Purpose: To have uniform procedures for responding to and preparing to initiate a search for a missing person.

 

Note: If this is a known Project lifesaver search follow the S.O.G 02-008.

 

Policy: Upon initial activation for a search, the dispatcher will instruct personnel to respond to the closest appropriate station.

 

In the event of a search, a command post and staging area will be established immediately. Only key personnel and the incident commander will occupy the command post. The incident commander shall specify a staging area for field searchers immediately.

 

All field searchers will proceed non emergency to the staging area and wait for assignments.

 

The incident commander will confer with the Police Officer conducting the investigation. Appropriate information will be released to the search teams as they gather at the staging area. All teams will be assigned a name, a task and an operational frequency prior to leaving the staging area. The staging officer will maintain an accountability system to include scheduled “radio checks.” No team should leave the staging area without a walkie. Only the team leader shall communicate with the staging officer or I.C

 

No search shall be terminated without direct order of Incident command. A search shall not be fully terminated until all personnel have returned and been accounted for.

 

The Police Department and/or Sheriff’s Office have ultimate control of searches for missing persons.