A simple call to transport a teen with severe depression turned into a pivotal moment early in my rescue career, during an ambulance ride-along that was required to get my EMT license. Most rescuers have moments that stand out, guiding future care decisions and even influencing shifts in life trajectory. This would be one of
In the mountains, we train for a lot—technical rope systems, backcountry trauma, avalanche rescue. But one of the most time-sensitive, high-stakes emergencies mountain rescuers face gets surprisingly little attention: drowning. It’s something SAR teams around the country have been dealing with a lot recently, from waterfall and lake drownings in the Lake Tahoe, California area,
Alpine Rescue Team’s Dramatic Mission on Torrey’s Peak after Lightning Strike Colorado’s Alpine Rescue Team had an audacious rescue in June on Torrey’s Peak when two hikers were caught in an unexpected storm and one was struck by lightning while on the phone with rescuers. “It was probably one of the more dramatic calls I’ve
As someone who enjoys learning new things and taking on new challenges, I have often taken classes or trainings or committed to a physical challenge to stretch my limits. I have been a journalist, a stay at home mom, a hospice volunteer, a retail employee, an EMT, and trained as a college counselor. I have
Greetings, I hope all of you were able to enjoy the winter season. We’ve had a very different winter in Alaska this year as our climate is definitely changing. At the winter business meeting we asked for suggestions on how the membership could become more engaged with the MRA. There were more than a dozen
Kate Patterson’s first SAR mission was the kind that search and rescue volunteers always hope for. A 71-year-old woman had been missing in remote Mendocino County, Calif., for several days. The terrain was steep and heavily vegetated. Overnight temperatures dipped down into the 40s for the two nights she was out. Patterson, a member of
There are missions and then there are missions. The former often get planned over late night beers, or early morning coffees. You and your friends toss out lines you want to ski, routes you want to climb, partners you can sandbag, and days you can take off work. The latter get planned…well…whenever they choose. Often
The MRA Annual SAR Exercise 2025 will be held June 13 through through June 15. This year’s event will be hosted by the Marin County SAR team and will be held at NatureBridge Golden Gate, located in the scenic headlands of Marin County. The annual MRA SAR Exercise aims to advance the field of search
SAR Teams Assist Los Angeles Fires The January fires in Los Angeles, particularly the Palisades and Eaton fires, had huge impacts on local Mountain Rescue Teams in the area. Altadena Mountain Rescue, Malibu Search and Rescue and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue all dealt with fires in their immediate area, and some had members’
I hope everyone has had an enjoyable holiday season. As we begin this new year, the MRA membership will have an opportunity to determine how they can be more engaged in the business of the organization. Previously, each member team had one vote on matters before the board. The Officers Committee dealt with any matters
On the evening of Dec. 23, California’s Malibu Search and Rescue received a call for a missing 78-year-old male with dementia who was last seen several hours earlier when he went out to retrieve his mail. The call came in at 7 p.m. when the temperature was 48 degrees and falling. The area around the
When I am on a mission with my team on Mt. Rainier, I often think of all those who have come before us. How many people stood where I was at that moment? I think of my journey to this place and how different it would have been if I was not Native American. I
If eyes could see. Vision. We take it for granted until we have eye problems or suddenly lose sight in one or both eyes. As mountain rescuers, eye injury or loss of vision during a mission could turn a rescuer into another victim needing assistance. Self protection is vital for eyes and critical in many
Linville-Central Squad wins Land Rover Defender Service Award Two MRA teams were finalists for the Land Rover Defender Service Awards that were announced in late November. Inyo County Search and Rescue in California and Linville-Central Rescue Squad in Avery County, North Carolina, were both finalists to win $25,000 and a new Land Rover Defender 130
As we start a new year, and I reflect on the year that has passed, my 11th year in Search and Rescue, I am thankful for all that this community has taught me and ways in which it has helped me grow. I have learned so many things – from hard skills like building a
Mountain Rescue Association President Mark Miraglia testified yesterday that a proposed Emergency Response rule from the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration would put unnecessary and burdensome requirements on SAR teams and recommended that OSHA remove wilderness technical search and rescue from the rule. Miraglia spoke at a hearing for stakeholders to provide
Several MRA teams have been deployed to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, including Appalachian Mountain Rescue, Linville-Central Rescue Squad and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue Service. With widespread destruction in some of their communities as well as adjacent areas, these teams are working in command post positions and also as boots on the ground in
First, I want to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your President. I will strive to live up to the standards set by our previous leaders. Second, I want to thank Alison for her service during the past two years and her guidance in preparing me for the role.
A new documentary about two search and rescue teams and their mostly forgotten shared history is more than just a story of difficult rescues and the hard-working volunteers that perform them. Filmmaker Mark Weiner hopes it is a philosophical look at the ways in which mountain rescue teams might provide an example for community and
By Molly Williams, Meridian Editor At the summer business meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Mountain Rescue Association board approved a proposal to change the organization’s bylaws, which were first written more than 60 years ago. The major revision in the proposal reduced the board from 71 to 12 members. This option was
