Thirty-four Police staff from districts across the country have taken their first steps with search and rescue (SAR) – starting with a course that provided realism, work with partners and complex challenges.
Across an intensive two-week Police National Search and Rescue Qualification Course in May, the participants focused on building the foundational skills for operating safely in the field.
Held at Marlborough’s Dip Flat, the landscape offered spectacular terrain and sunny days, but cold nights with heavy frosts that tested the participants’ resilience and reinforced the realities of operating in austere SAR environments.
The course is held annually and forms the beginning of the SAR training pathway, says Senior Sergeant Lea Smith, National Coordinator: Search and Rescue.
“It equips members with the essential skills and knowledge required to progressively develop toward becoming qualified SAR Managers.”
The course has been designed to establish a strong operational foundation. It combines safety-focused field skills with an introduction to search management concepts.
That means learning about search management and planning, tracking, navigation, preserving and interpreting evidence at wilderness sites, river crossing techniques, and stretcher handling and rope management – critical for extracting casualties in difficult terrain.
The participants were supported by staff drawn from across all Police districts.
“We had 10 staff directing and tutoring the participants, sharing their expertise and providing a high standard of instruction and mentorship,” says Lea.
“The programme also benefits greatly from strong partnerships across agencies and the wider community.”
The course sees input from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), which provided the training facility and NH90 helicopter and crew, and the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ), which is a key SAR sector partner.
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) provided essential communications support during exercises, while local landowners, Rainbow Ski Area and the Department of Conservation enabled access to diverse terrain.
“A highlight of the course was the support of the RNZAF NH90 helicopter and crew.
“This allowed the participants to observe and integrate air support into SAR operations and also gain experience in helicopter safety and winching when deployed into the field.”
Participants were put through their paces working through a series of increasingly complex exercises, which culminated in a demanding three-day scenario.
Tasked with locating a group of overdue hunters across an area exceeding 1,000 square kilometres, the participants had to effectively apply field safety skills and emerging search management principles.
The large-scale exercise brought together all elements of the course, challenging participants to operate safely, think critically, and work cohesively in a realistic and dynamic SAR environment.
It was a challenging but fantastic fortnight of training, says Lea.
“We have prepared another cohort of Police SAR practitioners with the foundational skills required to support and deliver SAR responses in their own districts.
“The success of the course reflects a strong collective effort and highlights the continued commitment of Police and partner agencies to strengthen national SAR capability.”