PCSAR

The Pennington County Search and Rescue (PCSAR) team was formed in October 1973 to provide emergency services in and around Pennington County.

The purpose of PCSAR is to protect lives and property. PCSAR assists fire departments, law enforcement agencies and ambulance services within the Rapid City-Pennington County area.

New Recruit Training

New recruit training for PCSAR generally takes four months to complete. All training is done in-house by experienced PCSAR Team Members and Special Resources. NASAR Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (FUNSAR) is taught to exceed the national standard and covers topics such as search management, search functions, incident management, and search tactics. The classroom portion is completed over one weekend and navigation practicals and other hands-on activities are done during a Saturday training. The South Dakota Rescue Technician (ERT) course covers trench rescue, vehicle extrication, mass casualty, high-angle rescue, and water rescue. This course is taught over a course of two months, with several classroom sessions and related hands-on classes and practicals. At the completion of this course, students are required to take and pass the SD Rescue Tech test, at which point he/she is a state certified Rescue Technician.

Upon completion of all required training, the new recruit is voted on the team as a probationary team member. This is a three-month time period where the new recruit has a chance to respond to calls and actively participate in the advanced trainings. At the end of the three months, the officers will evaluate the performance of the probationary team member and, if satisfactory, he/she will be voted on the team as a full member. If the probationary team member's performance is deemed unsatisfactory based on the team standards, the training officer will work with him/her to improve his/her skills and his/her status will be reevaluated after three months. More Information

Extrication

PCSAR performs extrication of victims of vehicle accidents. This extrication equipment can also be used for farm or construction equipment extrication, aircraft extrication, train extrication, etc. PCSAR is the primary provider of this service outside the city limits of Rapid City. PCSAR also provides backup to the Rapid City Fire Department.

Search

PCSAR performs searches for lost persons. Several team members are qualified as search team leaders. All team members are qualified as hasty search team members. PCSAR has trained extensively with the use of air and ground scent dogs and can call upon these resources when needed.

Carry-out

PCSAR will perform or assist in carry-out of accident or medical problem victims in remote areas.

Rope Rescue

PCSAR can safely rescue someone who requires technical application of rope rescue. There are several experienced mountain climbers on the team.

Cave Rescue

PCSAR performs the rescue of victims in underground caves and mine shafts. This often includes both searching for the victim and safely moving them to the surface.

Cascade System

PCSAR has a mobile system for refilling air bottles; primarily air breathing apparatus used by fire departments. This system can also fill diving bottles for the Dive Rescue Team.

Mass Casualty

PCSAR has a vehicle equipped with supplies for a mass casualty situation such as an aircraft accident, bus accident, flood, tornado, etc.

Weather Watch and Rescue

PCSAR members perform monitoring for early tornado and flash flood warnings, blizzard operations, and other weather-related emergencies. The team operates two tracked vehicles for severe winter weather operations.

Trench Rescue

PCSAR can remove victims of a trench cave-in. Special bracing equipment, air support, heating, and lighting can be provided.

Mobile Command

PCSAR has a vehicle equipped as a mobile command post. The vehicle includes a full communications suite with all local and regional emergency services radio frequencies available.