Reddit reviews Fundamentals of Search and Rescue

The requirements vary massively from organization to organization.

Also some thing to take into consideration:

• Some SAR groups provide the required training for free or low cost, ex: the group I am in runs our own WFA and WFR (we actually call it WEMR) for new members, and have money to subsidize those who want to get their EMT. So you might want to hold off on paying for your own until you find out what the group you're interested in requires / accepts
  
• I concur with the others. WFA is useless. Minimum WFR. And as a Nursing student you may find even WFR to be too restrictive. Many go on to get their WEMT, but this can be harder to maintain in smaller volunteer orgs that don't offer CMEs or have a Medical Director to sign off on practical skills.
  
• Some SAR organizations in the very popular areas have lots of volunteers, and may go through periods where they are not accepting new members.
  
  While you wait to move to Colorado, some training you can start out on:
  
  
• Most organizations require you to have ICS certifications, which you can obtain for free from the FEMA website: https://training.fema.gov/nims/ (Make sure to hang on to the PDF certificates) ICS 100, 200 and 700 are considered the basics. Ignore the "course dates" and just click the link on the right hand side to take the course online)
  
• There are some free online courses offered by the Mountain Rescue Association that you can take here: http://training.mra.org/courses/index.php
  
• NASAR puts out a book on the fundamentals of search and rescue. Nice introduction to SAR: https://www.amazon.com/dp/144964273X/?coliid=I2PYKPMWNLKV0X&colid=3KWO408PCH5Q1&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
  
• Get used to hiking with a backpack that has some weight in it. Personally I take my pack out with me on EVERY hike I go on to stay in shape. The amount of equipment / weight you'll be required to carry varies massively from organization to organization. The rescue packs in my org weigh around 25-30 lbs before group gear is added.
  
  Again, the requirements and what certifications will be accepted vary MASSIVELY from organization to organization. While some may accept the certifications and trainings above, others may completely reject them.