This document summarizes the policies
and procedures by which NCRC Regional Seminars shall be organized and
conducted.
Purpose
of Regional Seminars
Regional seminars are intended to
train the bulk of cave rescue resources, to provide a wide range of cave
rescue training opportunities, and to include courses drawn from the core
concepts of the NCRC national curricula but tailored to local needs.
Training
Levels Available Via Regional Seminars
The NCRC Orientation to Cave Rescue
(OCR) is the most common regional seminar. It is intended to provide a basic
overview of horizontal cave rescue techniques appropriate for members of
rescue groups or persons integrated into relatively large-scale rescue
operations. It is commonly delivered in a weekend format. While the general
framework of the OCR curriculum must be followed, the exact content is
somewhat flexible and should be tailored to regional/local cave conditions
and the specific needs of the participants.
NCRC Level I and Level II curricula
may be delivered at the regional level, in either weeklong or modular
(typically multiple weekend) formats. National curricula for these courses
must be followed closely to ensure students are adequately prepared for the
higher-level courses that follow. Reasonable additions to the curricula may
be made to meet specific local needs, provided they do not detract from the
integrity of the national curricula. Any variations to NCRC curriculum,
testing methods and materials, or course schedules must be authorized, in
advance, by the NCRC Training Coordinator.
Customized courses may be offered to
meet specific local or regional needs (e.g., self rescue, instructor
training, single-rope techniques). These courses should draw upon concepts
outlined in the NCRC national curricula (OCR, Level I, II and III), but may
incorporate material from other reputable sources.
NCRC Level III and Instructor
Qualification courses are generally offered only at National Seminars, as
these courses serve as the immediate precursors to instructor certification.
They may be delivered regionally only under special circumstances (detailed
in the next section).
Authorization
for Regional Seminars
No training may be represented as that
of the NCRC without the specific, preauthorization of the NCRC Training
Coordinator. Requests for authorization to deliver NCRC training must be
made in writing (e-mail acceptable) prior to the seminar. They should be
submitted 60 days in advance then possible, using the Seminar Authorization
Request Form located on the NCRC website. The seminar must not be publicly
announced until approval has been granted. The Training Coordinator has the
authority to approve (or deny) delivery of OCR, Level I, Level II, and
customized courses.