Rescue Teams

[Nick-SJM]

The placing of rescue boxes on Skyline made me think about the teams that show up with patches on their sleeves to help out people lost, hurt or generally in trouble in the San Jacinto Mountains. The following is a short summary of teams involved.

In California, the overall responsibility for Search and Rescue in each county falls on the Sheriff's Department. The primary volunteer team you will see on the mountain is Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit (RMRU). In addition, the Desert Sheriff's Search and Rescue Unit (DSSAR), although primarily a desert team, will sometimes help out on the east side of the mountains.

Palm Springs Mounted Police (or is it Posse?) (PSMP) will respond on the lower levels of the east side of the mountain near Palm Springs. I haven't seen them mounted on anything, but perhaps they do now and then. These are the people behind the recently installed rescue boxes.

Mount San Jacinto State Park has a "hasty team" response unit that can be found in action in the State Park.

In addition, various fire deparments and tribal rangers will respond in their respective areas when appropriate.

In addtion, you will see helicopters from the Sheriff, California Department of Forestry (CDF), U.S. Forest Service, CHP, Mercy Air, and now and then a contract private firm - Landells Aviation out of Desert Hot Springs.

All of the above work together when appropriate. The bottom line is that the subjects are helped. I'll bet the individual being rescued could care less who it is, as long as they show up.

Thanks to all of the above.

[Hikin_Jim]

I am constantly amazed at the number of people who selflessly volunteer to be on SAR teams. The amount of time and money as well as the amount of personal risk taken on -- not to mention the disruption to their own lives -- is huge. It's amazing to me that anyone puts up with it, but thank God that they do.

HJ

[tinaballina]

Ditto that thanks.

[MountainKitty]

I am constantly amazed at the number of people who selflessly volunteer to be on SAR teams. The amount of time and money as well as the amount of personal risk taken on -- not to mention the disruption to their own lives -- is huge. It's amazing to me that anyone puts up with it, but thank God that they do.

HJ

Thank God indeed! It really goes to show you that there are still SOME wonderful people out there in this world. Then again, most of the people (that I know of) who are involved in any sort of "rescuing" field are generally very nice, selfless people. The firefighters, policemen and paramedics in upstate NY are unbelievable. Although they're getting paid to their job, they risk their lives with determination and with the goal of saving lives. . . not JUST for a paycheck.