. The role of the MRC is especially useful in large searches over a period of days where assistance from search teams from other sections of the Commonwealth may be useful to relieve existing teams and/or provide special services that may not be available locally. In rare instances, the MRC may travel to the incident to provide on-scene assistance.

In this arrangement, the goal is to provide local government agencies "one-stop shopping" for the resources to do the job efficiently and effectively.

In Pennsylvania all volunteer or professional search and rescue units have affiliations with state emergency management agencies. 

Representatives from PSARC meet on a regular basis with PEMA officials  to discuss issues of mutual interest. This natural relationship exists in part because of the lan­guage of Annex V of the Emergency Operations Plan for Pennsylvania. 

The role of PSARC establish a network of professional / volunteer organizations and public agencies to work together to address common emergency services needs. 

PEMA is supportive of the development of PSARC training standards, and PEMA has played a leadership role in facilitating the developing of the EPLO program and the Mission Resource Co­ordinator role in Pennsylvania.

Most PSARC units provide comprehensive lost person search and rescue services. 

Services and capabilities may vary by team:

• Several units provide manpower for ground search operations 
• Command Operations
• Dog handlers with air scent dogs.
• Dog handlers with tracking dogs
• Dog handlers for HRD (Human Remains)

Several PSARC units carry the prestigious national Mountain Rescue Association certification.

The major purpose of the coordinated efforts of PSARC teams is to provide a comprehensive approach to lost person search and rescue efforts in the field. 

When PSARC teams provide mu­tual-aid services, or when more than one PSARC team is at a search mission, teams work TOGETHER in an Incident Command System unified command structure.

PSARC teams have personnel with significant experience in Incident Command System opera­tions. That experience is available to assist responsible officials from local and county govern­ments.