Search & Rescue Initial Actions - In-Person [26-003]

SAR Initial Actions - In-Person

Dates: 18 May 2026

Times: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm ET

Location: 125 Puddintown Rd, State College PA

Cost: $95.00

Search and Rescue Initial Actions (SARIA)

The Search and Rescue Initial Actions (SARIA) course is a one-day training course designed for first responders such as law enforcement officers, fire officers, EMS officers, EMA personnel, and for trained SAR team members. It focuses on the critical initial steps and decision-making processes needed during the early stages of a search and rescue (SAR) operation, whether in urban or wilderness settings. The course equips participants with the skills to effectively manage SAR incidents from the onset until more specialized help arrives or the operation moves into additional operational periods. Key teachings include how to utilize and prepare maps, work with any available resources, employ the Lost Person Behavior teaching and statistics for strategic planning, establish containment, and efficiently prioritize and request appropriate resources with the goal of preventing the situation from escalating.

Class Length: 8 Hours

Prerequisites: None

• Suggested: IS-100, IS-700, Completion of the online SARTopo for SAR Teams or CALTopo for Mission Management (NASAR)

SARIA Suggested Texts & References:

1. Lost Person Behavior - Robert J. Koester (Book or Mobile Application REQUIRED)
2. NASAR Pocket Response Guide
3. Initial Actions Pocket Pamphlet

Meals & Lodging:

1. No meals are being provided as part of this course through SRTC. No lodging arrangements have been made at this time.
2. Please plan to have lunch with you at the course. Lunches will be treated as workshops for the working groups.

Student Material Needs:

1. Laptop or Tablet with mouse
2. 8 gb thumb drive
3. Note taking materials (Pencils, Pens, Tablet or Legal Pad)
4. Copy of required texts and references

Combined SARIA & MLPI Course Policies

Registration Policy:

Payment in full is required to reserve your spot in the course / exam. Tuition is non-transferable and is payable by check, credit card, PayPal, or Money Order. Tuition covers instructor time & travel, site rental fees (as applicable), exam / course equipment, and NASAR certification fees. SRTC is not obligated to allow any student to attend a course until SRTC paperwork has been received, reviewed and approved by SRTC. A full refund will be given if we need to cancel the course for any reason.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

If a student cancels out of a course or withdrawals from a course or exam:

1. If greater than or equal to 30 days prior to the starting date of the course, SRTC will retain a $35.00 administrative fee.
2. At 30 days or less from the starting date of the course all tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable to another course or student.
3. Participants that withdrawal at or within 30 days of the course are still responsible for cancelation fees and full course tuition payment submission.
4. A full refund will be given to each student if SRTC Cancels the course for any reason.

Late Payment Policy: 

Participants that register and choose pay via company check, personal check, or money order must submit payment in a timely manner. Payment is due no later than 10 days after your registrations is submitted. If payment is not post marked prior to this date a late fee will be assessed. Late fees will either be invoiced separately or added to any outstanding balance.

1. Initial late payment assessment fee is $25.00 for this course.
2. An additional fee of $10.00 per day will also be assessed if payment is delayed past 14 days from registration and this late fee is retroactive to the date of registration.

SRTC / NASAR Student Agreements: (Including Assumption of Risks and Agreement of Release of Indemnity)

A Sergeant Rescue & NASAR course student agreement will be included as part of your registration and is required for completion of registration. Please sign it and read it carefully as it affects your legal rights. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must sign the document as well. Without a signed document, you cannot participate in the course. SRTC course participants, including minors, will have unsupervised free time throughout the above mentioned course / exam. Any activities during the free time are not part of the SRTC program or proctored exam, and are at the sole risk of the participant.