ESCAPE 2017 - Highlights
ALMOST 200 IN ATTENDANCE AT LAS CRUCES ESCAPE CONFERENCE!
ESCAPE 2017 was held at the Las Cruces Convention Center from March 31 - April 2. Almost 200 SAR volunteers from 30 New Mexico teams attended this year’s event either as participants or instructors or both! We had 34 instructors help us sharpen our SAR skills and learn new ones over the three-day event. And there were a number of guests from other SAR-related organizations, too! The weekend’s events left us with 34 new Field Certified volunteers. We had 11 individuals pass their HAM exam and achieve their Technical License and another three upgrade to the General Class License. Congratulations to all.
We had special guests, too. Robert Rodgers, State Resource Officer, updated us on statewide SAR activities and initiatives. Bob Baker, Area Commander and the NMSARC representative to the New Mexico SAR Review Board, provided a report on Review Board activities. Robert Koester, author of Lost Person Behavior, spoke at dinner on Saturday evening and presented a three-hour workshop.
Rescue Tactics and Training from Albuquerque offered a variety of technical SAR gear. Exhibits included Civil Air Patrol, NMSARC Communications and the NMSARC Mapping Program, one of our best kept secrets. NMSARC also had a merchandise table; this year's black polo with an embroidered NMSARC logo was popular, along with bumper stickers and patches.
We recognized our fallen heroes: Kurt Parkinson (Field Coordinator D2, San Miguel SAR), Anita Winona (Luna County SAR Secretary), K-9s Atika (Handler Randy Bouet, K-9 Search & Rescue) and Selah (Handler Tom Morrish, Grant County SAR).
ESCAPE 2017 was held at the Las Cruces Convention Center from March 31 - April 2. Almost 200 SAR volunteers from 30 New Mexico teams attended this year’s event either as participants or instructors or both! We had 34 instructors help us sharpen our SAR skills and learn new ones over the three-day event. And there were a number of guests from other SAR-related organizations, too! The weekend’s events left us with 34 new Field Certified volunteers. We had 11 individuals pass their HAM exam and achieve their Technical License and another three upgrade to the General Class License. Congratulations to all.
We had special guests, too. Robert Rodgers, State Resource Officer, updated us on statewide SAR activities and initiatives. Bob Baker, Area Commander and the NMSARC representative to the New Mexico SAR Review Board, provided a report on Review Board activities. Robert Koester, author of Lost Person Behavior, spoke at dinner on Saturday evening and presented a three-hour workshop.
Rescue Tactics and Training from Albuquerque offered a variety of technical SAR gear. Exhibits included Civil Air Patrol, NMSARC Communications and the NMSARC Mapping Program, one of our best kept secrets. NMSARC also had a merchandise table; this year's black polo with an embroidered NMSARC logo was popular, along with bumper stickers and patches.
We recognized our fallen heroes: Kurt Parkinson (Field Coordinator D2, San Miguel SAR), Anita Winona (Luna County SAR Secretary), K-9s Atika (Handler Randy Bouet, K-9 Search & Rescue) and Selah (Handler Tom Morrish, Grant County SAR).
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During the General Meeting:
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Many thanks to this year’s ESCAPE Track Leads:
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We welcomed many new members to the NMSARC Board this year:
Jon Hitchcock (Civil Air Patrol), Terry Ann Miller (Pajarito K9 SAR, New Mexico Working K9s), Grant Reigelman (Philmont SAR), Ruth Neal (Mountain Canine Corps) and Scott Voorhees (Santa Fe Sheriff’s Posse) were elected to full three-year terms. With our five continuing board members (Aimee Adamek, Michaela Buenemann, Sean McGann, Terry Morton, David Price), this brings the Board to 11! The NMSARC Board is considering options in the north for ESCAPE 2018. Keep an eye on the NMSAR Forum for updates regarding next year’s event!
