Bush Search and Rescue Victoria
Volunteer search and rescue in Victorian bush and alpine regions
SAR information
BSAR Manual
Technical notes for members
Remote area communications
Mobile phones for communications in the bush
Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)
Bush Search and Rescue Victoria Committee
Club Delegates
Past members and supporters
The beginning of the Police Search and Rescue Squad – a BSAR perspective
The beginning of BSAR
Emergency service status
Experience over many years has shown that those clubs who have made significant contributions to search and rescue are those with an effective Club Delegate. The Club Delegate has a key role to play in ensuring the continued effective operation of the Bush Search and Rescue Committee.
Each member club of Bushwalking Victoria is entitled to appoint one Club Delegate to the BSAR Committee. The Club Delegate should be a person with appropriate experience and interest in search and rescue and the ability to manage the search and rescue contribution of that club.
The Club Delegate's role is divided into two following areas.
Participation with the BSAR Committee
Club Delegates from Melbourne-based clubs are expected to attend the meetings of the committee.
Club Delegates from country clubs are always welcome to attend meetings or can also participate in committee meetings via our teleconference line.
Managing the search and rescue group within their club
The Club Delegate is expected to maintain and develop the search and rescue group within their club to:
ensure that the members are kept informed of developments and changes in the procedures and practices of BSAR
organise the attendance of suitably experienced and interested members at the practice days or weekends
encourage suitably experienced club members to apply to join BSAR after approval by their club committee, and completion of the Membership Application Form
arrange reliable club members to perform the role of Club Contacts, whose task is to call out members in the event of a search
immediately inform the BSAR Membership Secretary of any changes of Club Contact details
ensure that those Club Contacts are provided with accurate and up-to-date listings of the details of members to call out
annually provide to the BSAR Membership Secretary accurate and confirmed lists of members for call-outs and Club Contacts
designate members with skills in skiing, first aid and snow and ice climbing
designate members with appropriate experience and expertise as Group Leaders
ensure that members listed for call-out continue to meet the requirements for membership and delete from the lists those who cease to do so
discuss each call-out with the Club's Contacts and searchers to ensure all went well, and identify and resolve any problems
highlight the participation of the Club in a search through the Club newsletter and meetings
Club committees play an important role in encouraging and supporting their club members' involvement in Bush Search and Rescue. They confirm that applicants meet the entry requirements and approve applications. Club Committees can appoint a Club Delegate to manage the Club's BSAR members and Club Contacts and give the club a voice in the running of BSAR.
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
To report lost a person call 000 and ask for Police
BSAR acknowledges and thanks Emergency Management Victoria and Bushwalking Victoria for providing funding for safety clothing, GPS units and search equipment, Telstra for providing us with mobile communications and DELWP for providing funds for training.
Bush and Alpine Safety
Note: COVID-19 procedures are mandatory for BSAR members attending searches