I've applied to our local SAR unit

CSG

CSG

Joined
Dec 15, 2007
Messages
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In Idaho, SAR teams are operated by the local county sheriff's offices. I've had a lifetime of outdoor experience but have never volunteered for something like this.

As I'm now 59 and not the man I once was I hope they'll be able to find things for me to do. I hike, have basic survival skills and knowledge, basic first aid, a Land Cruiser and 4x4 truck, good observational skills, map and compass ability, and photography skills. Can also organize and talk on a radio.

I wouldn't think of rappelling or swift water work but I can get the donuts and coffee if that's what they need. ;)

Do we have other SAR volunteers here?
 
Awesome! I've applied to our local SAR unit as well. Like you, it's something I've always wanted to do. Always looking for tips or advice, so I'll keep an eye on this thread. CSG, let me know how it goes.
 
I told my wife I wanted to volunteer too... she doesn't want me to (she does not want to worry about me when I leave to help) so I told her taht we both should do it and she said cool...

Now the only thing I have to do now is get over my shoulder injury and my recent knee injury...

Have you read all the requirements?
From what I read, there is a lot of training involved... You become a sheriff's deputy (in which case they issue you a beretta and a conceal weapon carry permit)... On duty you can make arrests and everything... :D sweet huh?

There is more information here:

http://www.cemp.org/
 
While we have reserve law enforcement programs here in Idaho, SAR is made up, mostly, of civilian volunteers. While our department refers to them on the website as volunteer deputies they are not sworn or LEOs in any manner I can tell. I'm a former deputy sheriff who worked in San Francisco in the 70's and thought about joining the reserve here but decided that time had passed. This is a public service alternative that will rarely require me to shoot people. :D

Besides, I've got my own Beretta (and many other toys) and have both an Idaho and Utah CCW.

California has a great LEO reserve program and LAPD has been running theirs for decades. The problem is, you have to work in California...
 
I'm not doing SAR now but I've done volunteer SAR for years overseas in Europe, South America and Asia (including the Taipei earthquake), and in NC, SC and UT.

It's a great time and you are doing something that really counts.

Good on you for stepping up and helping out!
 
I've been involved in SAR for a few years. 59's not too old, IMO, if you're in okay shape. I can't speak for your local group, but in mine, there's a minimum age of 14.5 and no upper limit. You just have to pass our training program.
 
As said before don't worry about your age. My hubby is in his mid fifties and at a work party every year, he leaves the younger generation in his dust. Go for it.
 
I volunteered for a Mountain SAR unit years ago. Similar set up. It was a good gig. I left the high angle stuff to the better trained and younger.
 
I am still waiting to graduate so I can have some free time. I have a job lined up at my university that will be on swing shifts, so I will be jumping onboard in the fall hopefully.
 
last time I went hiking i saw the group of volunteers train (climbing on teh rocks of Rocky Peak)... pretty cool... that night I spent some time researching...

it was pretty interesting... i'd like to join but first i have to be in good health (still with my shoulder and back pain :( )
 
I'll be signing up for our area's SAR at the next meeting in two weeks. Should be interesting!
 
As long as they can use what I can offer, we're good. I'm in decent shape but I ain't gonna beat a 25 year old in equivalent shape in a foot race. Age does matter for most of us but that doesn't mean it has to stop you from most activities. Use it or lose it, right?
 
Good on you for volunteering :thumbup: !!
Don't worry about the age thing; there's something for everyone.

Been doing the SAR gig since the early 90's in Washingon's Cascade Mountains and would urge anyone to get involved!

We're hosting the 2010 Washington State SAR Conference in May, I think the website is down right now, but should be back up soon...

http://wasarconf.org

Cheers,
8
 
I think you will love it, been doing it for about a year now, some with the military and some with the Volunteer group in town.

Best thing I could be doing with my life, get paid to do it at work, then get to do it on my time off. Awesome. :D
 
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