PCSO Search and Rescue Posse celebrates one-year anniversary

In the State of Arizona, search and rescue activities fall within the responsibility of the various county sheriffs’ offices. Pinal County’s search and rescue posse is celebrating its first year of operation this month.

In 2009 Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu initiated a reorganization of the county’s search and rescue (SAR) program. Prior to this date, Pinal County operated with two individual SAR teams. PCSO modeled their new SAR structure on those already used by several other Arizona counties. The unified Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Posse began operation on Dec. 1, 2009.

Babeu assigned Sgt. Brian Messing and three deputies to full-time SAR duty and four additional deputies to part-time SAR duty. The sheriff extended an invitation to join the posse to members of the existing SAR teams in Pinal County. Members from both teams completed online applications and submitted to background checks performed by the PCSO.
 
With an initial membership of 28 people, the team began responding to requests for assistance. Since Dec. 1 of last year the SAR Posse has responded to over 46 requests for assistance from county residents.

Today, the SAR Posse has 58 members and continues to grow. Team members engage in regular medical and technical rescue training to serve the residents of Pinal County. As a result, the team has a roster that includes 50 members certified or working toward their certifications as National Association of Search and Rescue SAR Technical II Rescue Technicians, 23 certified as Rescue Ropes III Technicians, 24 Wilderness First Responders, five Emergency Medical Technicians, six K-9s certified in Area Search and Cadaver Search. The posse is also in the process of forming a Mounted Team.

In additional to these accomplishments, the volunteer members of the PCSO SAR Posse have taken it upon themselves to address a communication challenge in the Superstition Mountain wilderness area. In an attempt to resolve this issue, at least 15 posse team members have obtained their HAM radio licenses, and the team has constructed a portable repeater to extend VHF communication capability throughout the Superstition wilderness.

“In light of today’s economic uncertainty and due to the dedication of SAR volunteers, the citizens of Pinal County should be pleased to learn that the Pinal County SAR Posse accomplishes its training, equipment purchases and missions with a minimal cost to the county. Today, when people enjoy the great outdoors in Pinal County, they can rest assured that the PCSO SAR Posse will be there if the need arises,” said Babeu.

If you would like to join the PCSO SAR Posse, please contact Messing by e-mail at [email protected].

Submitted photo