What to Expect 

✅ Skill Workshops 
✅ Case Studies & Panel Discussions 
✅ Networking & Collaboration
✅ Field Training Exercises 

Who Should Attend? 

This symposium is open to SAR volunteers, first responders, partner agencies, and team members looking to improve their search and rescue skills and build stronger working relationships across Alaska’s SAR community. 

Pre-Symposium Offering

We are excited to announce a FULL-DAY training provided by Responder Alliance on Friday, May 15.

☀️AM Sessions: Best for all search and rescue members. This session will teach you the Stress Continuum model, with tools for recognizing stress impact, improving team communication, and developing long-term stress resilience.

🌑PM Sessions: Recommended for resilience teams, peer support, and organization leadership. This session provides tools for recognition of Potentially Traumatic Events, then guides responders though a science-based structure for addressing individual needs after high-risk incidents. It will also teach the framework for developing a culture of health and stress resilience.

Virtual Attendance

Want to attend but can't come in person? We are expanding our virtual version of the event to include breakout sessions as well as general sessions!

Draft Agenda

Saturday, May 16

8:00 AM – Registration & Coffee 

9:00 AM – Welcome Message 

9:15 AM – Icebreakers 

9:45 AM – Keynote Speaker: Managing Risk Under Pressure 

11:00 AM – Cell Phone Forensics for Searchers 

🍽️ 12:00 PM – Lunch Break 

1:00 PM – Discussion Panel 

2:30 PM – Breakout Sessions: 

• Avalanche Assessment 

• Case Studies 

• CalTopo 

• Behind the Scenes of Running a SAR Team 

• Rigging Systems for Rescue 

4:30 PM – Wrap Up 

Sunday, May 17

8:00 AM – Coffee & Networking 

9:00 AM – What ASARA and AIMT Can Do for You  

10:45 AM – Partner Agency Round Robin 

🍽️ 12:00 PM – Lunch Break 

1:00 PM – Radio Operations and Troubleshooting 

2:00 PM – Where SAR Meets the Law  

2:30 PM – Breakout Sessions: 

• When We Find Them: The Role of the Medical Examiner 

• Case Studies 

• Resources from the Red Cross 

• Remote Uses of CalTopo + Meshtastic 

• Patient Packaging and Transport 

4:30 PM – Closing  

📌 Registration & More Information: https://forms.office.com/r/JAKDmmaHwk 

For questions, please contact Manch Garhart (mgarhart@aimt-sar.org) or Shelby Carlson (stersteeg@aimt-sar.org). 

📥 Resources

Check out featured resources, slide decks, recordings, and more!

Slide Decks: Day One

Slide Decks: Day Two

Structured Discussions on SAR Challenges & Innovations

CalTopo Handouts

CalTopo Orienteering Course