Managing Land Search Operations (MLSO)

Click here for a brief article a MLSO seminar in Coos Bay, Oregon in Jun 2007. The instructor has worked with ERI on past courses and is using ERI's Textbook and course materials.

Click here for a local webpage with a story about the course, or click on this "short video" link.

“Managing Land Search Operations” 5-day course is designed for those who have the responsibility to plan and prepare for search operations in wilderness, rural or urban environments. The course was also designed to provide a comprehensive methodology in search for use by local governments and other land management jurisdictions. The course and its accompanying student text are now the search management "standard" in nine countries. The same methodologies are also being used for evidence searches in both small and large-scale police operations and prison breaks.

This is not a field skills course; it is management oriented. Participants will learn how to plan for, organize and manage a search effort for missing persons using incident management (ICS) or the locally established management structure. The emphasis is on resources needed to do the job right and a recurring cycle of management processes. Participants, who successfully complete this course, should be able to properly manage a search effort for a lost person in the most efficient and productive manner possible. Small group discussion and 4 actual case study tabletop map exercises are used throughout the course.

The Course

The course is packed with information featuring the selection of ten map exercises that can be used depending on the region of the U.S. or

country in the world where the course is being conducted. Presentations are in the latest PowerPoint computer generated formats. Please inquire about out detailed Plan of Instruction for this training.

Course Content

National Search Picture (specific to each country where course is being conducted)
The Search Manager's Job and Responsibilities
Concepts of Effective Search Methodology
An Example Case Study that Went Wrong
SAR Vulnerability Assessment
Search Resources
Developing a SAR Plan
Planning Data/Searching Data and SAR statistics
First notice and Determining Urgency
Procedures
Organization and Incident Management (Command)
Investigation and Interviewing
Lost Subject Behavior
Intro to the Theory of Search Probabilities
Establishing, Designating, Tracking and Prioritizing the Search Area
Applying SAR Resources
Search Tactics - Strategies to Maximize Probability of Detection
On-Scene Planning
Clue Orientation
Briefing and Debriefing
Documentation
Search Base Operations
External Influences
Rescue and Recovery Concepts
Suspending the Mission
Demobilization and Post Mission Tasks
Psychological and Stress Problems in Search Management
Legal issues
Searching in the Urban Environment
Use of Computer Technology
Preventive SAR Education