Spring SAR Symposium
Spring SAR Symposium 2025
π Dates: Saturday, May 17 β Sunday, May 18, 2025
π Location: UAA Allied Health Sciences Building, 3500 Seawolf Drive,Anchorage, Alaska
β³ Time: 8:00 AM β 4:30 PM
The Spring SAR Symposium is a hands-on training and networking event for Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers in Southcentral Alaska. This event is designed to refresh SAR skills, learn from case studies, and strengthen collaboration among teams.
What to Expect
β Skill Workshops β Clue awareness, navigation, search tactics, K9 SAR, medical skills, and more
β Case Studies & Panel Discussions β Real-world SAR lessons from experienced teams
β Networking & Collaboration β Meet SAR volunteers and strengthen team coordination
β Field Training Exercises β Hands-on practice with rigging, patient transport, orienteering, and more
Who Should Attend?
This symposium is open to SAR volunteers, first responders, and team members looking to improve their search and rescue skills and build stronger working relationships across Alaskaβs SAR community.
Draft Agenda (Subject to change β final version will be shared closer to the event)
Saturday, May 17
8:00 AM β Registration & Coffee
9:00 AM β Welcome Message (Auditorium)
9:15 AM β Team Introductions (10 min per team, Auditorium)
[Has your team submitted their profile yet? Do that here: https://forms.office.com/r/TssWimkQbS]
10:45 AM β Break (15 min)
11:00 AM β Rescue Coordination Center: Who Are They and What Do They Do? (Auditorium)
11:20 AM β Communications Showcase (Auditorium)
π½οΈ 12:00 PM β Lunch Break
1:00 PM β Case Study Panel: Lessons from Tough Searches(Auditorium)
2:00 PM β Break
2:30 PM β Breakout Sessions:
Room 1: Case Studies (Have one you'd like to share? Tell us about it here: https://forms.office.com/r/Wht5Lyp3de)
Room 2: SARTopo Operations
Room 3: K9-SAR Integration with Ground Searchers
Auditorium: Solving Common Communication Challenges in SAR
Outdoor Field: Rigging Systems for Rescue
4:30 PM β Closing & Feedback Survey (Auditorium)
Sunday, May 18
8:00 AM β Coffee & Networking
9:00 AM β What ASARA and AIMT Can Do for You (Auditorium)
10:00 AM β Keynote Speaker: Early Activation & Standby Best Practices (Auditorium)
10:45 AM β Break (15 min)
11:00 AM β Structured Networking Discussions on SAR Challenges & Innovations (Breakout Rooms)
11:40 AM β Teams Report Out (Auditorium)
π½οΈ 12:00 PM β Lunch Break
1:00 PM β Breakout Sessions:
Room 1: Case Studies (Have one you'd like to share? Tell us about it here: https://forms.office.com/r/Wht5Lyp3de)
Room 2: SARTopo Operations
Room 3: Backcountry Medical Skills Challenge
Auditorium: Psychological First Responder Resilience
Outdoor Field: Motorized Patient Transport: Best Practices & Equipment Showcase
2:30 PM β Break
3:00 PM β Breakout Sessions:
Room 1: Case Studies (Have one you'd like to share? Tell us about it here: https://forms.office.com/r/Wht5Lyp3de)
Room 2: sUAS Integration in SAR
Room 3: Mixed Team Management
Auditorium: Refining SAR Decision-Making for Incident Commanders (ICs)
Outdoor Field: SARTopo Orienteering Course & Navigation Challenge
4:30 PM β Closing (Auditorium)
π Registration & More Information: https://forms.office.com/r/LiG0ULNnZi
For questions, please contact Manch Garhart (mgarhart@aimt-sar.org) or Shelby Carlson (stersteeg@aimt-sar.org).