Name: Gary Role: Search Technician, Bike Team and Tracker Joined SusSAR: Spring 2006

Employment
My background is in teaching and I have had various jobs over the last few years, including working at an Outdoor Ed. Centre, mentoring students at a Special School and working as an Area Coordinator for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. I currently work for a charity called Sustrans, on a project that helps to promote cycling to young people.

Background & Outdoor Experiences
I have had a love of the outdoors since my childhood, and enjoy any sorts of activities that get me out in the fresh air and away from the crowds. I have been a keen rock climber in the past and dabble in many other sports besides. However, progressively more of my time is nowadays spent cycling both on and off road, with the added impetus of the odd compeitive race.

Why I joined SusSAR
Part of my longer term master plan is to move to the Lake District or West Country, with the ambition of becoming involved in a Mountain Rescue team. As someone that is often out in the hills, I really appreciate the service that these volunteer teams provide and the professionalism in which they carry out their work. So whilst I am based in the flatter lands of the South East, the experience of being involved with SusSAR is helping me to develop a wide number of skills that I hope will be of value should I ever realise my ambition.

Steps to become operational
I stumbled across SusSAR by chance when I saw the Unit vehicle parked at Shoreham Airport. I found out more details through this website and I submitted my expression of interest form. When my form had been viewed I was invited along to a new member's evening in a local pub where some of the existing members of the unit gave an overview of what membership of the Unit entails. Following that evening, I was invited to the next monthly training evening as a probationary member. Six months later I succesfully completed the search technician's training course at the UK Lowland Search Institute and became an operational member of the team. Since that time I have become involved in co-ordinating the Unit's Mountain Bike Team and have attended a Trackers course so that I can utilise these skills when I'm searching on the bike.

The time commitment and what I've enjoyed
The amount of time that membership of the Unit entails is very much up to the individual. Whilst there is a basic time commitment to attand training and help with occasional fundraising activities, there are also opportunites to become involved in committee work and to take a lead with some of the other roles within the Unit such as PR, equipment maintenance and organising Unit training. As one of the Unit members without yet the responsibility of a family, I am able to commit a bit more time then others and enjoy helping out with some of these jobs that go towards keeping the Unit running smoothly.