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(L-R) Jon Hitchcock, Grant Reigelman, Terry Ann Miller, Sean McGann, Aimee Adamek, Michaela Buenemann, David Price (Terry Morton, Ruth Neal, Eric Roybal and Scott Voorhees not shown)
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SILENT AUCTION
Rescue Tactics and Training, REI, and the New Mexico State University Outdoor Store donated many items to the silent auction, as did a number of our SAR teams and individual members. The auction raised more than $3,600 to support NMSARC programs including the annual ESCAPE Conference.
Rescue Tactics and Training, REI, and the New Mexico State University Outdoor Store donated many items to the silent auction, as did a number of our SAR teams and individual members. The auction raised more than $3,600 to support NMSARC programs including the annual ESCAPE Conference.
The following donated or solicited items for this year’s silent auction:
Atrisco Cafe & Bar, Batteries + Bulbs-Santa Fe, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Capitol Ford Lincoln - Santa Fe, Cid's Market, Cheryl Price, David Price, Eldorado Country Pet & Wild Bird, Five Star Burgers, Friends of NMSAR, Harry's Roadhouse, Horse n Hound Feed N Supply, Jinja Bar & Bistro, John Brooks Eldorado Supermarket, Las Colcheras Quilting Guild, Lorie Stauffer, Massage Therapy Training Institute, Melissa Pfeiffer, Mountain Canine Corps, National Association for Search & Rescue, New Mexico Search & Rescue Council, New Mexico State University Outdoor Recreation Store, New Mexico Working K9s, NM SAR Support Team, Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad, Pajarito Canine SAR, Pecos Trail Cafe, Petsmart, REI New Mexico, Rescue Tactics and Training, Salon PuraVida-Santa Fe, Sandia Search Dogs, Santa Fe Bar and Grill, SAR Shop, SeanMcGann, Second Street Brewery, Si Senor Restaurant - Las Cruces, Spenser Moreland, Steve Crawford, Uli Blann
Atrisco Cafe & Bar, Batteries + Bulbs-Santa Fe, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Capitol Ford Lincoln - Santa Fe, Cid's Market, Cheryl Price, David Price, Eldorado Country Pet & Wild Bird, Five Star Burgers, Friends of NMSAR, Harry's Roadhouse, Horse n Hound Feed N Supply, Jinja Bar & Bistro, John Brooks Eldorado Supermarket, Las Colcheras Quilting Guild, Lorie Stauffer, Massage Therapy Training Institute, Melissa Pfeiffer, Mountain Canine Corps, National Association for Search & Rescue, New Mexico Search & Rescue Council, New Mexico State University Outdoor Recreation Store, New Mexico Working K9s, NM SAR Support Team, Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad, Pajarito Canine SAR, Pecos Trail Cafe, Petsmart, REI New Mexico, Rescue Tactics and Training, Salon PuraVida-Santa Fe, Sandia Search Dogs, Santa Fe Bar and Grill, SAR Shop, SeanMcGann, Second Street Brewery, Si Senor Restaurant - Las Cruces, Spenser Moreland, Steve Crawford, Uli Blann
FINANCIAL SPONSORS
We had many wonderful financial sponsors this year! Many not only assisted us financially but also donated items for the Silent Auction.
We had many wonderful financial sponsors this year! Many not only assisted us financially but also donated items for the Silent Auction.
- Platinum Level ($600 or more): Casa Mesita, Long Leash on Life
- Gold Level ($300 - $599): New Mexico Mounted SAR, Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad, Santa Fe Search and Rescue; Friend of NM SAR; Pioneer Bank of Roswell, WLP Management
- Silver Level ($150 - $299): Friends of Organ Mountain, Las Cruces Motor Sports
- Bronze Level ($50 - $149): Cameron Veterinary Clinic, Toyota of Santa Fe, White Mountain SAR
ESCAPE Photo Slide Show
courtesy of ESCAPE participants
courtesy of ESCAPE participants
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