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 competitive 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 successfully 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 attend
training and help with occasional fundraising activities, there are
also opportunities 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.