Join Olympic Mountain Rescue
OMR is a volunteer search and rescue organization. Our missions can occur anywhere in Washington and range from non-technical urban searches to technical searches on glaciers or vertical rock in inclement weather.
Minimum Skills Required for Support Members
OMR expects applicants to possess the training and experience necessary to accompany our team safely on glaciers and technical rock. The training provided by OMR focuses on group rescue techniques and will not provide these entry-level technical skills.
In addition:
- Applicants must have completed, at the very least, a basic CPR and first aid course.
- AIARE Level 1 is desired but not mandatory. It is required to obtain it within one year of joining the unit.
The types of entry-level technical skills applicants are expected to be proficient in include, but are not limited to, the following: rope handling, knots, navigation, belaying/rappelling, basic crevasse/rock rescue, self-arresting with an ice-axe, and glacier travel. Applicants typically acquire these entry-level technical skills through a formal mountaineering course. Highly experienced mountaineers may substitute equivalent technical experience for a formal course, but this must be readily apparent on your application.
Administrative Positions
If you are interested in joining OMR in an administrative role (such as grant-writing, fundraising, finance, etc.), please email us with your interest: info@olympicmountainrescue.org.
OMR Application Process
The steps of the application process for support members include the following (in order):
- Attend a monthly meeting. These meetings are held at 1900 the second Tuesday of the month at our HQ building at 1550 Rocky Point Road NW, Bremerton.
- Fill out and return the New Member Application. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
- Once the Membership Coordinator reviews the application, the Membership Coordinator will schedule an interview for the applicant.
- Complete an interview with the OMR Board. Interviews are generally conducted in October and November
- Receive OMR Board approval to join OMR.
Training takes place January through April.
Required Certifications for the Application Process
The following certifications are required for the application process:
- Valid CPR/First Aid Card (or other medical certification).
- AIARE Level 1 is desired but not mandatory (it must, however, be completed within 12 months of joining).
Also required: completion of the following Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) Courses in order to obtain a DEM card:
- IS-100.B Introduction to Incident Command System
- IS-700A National Incident Management System An Introduction
Please note, the FEMA NIMS ICS courses are free in cost and are available online to complete. It may take a few to several hours to complete, so it is highly recommended to begin/complete these courses early in the application process. If you have completed these courses before, you may be able to obtain copies of your completed certifications or student transcript by contacting the Emergency Management Institute at the FEMA website.
Per Washington Administrative Code, a valid DEM number is required for all OMR members in order to participate in missions or field-trainings. All applicants must successfully pass a DEM background check and comply with State rules and regulations. You will complete your DEM card application after being selected as a trainee.
The rigorous and sensitive nature of the environment in which we operate demands that our members are competent and experienced. If you have any questions regarding membership or the application process, please email info@olympicmountainrescue.org.
