Bear Valley SAR Fundraiser

TRBC 2015

The 2015 Technical Rescue Basics Course graduated 13 students. After 6 days of studying anchor systems, mechanical advantage, load calculations, angles, knots, hitches, belay, and patient packaging these students have completed their first step in rope rescue training. Now they are ready to work with their team to continue to hone their skills, and assist the citizens of San Bernardino County and the region.

SAR City 2015

SAR City is coming up October 9-11, 2015. For more information, visit sarcityusa.org. Download the flyer to pass around and post.

Intermediate Tracking Course June 2015

Advance your tracking expertise with an intermediate tracking class in mountainous terrain. You must complete the 8 hour basic tracking first. Check out the flyer for details. 

TRBC 2015

The Technical Rescue Basics Course is coming up in June. Download the flyer for details.

2015 MRA Re-Accreditation

To be a fully accredited member of the Mountain Rescue Association a search and rescue team must pass a test in each of three disciplines: Technical rope rescue, snow and ice rescue, and wilderness search and tracking management that includes an ELT search. To maintain accreditation, each team must pass a re-accreditation test every five years. The California Region of the MRA has chosen to follow a re-accreditation cycle of every three years, so each year California teams test in one of the three disciplines. This year was technical rope rescue, and it was hosted by Sierra Madre Search and Rescue in Joshua Tree National Park. Next year it will be snow and ice, and Inyo County SAR is hosting.

In San Bernardino County there are two fully-accredited SAR teams: West Valley SAR and the Cave Rescue Team. There are two associate member teams who are progressing toward full accreditation. Wrightwood SAR has completed the search and tracking accreditation, and San Bernardino Mountain is preparing for their technical rope rescue accreditation.

My team improved dramatically during our quest toward full MRA accreditation. We firmed up our leadership, honed a few new skills, and became a more effective resource for our region. I highly recommend accepting the challenge. It will be difficult, and time consuming, but you will be better for it. Broadening your SAR involvement with teams throughout the state and country is an inspiring endeavor. You learn that many teams struggle with the same issues, and may have helpful solutions. It is an extrememly helpful network. Also, if you think you are too small, keep in mind that we did it with a roster smaller than 15.

Basic Mountaineering Course is Nov 22-23

The Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) is right around the corner. If you want to take this course, then please contact Volunteer Forces at  909-387-0641 to sign up. This course gives you the skills to safely operate in many alpine environments involving snow and ice. Winter can be a busy SAR season, and the county needs qualified searchers.

When: Sat, Nov 22-23
Where: SB Mountain SAR Shack
Sign up by calling  VFU at 909-387-0641 or emailing BJ Whiteside

Cave Team and Canyoneers Clean Local Canyon

The Cave and Technical Rescue Team, in conjunction with the Coalition of American Canyoneers, Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, and the Angeles National Forest performed a canyon cleanup event on August 23. More than 60 volunteers from as far away as Arizona, picked up trash and cleaned graffiti from the canyon walls. Using hammers and chisels, the graffiti was painstakingly chipped from the rock surface. Afterwards, the rock was painted with a thin coating of mud, and a dusting of fine sand from the nearby stream bed using a technique that has proven successful in other outdoor areas. In this way, the tagger's "canvas" was made less attractive, hopefully decreasing the graffiti in the future. Since the mud will last only a couple years, the team will be at it again to help preserve this jewel of the San Gabriels.

Mounted Search and Rescue Training

The MSAR committee is proud to announce the 2014 All County Posse Mounted Training to be held on August 16, 2014, from 0800 to 1600 Hours at the Heart-Bar Sheriff’s training facility located on Hwy 38 in Heart-Bar.

Sign in starts at 0800 and breakfast will be provided by Sheriff’s culinary. Classroom training will begin at 0900 covering SAR related topics. Lunch will be provided by Sheriff’s culinary at 1130. A mounted evidence search will follow lunch. This training should conclude by 1600. Four very nice prizes will be awarded to the participants who collect the most valuable evidence.

There will be a trail ride following the training. A fireside debriefing will follow the trail ride. Camping is available Friday through Sunday. The camp will have water, but please be prepared with water for your horses

This training is free for all certified Sheriff MSAR personnel. Please support this valuable training with your participation. Many hours of pre-planning have been spent to guarantee an educational and fun exercise. We need a head count ASAP so please send your participant roster to Hap Hatch.

Bear Valley SAR Fundraiser