Multi Organization First Responders conduct joint training



On April 26-28, 2013, the Montrose Search and Rescue Team, Los Angeles County Fire Department, United States Forestry Department, and Altadena Search and Rescue Team conducted a joint training on Angeles Crest Highway at mile marker 30.12.



The "over the side" training consisted of the rescues of injured victims that were hoisted and airlifted from the canyon bottom by Sheriff's Air Rescue 5 and L.A. County Fire Copter 11. The three day event was hosted by L.A. County Fire Battalion Chief Ron La Riva from Fire Station 82 in La Canada Flintridge. The rescue teams were inner mixed with Forestry, Sheriff's Rescue, and Fire personnel. All the teams learned about each other's truck operations, rescue operations, and capabilities. This event was planned to make sure all the responding agencies can work cohesively together for the greater good of the patient(s) over the side and get them the best medical treatment in a timely fashion.



In 2012, the Montrose Search and Rescue Team had 113 calls for service, the most in their 67 year history. Twenty-six of those calls were for vehicles (automobiles and/or motorcycles) "over the side." Just for searches, rescues, and cars over the side, the Montrose Search and Rescue Team members donated over 3600 hours to the residents of Los Angeles County. This does not include their other 4000 hours of training and mountain patrols.



Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team personnel are reserve sheriff's deputies who volunteer their time to help others for $1 a year, and who partner with sheriff's civilian volunteers who volunteer for free. There are over 150 members of the eight Search and Rescue teams of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, who were activated for over 450 search and rescue missions last year, making it one of the most active counties for search and rescue missions in the nation. Reserve deputies and civilian volunteers are supervised by full-time sheriff's deputies. If interested in joining our team, call Sergeant Burton Brink at 818-248-3464.