We are ground pounders. The term describes the Brigade’s primary search technique. We lace up a pair of hiking boots, load all the stuff we need for a mission in a backpack and we hike. We hike trails and cross country. We hike night and day, rain or shine, snow or not. Not everyone on the team is required to search in all terrain or conditions. There is a place on the team for those that aren’t comfortable with snow travel or hiking at night for example. Skill and comfort level determine the missions individuals participate in. Hoping to attract the subjects attention we stop regularly and call the persons name. We scan the ground looking for clues such as footprints or items that might belong to the subject. The Brigade is not a canine team but we work closely with the local canine teams and often provide support for them. By handling navigation, communications and looking for clues the canine handler can concentrate on watching their dog for important changes in behavior. We are also not a technical rescue team, however, we often assist technical teams in carrying gear, pulling on ropes and hauling a litter. Many of our team members have 4x4s providing vehicle search and support capabilities.
Requirements for joining
Interested in joining? Hop over to our contact page or click here and send us a message. Someone will reach out to you and determine what your interests are and current skill levels. No experience is required to get started. We will assess what activities you are interested in, determine your current skills and work out a training schedule to get you ready for the field. Before we can put a candidate on the training list and be eligible to be called out the candidate will have to demonstrate they have the gear required to keep themselves functional in whatever conditions and terrain they choose to search in and attest to their hiking ability. Minimum gear should include a base layer, insulating layer and a waterproof breathable shell. You should also carry a personal first aid kit and anything else you might need to keep you going. Two liters of water and food for 12 hours and a backpack to carry it all in. Finally, a good pair of over the ankle hiking boots. Additional gear can be added as your experience grows.
Certification
Although certification is not currently required to participate in Search and Rescue missions in New Mexico, it is only a matter of time before it will be. Therefore, we encourage interested persons to pursue becoming certified. The New Mexico Search and Rescue Council webpage (scroll down to field certification) outlines the process to become field certified in Search and Rescue in the state of New Mexico. The Study Guide, which can be found by clicking here, is a good place to start your training. The guide covers gear and clothing, search techniques, navigation, communication and safety.