Search cadets begin training

Staff Reports

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue team kicked off their annual cadet academy at the end of March. The academy will run for four weeks.

Cadets receive 10-12 hours of training per week on Mondays, Thursdays and weekends.

Among the subjects taught during the academy are basic search and rescue operations, personal survival, water rescue, river rafting, rescue vehicle operation and snowshoeing.

Cadet Amber Carillo said she volunteered to help people and work on her skills.

"I want to sharpen my skills, be able to help others with my knowledge, and learn new things," she said.

Cadet Bill Addington said he has volunteered for law enforcement before.

"I volunteered for the sheriff's office in Ohio and I really enjoyed it," Addington said. "I want to give to the community."

Cadet Joan Neuffer said she was volunteering so she could do something outdoors.

"I want to do something meaningful outside the home and office, without pay," she said.

March 30 was the first practical application experience for the new cadets of the SAR Academy. The training topic was swift-water awareness and rescue. After a morning classroom training session, cadets went outside to train with the rescue equipment; including throw-bags carried on each of the rescue vehicles. Cadets who complete the academy will participate on actual search and rescue missions with experienced team members for an additional six-month training period before becoming a full member.

Graduates of the program will work with other zearch and rescue members in some of the most rugged and remote areas of Douglas and surrounding counties.

According to Douglas County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Jim Halsey, members work on back roads and trails, in the desert, in the hills and mountains, along the Carson River corridor, and up at Lake Tahoe in the forests and ski resort runs, all while searching for and rescuing lost or overdue people.

The team consists of 28 members who volunteer their time and efforts for the preservation of life for others in need. It is is funded primarily by donations from private citizens and citizen groups. These funds are used for the purchase and upkeep of the rescue equipment.

For more information visit http://dcsar.co.douglas.nv.us/ or call (775) 588-0940.