Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I get a blaze orange uniform shirt?
   You can buy one at most hunting or outdoor stores during hunting season. You can also order online year round at the links we have posted on our orange shirt page.


2. When and where are the executive meetings for US-HERO held?
   The Executive Staff meets routinely. See the schedule here.


3. What is the refund policy for payments to US-HERO?
   A: Our policy is as follows:
• Membership dues - no refund if a member is dismissed or quits the organization.
• Purchase of items (patches, etc.) - no refunds.
• Event fees
• Full refund if an event is cancelled and not rescheduled.
• An individual may reqest a refund for an event fee, no later than 10 days prior to the start of the event. Once within 10 days of the start of the event, no refund is given.


4. Are there minimal physical fitness or medical requirements to be a member of US-HERO?
   A: No, there are no minimum physical or medical requirements for being a member of US-HERO. However, there are specific physical and medical requirements for Emergency Rescue Technicians that are directly job related and mandated by federal regulations and insurance requirements. For administrative/support roles there are no physical requirements.


5. I am an older person or disabled, is there some way I can help out as a member?
   Absolutely, US-HERO has a place for anyone who meets the basic membership requirements. People who cannot physically do the arduous Search & Rescue work can still be contributing members in administrative/support roles.


6. Why are a criminal background check (CBC) and fingerprints required to join?
   There are two main reasons. (A) As emergency responders, we cannot have felonious criminals or sexual offenders responding to the public. (B) It is required by the federal government under the National Incident Management System.


7. Who is required to have a criminal background check and fingerprint card when joining?
   Everyone with the exception of employed law enforcement officers, fire fighters and EMT's are required to complete the CBC requirement. Volunteer fire fighters, auxiliary police or volunteer EMT's must complete the CBC/fingerprint requirement. Everyone has to complete the fingerprint requirement.


8. Are there any exemptions to the CBC/fingerprint requirements? I might not want to give US-HERO that information.
   Other than stated above, there are no exemptions. If you do not want to provide a CBC and your fingerprints, then US-HERO is not the organization for you. Public trust and compliance with the law are MANDATORY for US-HERO and its members.


9. Am I covered under the Public Safety Officer's Benefit thing if I am killed or disabled, like Fire Fighters or Police Officers?
   1. When responding to emergencies, yes you are. This is because US-HERO units only respond to governmental authority requests. 2. When training, it depends. If your local unit is an officially designated response organization of your county/municipality you are.


10. I am already qualified under another system (Civil Air Patrol, NASAR, Fire Department, etc.). Do I have to completely retrain?
    Under usual circumstances your existing qualifications will transfer over. The unit captain will review your qualifications and determine if they meet the minimum requisite requirements published under NIMS Credentialing for SAR. Even if you do not automatically qualify, there are usually only a small number of items to add to your existing qualifications to be credentialed. This is handled on a case-by-case basis.


11. Most Search and Rescue Teams stick strictly to NASAR qualifications. Why doesn't US-HERO?
    We fully support NASAR and their training and certification program. However, NASAR only certifies technicians in two areas, Wilderness SAR & Canine SAR. US-HERO is a full spectrum Search AND Rescue organization and as such, has more extensive training requirements. NASAR certifications certainly meet the majority of our qualification requirements for Wilderness SAR and Canine SAR specialities, but we have additional requirements to meet the standards for the situations we respond to. US-HERO complies with the Training and Operational standards specified by NFPA for Professional Search & Rescue and meets the NIMS credentialing requirements.


12. What qualification and credentialing system does US-HERO use?
    US-HERO uses the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standard 1006 & 1670 for training and qualifying members in specialty skills. For credentialing, US-HERO follows the National Incident Management System (NIMS) criteria.


13. What is the difference between qualifications and credentialing?
    Qualifications/certifications demonstrate that a person has mastered the knowledge and skills to perform a job function. Credentialing authenticates the qualifications and identity of a person. For instance, a person may be qualified as a SAR Technician, but may not be credentialed due to a number of factors, including having a criminal record. Qualifications and credentialing go hand-in-hand to assure success of emergency response.


14. When can I go on a mission?
    When you have completed the general Emergency Services qualification and obtained the essential gear, you will be placed on the roster and MAY be called for a mission as a trainee.


15. I'm not sure about how much time I will have, do I have to go on a mission?
    No. You are in no way obligated to respond to any mission. School, work, and family often come before searches! This is volunteer, and sometimes, other priorities come first. However, the group appreciates your dedication to helping in those emergencies.


16. What about summers and holidays?
    US-HERO and our local response units operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (366 in leap years) for emergency response. US-HERO and our units do not schedule training or meetings on major holidays, but we still train in the summer.


17. When are training sessions? What do they involve?
    Local response units have training sessions during their meeting nights. US-HERO sponsors Field Training exercises (FTX) and Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX) which are usually held starting on a Friday night and lasting through Sunday until 3 or 4pm. See the Upcoming Events schedule on the website.


18. What happens if I miss a training session?
    If you miss a training session, it is your responsibility to learn missed information from a member of US-HERO or your local response unit. They will be glad to help you out! We all have rough schedules and understand missing training sessions. Each unit establishes its own attendance requirements.


19. How much is it going to cost?
    US-HERO membership fees are $30 a year and we also require a one time criminal background check. In addition, your field pack essentials should be a fairly minimal cost. Each member is responsible for acquiring and maintianing their uniform, which has been kept to a reasonable cost, while maintaining a professional image. As you gain training and experience, you will need to purchase additional equipment.