SEARCH AND RESCUE

ALLI KELLY AND CIARA LLOYD

CONTENTS CLICK ON THE LINKS TO GO TO THE PAGES

HISTORY

SPECIAL SKILLS

DUTIES PERFORMED

INTERESTING FACTS

HOW TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER

ARTICLE ONE

ARTICLE TWO

ARTICLE THREE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

HISTORY

The search and rescue squad was formed in 1957. Initially the squad consisted of five men with considerable bush experience, whose role was to control and coordinate bush searches. When these police officers were not engaged in searches these members performed general police duties.

In 1958 members were trained in diving by the Australian Navy, once trained the squad became responsible for underwater searches. The underwater searches included search and recovery of deceased persons, stolen property, weapons, court evidence, motor vehicles and other objects. The squad became operational in 1962 in response to the high demand for its services.

SPECIAL SKILLS AND TRAINING REQUIRED

Navigation skills Underwater diving Need to be able to perform rescues in different

conditions and places

They need to be trained in; Cliff rescue and airborne operations Snow search and rescue Bush search and rescue Exhibiting bodies from rivers and lakes

DUTIES PERFORMED

The search and rescue squad provide assistance in all different environments, including land, snow and vertical cliff search and rescue. The rescue squad has the responsibility to provide the necessary equipment for the circumstances.

Lately in the media the search and rescue police have been performing recues in the urban regions. There have been several successful cases performed by the crew, mentioned in many of the cases were the long period of time these dedicated people spent on each case and how thorough they were.

HOW TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER

Becoming a police officer is not an easy task, it is a big decision to make. First you have to pass the several requirements and then submit a application, this will be followed by an entrance exam if you application is excepted. Once you are a police officer you can apply for a certain area (e.g. search and rescue)

The initial requirements are; Hold permanent residency status in AustraliaPossess a valid Australian drivers licenseMeet medical and health standardsMeet the education requirementsSit a defensive driving course.

BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER CONTINUED

If you meet all the prior requirements you will undergo a series of mental and physical competency test and after that you will be chosen whether or not becoming a police officer is for you or not.

Then the entrance exam will be sat it is made up of five components:Spelling and comprehensionMathematicsReasoningEnglish skillsWriting task

ARTICLE ONEPOLICE FIND MANS BODY IN YARRA

Police have recovered the body of a man who disappeared while swimming with friends in the Yarra River in Melbourne's north-east yesterday.Search-and-rescue officers discovered Hayden Desira's body submerged about six meters in the river at Griffith Park in Eltham at 2.30pm today.The 20-year-old Coburg man had been cooling off in a deep section of the river at Griffith Park with about 12 to 15 people when he got into difficulty about 2pm yesterday.Witnesses noticed him struggling in the water and tried to help but he went under the surface and vanished.Mr Desira's parents, Kevin and Sharon, were at Griffith Park yesterday as search and rescue police, helicopters and divers joined a dozen local officers in a bid to find Mr Desira. Police said they did not believe that alcohol was involved in his death. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

ARTICLE ONE CONTINUED

The search and rescue police were required to find a body in the Yarra. This was a team effort performed by the department and a successful find as well. They used navigation and under water skills to find him.

The article is about a 20 year old mans body at Griffith park in Eltham. He was with a large group of people when he was last seen and began to struggle to stay afloat this resulted in him drowning. The police found that alcohol was not a factor in his death.

ARTICLE TWORAIN, SNOW AND EXTREME TERRAIN BUT SEARCHERS HOLD OUT HOPE FOR

MISSING HUNTERSearch and rescue teams are maintaining hope of finding Victorian jail boss David Prideaux, who has been missing for two nights in extreme weather and dense bush.Mr Prideaux, 50, the general manager of the maximum-security Barwon Prison, disappeared on Sunday morning in the Alpine National Park, near Mansfield in Victoria’s northeast.He had gone out deer hunting with his brother-in-law but failed to meet for a scheduled lunch stop.With snow and sub-zero overnight conditions on Sunday and Monday and 30cm of snow forecast to fall tonight, Sergeant Cameron McPherson of Mansfield police said conditions were ‘‘as tough as it gets’’.‘‘Extreme, extreme terrain, it’s snowing, it’s raining, it’s regrowth area, visibility is poor and we haven’t located this chap yet,’’ Sgt McPherson told reporters at Mansfield.He said about 100 police officers, SES volunteers and bush search and rescue volunteers were scouring the region and had not given up hope.‘‘There’s always hope and until we find out what’s actually gone on, I wouldn’t give up hope,’’ Sgt McPherson said.

ARTICLE TWO CONTINUED

‘‘But it’s extreme terrain and conditions are deteriorating and this is probably as tough as it gets.’’Search and rescue teams are concentrating on an area around Tomahawk Hut, in the Black Spur Track area, where Mr Prideaux was last seen.They have widened their initial search area and Sgt McPherson said they would reassess their options if he had not been found by tonight.Mounted police and officers on trail bikes have also joined the search.Mr Prideaux, who is married with a son and daughter, was said to be an experienced hunter and was well equipped.Corrections Victoria commissioner Bob Hastings said Mr Prideaux’s colleagues and family were anxious and concerned.‘‘We’re hoping with all our might that we get David back,’’ Mr Hastings told reporters in Melbourne.‘‘He’s a valued mate and a valued friend and ... we hope we get him back. He’s a valued member of our team and we want him back on deck as soon as we can.’’

ARTICLE TWO CONTINUED

The search and rescue police were required to search for a man that was lost in the bush. They had to be well trained to be able to cope with the conditions. They were searching in bush area that was overgrown and the terrain was extreme with poor visibility.

The article is about a man was out deer hunting with his brother in law and did not meet him for lunch when he said he would. he was missing for a long period of time in extreme conditions. There is around 100 police officers on the case, they are well equipped and are hopeful they will find the man.

ARTICLE THREEPOLICE SEARCH CREEK FOR MISSING TEENAGER

Police search Dandenong Creek yesterday for Kuong Wong, who was last seen on Saturday. Police will continue their search today for a teenager who is feared drowned after being swept away in Dandenong Creek on the weekend.

Kuong Wong, 17, was last seen about 7pm on Saturday when he was walking his dog, which is also missing.

Police believe Kuong, who could not swim, may have slipped and fallen into the fast-flowing creek or fell in after trying to rescue his dog.

An intensive search along the banks of the creek on Monday failed to find the youth.

Given rising water levels and a strong current in recent days, rescue teams did not enter the creek to search for Kuong until yesterday. "We are always hopeful, but the longer it goes, the less likelihood we may have of finding him alive," said Sergeant Rob Gatt of the police search and rescue squad.

He warned people to take care near waterways this summer. "Every year we have unnecessary drowning's," he said.

Police said Kuong had recently moved to Australia and was living with his family in Doveton.

ARTICLE THREE CONTINUED

The search and rescue squad have been searching the Dandenong creek for a teenager. The squad started their search on the banks of the river and then they moved to in the river. The team had to take into consideration the rising water levels and the strong current in the river and had to work around these circumstances to ensure they completed a successful search.

This article is about a teenage boy who was walking his dog and then went missing near the Dandenong river. The boy was believed to be unable to swim.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/police-find-mans-body-in-yarra-20110131-1aarf.html http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rain-snow-and-extreme-terrain-but-searchers-hold-out-hope-for-missing-hunter-20110607-1fpqo.html http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/04/1067708216579.html?from=storyrhs

http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=174