Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue
So Others May Live
Join PCESAR
How To Join
Pre-Requisites
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Attend an orientation by filling out the form below
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Adult and youth volunteers are needed!
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Be 14 years or older by completion of training (if unsure please email training@pcesar.org for clarification)
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Complete the prerequisite NIMS courses
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Check the orientation and training dates under training to ensure you are available for Course 1, first aid, 2, 3, and 4. Each course (except Course 4) is offered twice; you must attend only one of the two weekends.
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Attend Course 1
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Course 1B will be held starting at 7am at Frontier Park - 21718 Meridian Ave E, Graham, WA 98338
Before you can join search and rescue you need to take three online FEMA courses and their open-book tests. All emergency workers in the nation are required to do these tests before they can be firefighters, police, sheriffs deputies, or be affiliated with any SAR group or other emergency responders. The registration process cannot proceed until these courses have been taken and completed. The required tests are:
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NIMS ICS-100
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NIMS ICS-200
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NIMS IS-700
Take the courses here: https://training.fema.gov/NIMS
This link will bring up a page for the Emergency Management Institute –FEMA Independent Study Program.
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Scroll down to IS-700, National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction and click on it.
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You will need to create a student ID (SID) number in order to take the courses
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On the right will be a link "Interactive Web Based Course". Click that link and complete the course.
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Below the course materials link you will find “Take Final Exam.” When you're ready, click this link to begin the exam.
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After completing the exam, save your certificate and bring it to Course 1 or email to: membership@pcesar.org
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Repeat these steps for each of the three required courses.