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Sierra West Unit
Training & Equipment | Meetings | History
Sierra West is the largest of the El Dorado SAR units with about 60 members. It actually comprises five specialties in five separate teams:
Having five related teams under a single President, Vice President, etc. streamlines administration, encourages cross-training, and creates a wider social circle.
Anyone in EDSAR, not just Sierra West members, can join one or more specialty teams.
Sierra West's general membership meets during the SAR General Meeting. All five specialty teams meet together.
Sierra West's Board of Directors meets on the Tuesdays before the general meetings at 6:00 p.m. at Fort SAR. MAP .Any member is welcome at the Board meetings.
See Sierra West Officers
Training and Equipment
In addition to the basic EDSAR requirements, each specialty team has its own list of training and equipment. However, because requirements overlap, specialty teams often train together.
While members must provide the equipment they carry in their packs, Sierra West owns a large inventory, including a SAR truck, radios, medical equipment. GPS units, and technical rescue gear.
Regardless of specialty, Sierra West members are all expected to serve on foot search teams if asked, and must have the required training and equipment.
An Explorer Scout post started Sierra West in 1985 as a volunteer foot search team under the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. They incorporated as a non-profit and chose the name Sierra West to help fundraising.
Cliff rescue was the first added specialty in 1986. Swiftwater rescue, canine search and mountain bike specialties were added between 1989 and 1997. Although foot searching has always been considered a Sierra West capability, the Foot Search Team was added in 1998 to focus on specialized training and practice.
Sierra West recently surrendered its non-profit status and merged with the non-profit El Dorado Search and Rescue Council (ESARC) to provide a single non-profit point of contact for SAR in El Dorado County.
Teams:
Foot Search | 4-Wheel Drive (OHV) | Mounted | Search Management | Canine | Swiftwater | High Angle (Cliff)
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