We are a Charity manned 100% by Volunteers
We welcome new members of all ages, abilities, background and locations throughout Kent. We do this through membership intakes that we will run only once or twice a year.
There are opportunities for Operational and Non-Operational members.
Being a member of KSAR is not for everyone so we prompt you to consider this carefully before looking to join…
Being a member requires a significant amount of your time to attend team training, specialist training, exercises, fundraising and of course live searches.
Being a member requires a lot of fuel as you need to drive to all the training venues and of missing person searches can be anywhere in Kent.
The application process...
We are anticipating opening our application window towards the end of this year – 2024.
The online application form is not currently active. We will open the application after our Show and Tell Evening which we encourage you to attend.
Come join us at the KSAR Show and Tell to see first hand how we save lives and learn about our amazing work! A must if you wish to join us!
The Show and Tell Evening for prospective new members takes place on 11th October 2024.
The table to the right explains the general process to becoming a member (which may be subject to change at any time).
Click on each heading to find out more about each step.
The table will automatically scroll through each item every 20 seconds. This is a lengthy process – you have been warned !
You will be invited to attend a Show and Tell Evening where the management team and members will tell you what we do, why we do it, where we do it and how you can become a full member. This will feature a presentation and a display of our equipment. You will be able to meet with current search technicians and ask questions. This will help you make a decision about whether you would like to apply to join the next search technician’s course.
Complete our online application form which be released after the Show and Tell Evening.
After you have applied online, you will be asked to complete and sign various forms including a police vetting form, non-disclosure agreement and child protection statement.
At this stage we will also need to see and verify a few forms of identification.
Following induction and when all the paperwork is completed, as required, you will be invited to attend an Interview.
The purpose is to review the paperwork, make sure you understand the commitment involved and for us to answer any questions you might have.
Then you attend the Search Technician training course which comprises various weekend dates and evening dates.
You will learn about search techniques, medical safety, navigation techniques, use of two-way radios, evidence handling, crime scene preservation and much more.
This course usually spans approx 3 weekends and 7 weekday evenings over a period of 3-4 months.
Note: You must be able to attend all of the scheduled training dates or you will not be eligible for the course.
When the training is complete you will take part in an assessment process to confirm what you have learned and to see that you have what it takes to be an operational Search Technician.
Should you pass you will become a Probationary Member of Kent Search And Rescue.
Once you successfully complete the search technician training course you will immediately become operational as a Probationary Member.
As such you can attend all training, event and activities and deploy to live searches.
You will not be allowed to participate in any of the Specialist Teams (Drone, Dogs, Flood, Canoe / Kayak, Sonar etc) until you become a Full Member, subject to specific exceptions agreed by the Management Team based on individual circumstances.
You can attend official meetings and the Annual General Meeting but you will not have voting rights until you become a full member.
The Probationary period is not fixed. It is based on attendance at team training, events, fundraising, live searches and your performance, as monitored by the training team, your Team Leaders during deployments.
Once you have been recommended by the above for Full Membership and this considered by the Management Team you will become a Full Member.
Not only will you be able to now participate in the Specialist Teams (Drone, Dogs, Flood, Canoe / Kayak, Sonar etc) you will have voting rights at the Annual General Meeting.