What do Boston Scientific, City of Santa Clarita, AMS Fulfillment, Sunkist, JPL, and several other Business and Community entities in Santa Clarita Valley have in common? They all have associates, who, at a moment’s notice, drop the ties and other traditional workforce garb, to don their Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Uniforms and respond to a 911 emergency. Yes, Los Angeles County Search & Rescue teams are comprised of volunteers.
These individuals train monthly, are active EMT’s. Many are Sheriff Reserves, and are in a state of readiness to support our Sheriff’s Department in searching for lost or injured hikers, recovering victims from cliff hang-ups, falls or vehicle over the side. They assist with evacuations at fires, medical emergencies in hard to reach locations, missing children, and so on.
Yearly, these individuals test their skills at the annual Mountain Rescue Association (MRA), California recertification test. The MRA is a proficiency organization that sets the bar on the skill levels and equipment specifications and use, that are approved for rescue situations. The test this year was held in Joshua Tree on March 7. There were over 20 California teams participating, and each team had two high-angle rescue scenarios that also included mock medical emergencies.
On test weekend, SCV Search & Rescue team split into two groups, some traveling on March 6 to survey the terrain and register the team, while others set-off at 3:30 a.m. on March 7, with the intent of arriving right at the start of the event. The latter group had the added challenge of a 911 callout the evening of March 6 that resulted in two hikers safely found.
On test day, the 15-team members safely executed both rescue scenarios at Joshua Tree. One scenario was a climber injured about 350 feet up a steep boulder field with exposed cliff terrain. The team set up rope systems and successfully lowered the victim litter, with the injured volunteer, to safety. The second scenario had one fallen victim from a 40-foot climb, and another hung up on their rope 30 feet from the ground. The exercise included back-boarding the fallen victim for a potential cervical spine injury, and open fracture to the femur, and then retrieving the climber from the side of the cliff and hoisting him to safety. Both scenarios were handled well, and SCV Search & Rescue passed their recertification with flying colors.
Exhausted, the team loaded the rescue vehicles and headed home. So for yet another year, our community can rest a little better knowing these trained volunteers have proven they have the mettle and experience to further ensure our safety.
If you are interested in learning more about volunteering opportunities with the team, please e-mail Reserve Captain David Christianson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”>cdchrist@lasd.org.
