ABOUT US

SERVING MONTEREY COUNTY SINCE 1963

The first volunteer unit to assist the Sheriff’s office with search and rescue incidents was the King City Sheriff’s Posse in 1939. Later that year another team joined called the Salinas Rodeo Riders and Sheriff’s Posse.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was created in 1963. The volunteer unit was established in 1989 to assist the Sheriff’s office, which then had a roster of 15 Deputies.

Search dogs became a part of Monterey County’s SAR Team in 1995. We currently have six K-9 teams trained in tracking and search which have completed the requirements set by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES). The formal Monterey County Sheriff’s Mounted SAR Unit formed in 2000.

The existing team is made up of approximately 15 Sheriff’s Deputies and 20 volunteers, both male and female. Ages range from 21 to 70 years.

OUR TEAM

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OUR OFFICERS

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MOUTAIN RESCUE ASSOCIATION

Every year since 2009 the Monterey County SAR team has successfully tested and re-certified to retain full membership in the Mountain Rescue Association as a Type I elite rescue unit.

Our SAR team is now frequently called on by the Governor´s Office of Emergency Services for mutual aid SAR missions within the mountainous regions of California. We stand ready to respond anywhere, to any circumstance, be it an injured climber stranded high on a cliff face, an avalanche victim, or a hunter lost in a snowstorm.

SUPPORT OUR TEAM

The Monterey County Sheriff’s SAR team receives a modest allowance each year from the Sheriff´s Office to help offset the cost of equipment, uniforms, and training. But the great majority of our operational budget is funded directly by the volunteer unit from donations and fund-raising efforts. A few years ago the volunteers raised over $65,000 toward the purchase of two rescue trucks, but we have a substantial and ongoing need to replace outdated or worn-out equipment and to seek professional training in the many disciplines needed to be a proficient SAR unit. If you are interested in learning more about the needs of our Search and Rescue team, please contact us using the form below & our team will get back to you.