Coconino County Sheriff’s Technical Rescue, Arizona—Full Accreditation
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit has been in existence since 1976, serving the second largest county in the continental United States. Coconino County encompasses 18,661 square miles of Northern Arizona and includes within its boundaries the Grand Canyon National Park, Mt. Humphreys (tallest peak in Arizona at 12, 633ft), Sedona, portions of Lake Powell, Oak Creek Canyon, and several Native American reservations.
On average, Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue responds to between 80 and 120 missions per year that range from overdue hikers and hunters to aircraft accidents to technical rescue incidents to winter recreation-related incidents. In addition to traditional search and rescue incidents our personnel have been called upon to assist with other natural disasters and incident management activities including wildfire evacuations, Emergency Operations Center functions, heavy snowfall emergencies, and support to law enforcement on criminal investigations.
In 2010 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit had 4303 person hours on search and rescue missions and 6842 person hours in search and rescue training. Our wilderness navigation programs have been sought after by several neighboring agencies including the National Park Service, the local ski patrol, and the local SWAT team. We work very closely with our neighboring counties as well as the Arizona Department of Public Safety Aviation Bureau and the National Park Service to accomplish search and rescue missions in the region.
Beginning in the fall of 2010 and ending in March 2011 the team completed the accreditation evaluations for regular membership in the Mountain Rescue Association. We are very proud of this accomplishment and look forward to a long relationship with the
MRA.
Sgt. Aaron Dick #32, Search and Rescue Coordinator
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office
Santa Clara County Search and Rescue, California—Membership
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue was formed in 1989 to assist city, county, state and federal agencies in times of emergency. The team is part of the Special Operations Division of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department. Our members are all dedicated volunteers, who are highly trained to effect successful SAR operations.
The team is based in San Jose and directly serves the cities and unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. The County encompasses 1,304 square miles and has a population of 1.8 million people. Its terrain ranges from San Francisco Bay wetlands to rugged mountains with two ranges running through it, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the Diablo Range to the east.
During a typical year, the team responds to about 25 requests for assistance and expends more than 8000 person-hours of training.
The team’s activities cover:
– Wilderness and urban search and rescue responses
– Rope rescue on steep slopes
– Downed aircraft search, rescue and recovery
– Support for major community events
– Community preparedness and preventative SAR education
The team also responds to major and extended out-of-county incidents statewide, through the California Office of Emergency Services; Mutual Aid Plan. Also, as a Sheriff’s Office resource, the team has supported the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection during major wildland fire incidents.
Rusty Wackermann
Santa Clara County SAR
