Multi-Unit Search Exercise in Houghton County
Hancock, MI – Members of Superior Search & Rescue (SSAR), Baraga County Search & Rescue (BCSAR), and Marquette County Search & Rescue (MCSAR) participated on Saturday February 25th in a full-scale missing person search exercise between Hancock and Calumet. The search exercise started around 0830 and concluded at 1730 with an After Action Briefing after. All three teams utilized ground teams, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and K9 units to search for the participant acting as the subject.
The exercise involved a trained survivalist who acted as a vulnerable adult walking away from Canal View of Houghton. Search teams located the subject by the end of the exercise approximately 4.4 miles North Northeast of Canal View. The exercise was made more realistic with actors playing as family and other various roles. Search teams were deployed in accordance with Lost Person Behavior and utilizing trained methodology to search for the actor.
“This has been the culmination of the full revamp of our training program over the last year. Our team has been redeveloping training to better suit the needs of our community. I also want to integrate with other teams in the Upper Peninsula as to have a coordinated response in the future.” – Darian Reed, President, Superior SAR
The focus of this exercise was to be the final exercise in Superior SAR’s revamped training program. Members train twice monthly in classroom and field exercise across the region in various topics and skills to support a field operation. Integrating other teams into the exercise was also a major priority to see how each team interacts together and how to better improve for future response. The future goal is to have twice-yearly search exercises with various teams in the Upper Peninsula.
“Marquette County Search and Rescue was happy to be invited and participate in the training exercise planned by Superior Search and Rescue. We feel it is important to build bonds and work together as frequently as possible. This exercise was a great opportunity to learn and integrate with each other’s teams. It is good to know that we have neighboring resources to call upon when we need help. Marquette County Search and Rescue looks forward to continuing to build on this event and work closer with Superior Search and Rescue and all the teams in our area. ” – Brian Kurin, Marquette County Sheriff’s Office
Superior Search & Rescue would like to thank all the people and agencies involved with this putting this exercise together.
Jerry Saunders of Corvus Survival Consulting, Shanelle Saunders, Kim Salmi and Canal View of Houghton, Patricia Helsel of the MTU Visual and Performing Arts Department and Head of Theatre and Electronic Media Performance, Lucy Straubel, Alex Dannels, Becca Feber, and Marina Terenzi from the MTU Visual and Performing Arts Department, Magnuson Hotel Copper Crown, Houghton County Sheriff's Office along with Project Lifesaver, Michigan State Police Negaunee Regional Dispatch center, Baraga County Search & Rescue, and the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office and Search & Rescue.
