Part 1 - Membership
(cf. Article 4 of Constitution)
Anyone, 18 years of age or older, who is physically and mentally capable of receiving training and performing rescue work may submit a written application to PCSAR for membership.
The applicant shall be interviewed by the Executive Board and a recommendation for acceptance or rejection shall be determined. Accepted applicant information shall be provided to Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and background checks will be completed. All applicants shall receive notification by the Executive Board within 30 days or as soon as possible following the completion of background checks.
Upon acceptance, the new member shall serve as a trainee until completion of all required training as determined by the team protocols. During this time, the new member is considered a trainee.
Upon completion of all required training, the trainee will have a three (3) month probationary period. During this time, the trainee may respond to calls but cannot drive hot. During this time, the trainee is considered a probationary member.
Upon completion of the probationary period, the probationary member will be evaluated by the Executive Board. Lacking a favorable recommendation to team member status, the member shall be granted one three (3) month extension or be terminated.
An inactive membership shall be available to those team members and members requesting this status due to injury, illness, or other reason, on approval by vote of the Executive Board. This membership must be renewed annually. Inactive team members shall not retain their voting rights or respond to PCSAR calls.
It shall be the responsibility of active team members to respond to calls when able. If a team member fails to respond to calls for a period of three consecutive months, and has not requested, and received approval for, an inactive membership status per Part 1.06 above, they shall automatically be moved to inactive status and all team-issued gear shall be returned within 10 days.
Honorary Special Members shall be past or present members or the public who are presented with an Honorary Membership for their service to PCSAR. This member shall have no voting rights.
Any team member wishing to move from inactive to active status must submit a letter to the Executive Board who will approve or disapprove reinstatement. If the member was inactive for more than one year, check sheets must be completed before the member is reinstated.
Team Members of PCSAR shall be issued identification cards.
A “Special Resources” membership shall be available to team members with special skills. Certain training, performance, and conduct standards are waived in recognition of keeping special skills on the team which PCSAR may not otherwise have access to. A special skills member will have uniform, insurance, and station key privileges, but shall not have or retain voting rights pager, radio, or Team issued gear; and shall not respond to incidents unless requested by the Incident Commander.