Monthly Online Training Program

The MRA Education Committee is proud to announce “Third Thursdays,” a new online MRA Rescuer Education Program.

In this new world where online rescue team trainings are commonplace, your MRA Education Committee has developed a new program to supplement your team’s training regimen with monthly interactive MRA online trainings that would be delivered using zoom.

These trainings will draw upon the expertise within and outside our MRA family, and bring our vast experience to a national platform for our MRA teams.  We will hold them live on the evening of the third Thursday of each month, but also record them for later viewing on our MRA web site.

Next Event
Thursday September 16, 2021

“Integrating Civilian SAR into Helicopter Hoist Rescue Programs.”

These days we are seeing more military, State, County, and private helicopter hoist rescueprograms integrate civilian SAR members into theiroperations. To do so safely, theseprograms employ a wide variety of trainings, certifications, and currency requirements. In thisprogram, we will profile a number of programs that have effectively utilized civilian SARmembers in complex external loadhelicopter rescue operations.BIOsØyvind Henningsenis the Team Coordinator and a Rescue Technician with the SnohomishCounty Helicopter Rescue Team.Dale Wangis a veteran of Rocky Mountain Rescue Groupand a Colorado Hoist Rescue Technician with the Colorado National Guard.Jason Williamsisthe Director of the International Mountain Medicine Center at the University of New Mexicoandformedtheirhelicopter rescue team in collaboration with Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office AirSupport Unit.CharleyShimanskiMountain Rescue Program Coordinator of Flight For LifeColoradoand collaborates with Air Zermatt on training programs.

Next Third Thursday link

FACILITATORS:
Øyvind Henningsen, Dale Wang, Jason Williams, Carley Shimanski

ThirdThursday_Sept21_IntroPage
Upcoming Events

Thursday October 21, 2021

“MRA Significant Mission Debrief”
“

Thursday November 18, 2021
“More Than Making Maps – Using the MRA Mapping Platform to Connect With Stakeholders“

The MRA Mapping Platform has been used since 2014 to record mission data and point found
locations. This system is now one of the world’s only spatial databases for search and rescue of its kind. This platform can also be used by your team to provide a system of insight and engagement. Find out how to use maps to tell your story

Past Events - Click on Image to View YouTube Video
Nov 19, 2020
Dec 17, 2020
Jan 21, 2021
Feb 18, 2021
Mar 19, 2021
May 20, 2021
June 17, 2021
Aug 19, 2021
How to Contribute - Present

We encourage MRA “Subject Matter Experts” to contact MRA Education Director Charley Shimanski (charley.shimanski@gmail.com) with any possible training offerings.  Presentations will be limited to 45 minutes, with 10 minutes of question and answer to follow.  Topics that would be of interest include:

  • Search Theory (including analysis of a recent search)
  • Case Studies
  • Incidents, Accidents, and Near Misses
  • Advances in Wilderness and SAR Medicine in Austere Environments
  • Helicopter Crew Resource Management

As always, your MRA Education Committee is looking forward to any feedback you might have.  Please forward your thoughts to MRA Education Director, Charley Shimanski, at charley.shimanski@gmail.com.

The MRA Education Committee is also looking for interested MRA members to join the Committee and lead the further development of this “Third Thursdays” program.  Please contact Charley Shimanski if you wish to join the Education Committee and assist on this important new initiative.

Thanks,
Michael St. John 
MRA At-Large Board Member