Field training scheduled
for the weekend May 18 - 19, 2002.
A practical training session was held at Kokako
Camp in Hunua over the weekend of May 18 and 19, 2002. The following information
is available...
34 AREC personnel joined 4 instructors at the
Kokako Camp for the practical Training Session. There were in field message
handling sessions on the Saturday but the day started with a Powerpoint
presentation revising SAR Base operator procedures. Later in the morning
there was a demonstration of the repeaters used in the region and this
was followed by a hands on session with the ICOM VHF handhelds. SAR
message handling procedures followed and after lunch, the group was split
in to 6 teams and they were then sent into the field. Messages flowed back
and forth from field teams to base and continued after afternoon tea.
The teams were further split to increase the number of teams and the field
message handling session continued until 5.00 pm. Dinner followed after
a short break. After dinner, we had an explanation on CIMS, the structure
of NZ Land SAR and an explanation on the gear found in searches back packs.
Sunday morning, and after breakfast, there
was a presentation on what AREC can offer CD. We broke for morning tea
and after that, we were addressed by Ray Johnston, the Papakura CD Officer.
Ray gave us a run on current events from the CD arena. A presentation
on the CD1 form followed. We were then addressed by the local Police SAR
Sergeant who explained the necessity of AREC involvement in local searches.
He also confirmed the saving of time by using VHF. We broke into teams
again and a session on CD message handling followed till lunch. In the
first part of the afternoon there was a workshop on dipole aerial construction
and that was followed by a discussion on VHF /UHF aerials.
A debrief followed and a general discussion
on what may go into the CD being considered as a tool to assist in AREC
training and education.
The weekend ended with a good clean-up of the
site and we all departed. Members from 10 branches participated including
Whangarei, Rodney, Thames and Hamilton branches. All Auckland Branches
were represented also.
