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“A written demobilisation plan should be required on any large search, as a function of the plans and support crew. Orchestrating demobilisation takes teamwork due to the complex nature of providing a small army with food, shelter and transportation home.”

Tim J Setnick, Wilderness Search and Rescue 1980

Search resources are always obtained for each search operation from a number of sources to a single point. Demobilisation is the process of returning these resources from the single point to a variety of places.

The search manager and overhead team will have a full record of where all their resources have travelled from and the means of transportation. This information is important when demobilisation is commenced.

There is a lot to think about in the early stages of, and the continuation of the search. It is important to plan for demobilisation in the first half of the expected duration of the mission.

The demobilisation plan must include release priorities, objectives and procedures and, importantly, who is responsible for implementing it. The logistics member of the management team should take on this role.

A complex operation can call for very detailed planning processes in the demobilisation phase where communication channels will be required of the highest quality.

Safety is always an important consideration of any process. The search manager has a duty of care to the resources and this doesn’t necessarily stop at the conclusion of the search.

Resources must rest before they can travel back to their point of origin and this can be particularly important where long distances are involved. Safety considerations cannot be ignored by cost factors in the quest for speed.

It may seem obvious but the search manager must ensure all resources are returned from the field. In complex operations it may be difficult, without strict and efficient management procedures, to know exactly what everyone is doing it and where they are doing it. Consequently the unthinkable may happen and someone is left alone in the field. This is very rare but certainly not unknown.

Demobilisation Plan

General information        this will outline general procedures.

Responsibilities             the chain of command and specific responsibilities will be outlined.

Release priorities           this will depend on a number of factors including availability of transport, distance to travel, time already spent in the field, paid against volunteers. The overhead team will leave last.

Release procedures       this outlines steps in the release process including the release of logistical support.

Organisation & flow charts          these will include times teams will take to travel, where they came from, where they are returning and any other instructions which may prove useful in preventing confusion.

The search manager must ensure the drivers leave the base camp rested. If necessary the search resources should be offered the opportunity to feed and sleep. If an accident occurred due to fatigue on the return journey the question of liability will be raised unless there were clear safety processes outlined in the demobilisation plan.

Summary

Plan for demobilisation. Often this doesn’t happen and the operation just fades away. This can lead to lost equipment, criticism of the management, injury and possible legal problems.

Remember – make sure all your resources are accounted for otherwise you may have a new search operation on your hands sooner than you think!

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