Make a difference: Search and Rescue calls for volunteers

Photo courtesy Mike Le Roux
Members of the Upper San Juan Search and Rescue (USJSAR) team engage in a training session off the side of a cliff. The USJSAR is a volunteer organization that serves the community by training and organizing volunteers in search, rescue and other emergency services. Volunteers gain experience in wilderness first aid, navigation, rappelling, ropes rescue, communications and technology and survival. The USJSAR is currently looking for new members.

The Upper San Juan Search and Rescue (USJSAR) is currently looking for additional volunteers.

USJSAR is a volunteer organization that operates throughout all four seasons training and organizing volunteers in search, rescue and other emergency services.

The guidelines and protocols of the USJSAR state, “There is no ‘glory’ in mountain rescue. Although there may be great personal satisfaction, participation in a search, rescue or recovery involves long periods of waiting followed by long periods of very hard and disagreeable work ... A successful mission depends as integrally upon the member monitoring the radio as it does upon the rescuer attending the patient. Whenever possible we stress the work of the group at the expense of the contribution of any single individual.”

Volunteering with USJSAR is no easy task. As any member will tell you, there are many challenges, but it is also a highly rewarding way to contribute to the community.

Mike Le Roux, Deputy of Emergency Management, first applied to join the team after witnessing the USJSAR in action.

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