Editing ESR:Search And Rescue (SAR) Full Guide (section)

==Role of the dispatcher==
The Dispatcher role is one of the most important roles that a 911 Rescue Operator can play, since they are the first contact the stranded pilot will have with EvE-Scout Rescue. Additionally, the Dispatcher role can evolve into other roles as well.

To assist with that initial contact and help determine the appropriate actions to take, we have created an [[:File:SARflowchart-220725.pdf|Agent Initial Contact Flowchart]] that Dispatchers can use. This chart shows the Dispatcher what to say and do to help effect a rescue or create a SAR request in the database. The flowchart is available as a PDF, to allow Dispatchers to copy and paste questions and responses in their conversation with the stranded pilot. There is also an interactive tool, [https://evescoutrescue.com/esrc/rescue_assistant.php?system=J011824&pilot=Wuhan+Wheeze S.A.R.A (Search And Rescue Assistant)] available to help support the interaction between the Dispatcher and the pilot in need.

By following the flowchart, the Dispatcher will assist the pilot in up to three major steps:

#Gather Information,
#Take direct action or request assistance from other Signal Cartel pilots if necessary/possible (use '''@911 Operator''' or '''@ESR-Coordinator''' on Discord to request assistance),
#Enter the information into the SAR Database.

'''IMPORTANT:''' A record of the interaction with every stranded pilot, regardless of outcome, is entered into the system, either on the ESRC Agent form ('''only if the cache was accessed''') or as an SAR request. Even if the SAR request needs to be closed immediately as a "self-destruct" or other non-successful outcome, we want to have a record of all interactions between stranded pilots and our team. if you have any questions about this, please contact an [https://evescoutrescue.com/home/about.php ESR Coordinator] .

===Step #1: Gather Information===
The more information the Dispatcher can get from the stranded capsuleer, the better. This information will be entered into the SAR Database.

The '''minimum information needed''' is the following:

*'''Pilot Name''' - It is very important that the spelling of the pilot name is exact. There is a very wide variety of names with specific punctuation that needs to be recorded exactly, otherwise contact with the Capsuleer becomes much more difficult. If they give you an alternate contact, get that name as well. Note: The 911 service will have the pilot's name captured in Discord. Copy it from there to avoid spelling mistakes.
*'''Wormhole System Name''' - We need to know where they are, after all (This is provided automatically by the 911 ping).

Other information that will also be necessary:

*Are they in a ship or in their capsule/pod? (just hull size, refrain from soliciting too much intel)
*Do they have a Probe Launcher?
*Do they carry a Mobile Depot or have access to a station?
*Battleships: Have they checked their Frigate Escape Bay for a frigate with a fitted Probe Launcher?
*If another pilot is present: Is a ship equipped with a Ship Maintenance Bay?


Once we know what system the pilot is in, we can immediately search for the system in our [https://evescoutrescue.com/esrc/search.php? SAR database]. This will tell us if there is a healthy Rescue Cache in that system.

'''Usable Rescue Cache:''' If there is a Rescue Cache, and the pilot can use it, we will direct the pilot on how to locate the Cache. This is now done through the use of Shared Bookmarks. Access to sharing the bookmarks, though they can all be seen by anyone in Corp, is restricted to 911 Operators. 
If a bookmark is not available, we direct the pilot to https://evescoutrescue.com/bounce/ which will provide them basic instructions on how to locate the Rescue Cache. We tell the pilot what planet the Rescue Cache is near, at what distance, and what planet the Rescue Cache is in line with. Once they locate the Rescue Cache, we send them the password. Depending on the circumstances, we may stay in conversation with the pilot until they scan their way out of the system. Once the pilot has been assisted, then the information is entered into the Allison database by clicking on the '''yellow Agent''' button at the top of the wormhole system page, entering the pilot information and any other important notes, and saving.

Important: Checking the “Cache was accessed” button resets the cache’s 30 day expiration timer. Checking the “probes and/or scanner” button will display an Upkeep Required notice in Allison.

[[File:SAR-Agent.png | center]]

'''No Rescue Cache:''' If there is no Rescue Cache, the Cache is missing, or the pilot is unable to use the supplies that are in the Rescue Cache, then we move on to trying to determine if there is still an active connection to the stranded pilot’s system. We try to determine from the pilot or other resources we have available to us if there is a connection.

*Do they know any systems connected to the system they are in? If so, do they know the Cosmic Signature(s)? (If they do not know what system they came from, we have them go to their Local Chat. There, they can read through their messages and see the last system they had been in.)
*Ask one of the ESR Coordinator to check for a potential chain using Allison data.
*Check [https://tripwire.eve-apps.com/ Tripwire] to see if there is any information recently recorded there from one of our pilots. Check the Signal Cartel Corp mask, as well as the EvE-Scout Alliance mask normally used only by Thera mapping pilots.
If there is a potential connection, we continue to Step #2. But if we determine that there is no connection remaining, we skip to Step #3.

===Step #2: Take direct action or request assistance from other 911 Operators if necessary/possible===
If the pilot came from a Known Space system where a connection might be found, has wormhole route information that we can use to locate them, there is a chain in Allison or we have Tripwire information showing a possible connection, then it is time for the Dispatcher to fly there as fast as possible. In some circumstances, the Dispatcher will request assistance on DISCORD from other 911 Operators. 

If the connection is found, the stranded pilot will be informed. At that point, the Dispatcher becomes a Locator and a Rescue Pilot.

If the connection however is lost, then it is time for Step #3.

===Step #3: Enter information into the SAR database===
If there is no ability to fly into the lost pilot’s wormhole system, (e.g. the wormhole has closed, no connection is known, etc.) then a couple more questions should be asked:

* Is the value of their implants/ship/cargo enough that they are willing to wait? (do not ask what they are flying, just if they can wait)
* If they are they willing to wait, how long?

If the pilot is not willing to wait, or does not believe it is worth waiting, then having them ask for help in Local, or self destruction are the only options that remain. But if they are willing to wait, then the rescue request is now officially a Search And Rescue operation. So all of the information that the dispatcher gathered in the previous steps will be entered into the database. Once all information is entered, we reassure the stranded pilot that we are looking for them, and will reach out as soon as they system is located. However due to the random nature of wormhole connections, we make no promises as to how long they may be waiting. It may be hours, it may be weeks, or anywhere in between. Nobody knows.

When any Signal Cartel pilot using Allison enters a wormhole system flagged as a SAR system, Allison will notify them. Allison will also immediately send an alert message to all of the ESR Coordinators, so that they may help coordinate the upcoming rescue operation.