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 run half marathons, trail races, done triathalons and open water swims, climbed mountains and completed through hikes. Every one of these experiences has taught me something different: the importance of facts, the craft of storytelling, how to help people face death, managing interactions with the public, learning to calm myself when I hyperventilate swimming in cold water, that mountaineering is really hard and often miserable, and that I can do hard things.
Joining a search and rescue team 12 years ago has provided probably the most opportunities for learning and widening my horizons. Last month’s MRA conference was a great example of how it continues to be a source of education, camaraderie and great training. I attended classes with experts on legal issues, family liaison best practices, and fostering compassion and tolerance on SAR teams. I also was able to observe some of the technical rope sessions and drones in SAR. It was striking how engaged all the attendees were, curious about learning new approaches, absorbing what other teams are doing and sharing experiences. I met SAR members from North Carolina, Oregon, other parts of California and also saw lots of familiar faces from years past. The Celebrating Women in Rescue event was definitely a highlight, with lots of great raffle items and time spent with so many great women from all different teams. The event wasn’t for women only, and it was also amazing to see how well attended it was by all conference attendees.
I am so happy that for this edition of the newsletter I have many new contributors. In the Summer 2025 Meridian, you will find (hopefully) useful articles on psychological first aid and helping manage stress for rescuers, written by Responder Alliance Director Griffin Lawrence, an article on the sometimes overlooked dangers of water and drowning from Dr. Christopher Davis, and a recap of last month’s conference from Howard Solomon. I love having new voices and perspectives in the newsletter and encourage everyone again to reach out with ideas or news that you are seeing in your region. Please be sure to share the newsletter link with your team members so that we can reach as wide audience an audience as possible.
Finally, stay safe and take care of yourself in what can often be a very busy season for SAR volunteers! Enjoy your own outdoor recreation, keep learning new things and have a great summer.
Best, Molly Williams
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