Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

4 locals attend tracking class

With the vast open spaces and geographical diversity of Jefferson County, a search and rescue organization is a necessity.

Knowing they could be needed at anytime in any weather condition, continual training is vital for members of the local Jefferson Valley Search and Rescue.

Earlier this month, four members of the organization headed to the Indiana University Geological Station in Cardwell to take part in a 24-hour sanctioned Joel Hardin Professional Tracking Services class. Jefferson Valley Search and Rescue members Cody Hagerty, Dan Hagerty, John Schramm, and Ron Howser all gained new Basic certifications for completing the visual tracking and training course.

Both Cody and Dan Hagerty stressed the importance of training not only yearly, but also once a month. Cody said to keep certified they are required to do training once a year, but they still met once a month to sharpen their skills.

While they have not had to use tracking skills from a Hardin class, Dan said they have been able to work with them in mock simulations, and will be a huge benefit to the organization when they do need to use them. He said the training will be able to get them going in the right direction, to be able to find tracks, and can really make a difference is saving someone's life.

Dave Reintsma is no stranger to taking classes from the Joel Hardin Professional Tracking Services and has implemented them through his work for the Ruby Valley Search and Rescue. He received an Apprentice Certification at the August class. Reintsma used the example of applying the training to find a lost hunter and discussed different things that go into the tracking including age, composition, time, mental state and experience.

For Dan, tracking is particularly challenging, and compared it to putting together puzzle pieces to see "a sign".

TRACKING AND TRAINING COURSE

The class included a power point presentation to provide Novice and Basic tracker understanding of training methodology, techniques and procedures.

The goals of the power point were to support field training by giving the student an understanding of training methods, manner and objective.

The course content sheet states that "Tracking" is a first response primary search resource used to verify witness statements, establish the "PLS", direction of subject travel and following the physical evidence to the missing person.

"Field training will allow "student tracking team" experimentation and "hands-on" practice of fundamental tracking techniques. This is a "skill development" training program for Apprentice and Journeyman Tracker students. Students at these levels have acquired Basic Tracker understanding and will be introduced to practical tracking techniques and applications necessary to become a viable resource for SAR missions. Students at all training levels will be individually challenged with additional advanced tracking concepts and techniques. Journeyman Tracker students will be provided advanced training objectives working with Novice and Apprentice students and separately in simulated actual SAR and law enforcement mission scenarios," the course sheet states.

Among the instructions at the class was Brian Zerbe of Wyoming, who has been with the Joel Hardin program since 2005. He said the biggest part of using the tracking is to see a sign, or to see a footprint. He used an example of a case in Wyoming where a bank robber had left his vehicle. While they were unable to apprehend him, Zerbe said they were able to use their training to see he had left the area on train coal car. He added while it is best to get to a sign within five or six hours, he has been able to track ones over a year old.

Cody said that members of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, law enforcement and other search and rescue organizations also attended the recent training.

 

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