There is a state test that anyone may take to become a qualified NM state SAR field responder. Special emphasis on the “field” part of the certification—it is intended to ensure that those who enter the field can be self-sufficient, and not become a subject themselves1. Note it’s sometimes called the PACE test, for the “Policy Advisory Committee on Education” that wrote it. Additional details can be found on the NMSARC webpage, but we’ll give you a quick rundown here.
Passing the test doesn’t mean that you automatically get called for searches, or assigned to a team or anything like that. Conversely, not taking the test does not prevent you from going into the field on a mission with a team (that’s up to the team). Usually, an interested person will join their local team, hang out on trainings and missions, and then eventually take the state test. The team itself has to maintain 75% of their people qualified though to stay on the state’s good side, so help them out as soon as you’re ready by jumping through the testing hoop…
The test is typically offered multiple times a year, in various locations. There’s no fixed schedule, you can contact the PACE chairperson (listed on the NMSARC webpage) to request information on the next one.
The test has four requirements:
1. Pre-emptive completion of online FEMA ICS-100 and -200 courses
Use the online portal, get credit for the ICS-100 and ICS-200 material. It’s an introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS) which is what New Mexico has adopted for managing SAR incidents. Bring proof of training completion with you to the field certification test.
2. Required gear.
You need to bring a satisfactory version of these items to the test. They’ll check each one and if you’re missing one you are politely dismissed. I reproduce here, verbatim, the list that is located in the Study Guide. I didn’t write this, it sure isn’t my list, don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just telling you want they’re going to require at the test. For my list of recommended SAR field gear, check out the gear page.
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Sturdy work gloves
- Head cover(s)
- Gloves and/or mittens
- Socks (and extras)
- Layer Clothing
- Inner layer (basic underwear, long underwear – bottoms and tops)
- Middle layer(s) for warmth (bottoms and tops)
- Outer layer for wind and water protection (bottoms and top with hood)
- Note: Although cotton and cotton-blend clothing may be included in a summertime pack, each candidate for Certification must also have non-cotton/cotton blend clothing inner layers
- Pack or container to carry/hold the required gear and clothing
- Eye protection
- Food for 24 hours
- Water (2 quarts minimum)
- Only the water containers need to brought to the Certification session
- Knife
- Fire starter
- Compass with 5 degree accuracy
- Map of search area
- A map does not have to be brought to the Certification session
- Whistle
- Signal mirror
- Glass or mil-spec plastic with mesh around sighting hole
- Light source (flashlight or headlamp, plus extra batteries and replacement bulbs)
- Personal first aid kit
- Space blanket
- Pencil or pen and paper
- 20 ft of 1 inch tubular webbing or 20 ft of 8mm climbing/rescue cord (kernmantle construction)
Some of my notes on the above, limiting myself the briefest of comments:
- “food for 24 hours” is very personal, and can consist of a handful of bars/goos etc
- “Fire starter” can be a lighter
- “Whistle” can be the one on your pack, if you happen to have one of those buckles with a built-in whistle
- “Personal first aid kit” is “whatever you need for yourself” which could be a roll of tape and nothing else, its just for your own personal needs
I’ll be honest, I think some of the items on the list are ridiculous. As mentioned, I have my own list and gear discussion. There is at least one glaring omission that I can’t let pass without commenting: a gps device. Preferably a cell phone with mapping app installed and backup battery. No SAR responder should be going into the field without a GPS solution and extensive experience with using it.
Most solid outdoors people will have 95% of the stuff on the list. There are a few outliers though. Many people will need to purchase a “mil spec or equivalent” signaling mirror (I did, when I took it) and perhaps a 20 ft hank of webbing. The signaling mirror is ridiculous in my opinion, but perhaps it serves as a tiny hurdle that has nothing to do with its utility (perhaps the state wants people that are willing to read the list and able to follow the instructions?).
I made an amazon list with some of the things that people might not already have, in case it’s convenient. It doesn’t have everything on there, just some of the items that are weird or maybe hard to find a decent quality version.
3. A multiple-choice test (old school paper & pencil)
A sample of all the questions that you might be asked is provided in the back of the study guide.
4. A practical compass test
When your turn comes, you wander outside the building with the instructor and they’ll point at a landmark. You need to be able to take a bearing on the landmark, and be accurate to plus/minus 10 degrees. Ostensibly they may request that you to convert the magnetic bearing to a true bearing (declination, baby!), but in practice I think they only request the magnetic bearing off the compass. It’s not that hard, either way. When I get a chance I’ll write up a brief tutorial (contact me if you’re interested, that will motivate me to know that someone cares).
And then…
After you pass the test, you know exactly as much as you did before you passed the test. The test does not give you the necessary skills you need to be good in the field. You may already have been an outdoor rockstar before the test (most are, or they wouldn’t be looking to volunteer for this). Either way, the test is a minor hurdle that demonstrates at least a minimal level of commitment to SAR. The test is easy. The hardest part is saying “yes”.