Three Questions to Ask Yourself First
1. Do I love helping people?
Our members contribute an average of 240 volunteer hours each year to extensive team and county training and missions helping missing, lost and injured people in wilderness environments. For some volunteers, it’s many more hours than that. That might sound like a lot, but the time goes quickly when your passion has a purpose.
2. Am I prepared to work hard?
Search and rescue missions often require many rigorous hours spent in arduous conditions, and in many units, you do it all with a rescue pack on your back. The work is physically and mentally demanding, but that might be exactly why it’s so satisfying.
3. Can I respond to unplanned missions any time of the day or night?
The call for help can go out at any time. We need people who can answer the call. While mission response is always voluntary, our members typically find the time to respond to over a third of the missions for their team per year.
The Basic Requirements
All persons interested in applying for the position of a search and rescue citizen volunteer must complete the Sheriff’s Department application process. Applications are considered for one of our 20+ teams. In addition, applicants must meet the following entry level requirements:
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- No felony convictions
- No pending misdemeanor of felony court cases
- In compliance with the Department tattoo policy
- Eighteen + years of age
- Legal resident of the United States
- Posess a high school diploma or GED
The Application Process
- Submit an application by email or print-out and bring to a team business meeting
- Attend 3 business meetings for the team you are applying to within 5 months
- Oral interview with Department personnel
- Complete the formal Sheriff’s Department application process
- Agree to attend and complete the department’s Basic Search and Rescue academy within twelve months of your appointment as a volunteer.
- Agree to meet and maintain compliance with Department policy and procedure. inlcuding attendance standards.
(Including grooming, tattoos, brands, body art and social media
Membership Requirements
Membership in good standing with a team requires the following be maintained:
- Attend a minimum of 60% of the annual unit monthly meetings and trainings
- Respond to a minimum of 20% of the annual search and rescue callouts
- Annually demonstrate and pass a search and rescue skills proficiency test
- Maintain required uniforms and equipment including the 24-hour pack
- Maintain driver’s license and insurance
- Track and submit personal monthly statistics
- Individual teams may have higher standards for attendance
Inquiries are always welcome! Call Volunteer Forces at 909-252-4100 or email us at volforces@sbcsd.org.