Utah County Sheriff's Office
Search and Rescue Team
Click above photo for larger image
Potential Members Questions and Answers
History
The present organization of the
search and rescue team was organized in 1992. The team is comprised of
45 citizen volunteers who provide search & rescue functions for the
citizens of Utah County. The team became certified by the national "Mountain
Rescue Association" in 1994. The team is comprised of members who
specialize in mountain rescue, water rescue, K-9 search, man-tracking,
ELT-down airplane search, EMT, communications, and many other subgroups.
Mission
The Sheriff of Utah County, James
O Tracy Jr., has the primary responsibility for search & rescue missions
in the unincorporated areas of Utah County. The Sheriff has assigned a
lieutenant from the department as the search & rescue coordinator.
That coordinator is responsible for the day operations, training, and
execution of search & rescue duties. The coordinator calls on the
volunteer group to assist in performing approximately 100 requests for
assistance each year. The missions vary from water dead body recovery
to searching for lost children walking away form campgrounds.
Recruiting
Recruiting is largely by word
of mouth. Once each year the team tests and interviews for new candidates.
Personal
The demands of belonging to search
and rescue are cruel. You and your family need to make the decision together.
This will not only require sacrifice from the member but also from the
spouse and children. The work hours may be during your usual sleep time
and you will still have to attend work the next day. The organization
cannot compensate for losses incurred from your employment, and will not
tolerate family destruction at the expense of the team. This assignment
is not easy for the member or his family.
If Interested
If you are interested in becoming
a member we would like to hear from you. You may obtain a membership application
from the Utah County Sheriff's Office.
Utah County Sheriff
Search & Rescue
3075 North Main
Spanish Fork, Utah 84660
(801) 851-4130
The Sheriff's Office requires
all team members to establish baseline HIV testing , HEPB vaccination,
medical evaluation, and background investigation.
All applications become
property of the Utah County Sheriff's Office.
The Utah County Sheriff's
Office is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the
basis of race, religion, age, sex or physical limitations.
Some Facts
Probation members are required
to attend probation training during the first year. This includes the
first Saturday, two weeknights, and a team meeting each month. Approximately
20 hours each month. In addition the probationary member must complete
EMT training within the first year. The member must respond to 40% of
all call-outs (approximately 40) each year. The proby (probationary member)
is required to obtain all the specific equipment necessary to protect
himself and perform the job. These items include:
| Radio |
$400.00 |
| Harness |
$100.00 |
| Clothing |
$400.00 |
| Boots |
$150.00 |
| Figure 8 |
$65.00 |
| Carabineers |
$120.00 |
| Pack |
$200.00 |
| Life Vest |
$100.00 |
| Snowshoes |
$200.00 |
| Mtn. Axe |
$150.00 |
| Peeps |
$300.00 |
| Crampons |
$200.00 |
| Misc. |
$300.00 |
Most of these items are necessary before the member
can come to the first call-out or training session. It is not a cheap
hobby.
Skills
Some of the skills necessary for all members are listed
below.
- Set an anchor system for a raising or lowering system.
- Know how to rig and operate a raising and lowering system.
- Perform field orienteering over an uneven terrain.
- Execute a recovery on a river using a throw bag.
- Identify avalanche hazards and pick a safe route.
- Package a victim in a stokes for overland and vertical evacuation
- Apply principles of Incident Command leadership.
- Know and follow the hierarchy of the priorities of safety first.
- Pack and experience a survival scenario on your own for 24 hours.
- Be on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and respond to 40% of
all requests for assistance.
- Provide your own transportation, insurance and loss coverage.
|
