Taking Care of Business
Chaffee County Search and Rescue South
SAR South will not have a new member enrollment for 2024
CCSAR-S is focusing on making sure current members are taken care of and up to date on the skills required for continued successful backcountry missions. If interested in joining SAR South please keep an eye on our website for updates about enrollment in summer 2024.
INFORMATION TO KNOW ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER
CCSAR-S is funded by donations only and is an all-volunteer organization serving the southern portion of Chaffee County. Members have common interests to serve our community and help those lost or hurt in the backcountry. We also assist neighboring sar teams with mutual aid when requested.
SAR reports directly to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Department. A background check is required for all applicants.
Membership Requirements
Members are required to participate in meetings, trainings and volunteer activities. The most important role of our members is 'Mission Readiness'. Their willingness to show up at the SAR bay and participate in a mission is critical to saving lives. Our primary goal is simple… search and rescue. In order to be safe in the field this requires members to participate and know how to work together as a Search and Rescue unit. Member safety is priority AND finding the lost or injured party is a priority. Only participating members need apply.
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Meeting Information
Meetings are held the 3rd Monday of each month. We meet at the CCSAR-S building located at 10364 CR 120 in Poncha Springs.
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Our meetings are closed to the public due to sensitive patient/mission details that are discussed.
Training and Certifications
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NIMS
All members must complete two National Incident Management Systems classes before being voted in as a member. The two classes required are IS-100.a (ICS 100) Introduction to Incident Command System and IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction.
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First Aid/CPR/AED (Minimum Certification)
This minimum certification is required before being voted in as a member. Basic First Aid/CPR/AED certification is good for 2 years, at which time you will be required to take the class again. All certifications for members must be current.
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Helicopter Lift Ticket
In order to ride in either Flight for Life, REACH helicopter for SAR purposes, you are required to attend a training class for each organization. Upon completion of the class you will be issued a Lift Ticket (for each organization) which must be presented to staff before you will be allowed to board the helicopter. Certification must be renewed annually. Boarding a helicopter is optional but the training is essential for working safely around a helicopter.
Additional Training
There are opportunities throughout the year for additional training. Training sessions may be offered directly by CCSAR-South or in conjunction with other agencies.
Examples of training include: ATV/OHV, Avalanche Rescue, Low Angle Ropes, Snowmobile and Swift Water Rescue.
Personal Equipment
CCSAR-S maintains a supply of equipment for use in rescue situations; however you are responsible for supplying all of your own personal equipment. A list detailing the equipment you will be required to have on missions will be provided. This equipment should include everything you will need to keep yourself safe in the backcountry for 2 full days, including overnight.
Typical mission procedures
Upon receiving a 911 call, the Chaffee County Sheriff will make the decision to call out Search and Rescue. Members will receive a text page giving the basic details of the situation. Members report to the SAR bay where they will be briefed with more information about the mission. It is important to arrive at the bay with all of the necessary personal equipment that you will need for the mission, including food and water, as missions typically last many hours. Incident Command team will assess the situation and plan the mission necessary to find or rescue the lost or injured party.
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