The following accounts of field operations are the best efforts of the newsletter editor, are NOT official reports, and may have errors and omissions, for which apologies and regrets are expressed in advance.
January
Officers for 2017 were approved by the Board on January 6: President - Dori Leyen, Vice President - Carole Schilz, Secretary - Marie French, Equipment Officer - Jon Robertson, Board member - Chris Thompson, Board member - Lisa Cowan, Board member - Luke Hammack, Board member - Barbara Barnum, Board member - Jim Gilbreath, Chief Financial Officer - Bill Greene, Training Officer - Barry Beck
January 6, 2017, #1 A group of six got vehicles stuck in snow on Antelope Springs Road about 3 miles from Hwy 395 (37.67331, -118.90307), and requested assistance. The Team responded to the SAR building to get snowmobiles, but were not needed since the group was able to get themselves unstuck without assistance. Responders were: Pelichowski (Ops and IC), and Luke Hammack.
January 10, 2017, 17-12, #2 A 27 year old man from San Bernardino County requested assistance to get back to Mammoth after his car became disabled after driving it through a deep puddle while he was trying to get to one of the hot tubs in the area. The Team responded with two snowmobiles, and transported him to the intersection of Benton Crossing Road and Owens River Road. A Deputy Sheriff transported him from there to Mammoth Lakes to a motel. Responders were: Barnum (ops), Greene, and Traxler.
Dori Leyen resigned from the Board on January 17. Carole Schilz became President. Heidi Vetter was elected to the Board on January 18 and susequently approved as Vice President.
January 23-27, 2017 - OES Winter Training - Four team members participated in the California Office Of Emergency Services Winter Training at Mammoth Lakes.
January, 2017 - Megan Guffey's students in Antelope Elementary School in Coleville did a special service learning project about first responders, and asked questions of Mono County Sheriff SAR Team members, as well as other agencies. They made a Hall of Heroes video honoring the SAR Team members who responded to their questions. Here are some screen shots from the video.
January 27, 2017, 17-30, #3 Mono County Paramedics and June Lake Fire requested assistance from the Team to transport an injured woman who sustained injuries during a snowmobile collision on the trail 1.7 miles southwest of Big Spring campground (37.73239, -118.95809). The Team responded with snowmobiles and patient toboggan. The victim on a backboard was placed in the toboggan, and towed by snowmobile to base, then transported by paramedics for medical treatment. Responders were: Greene, Luke Hammack, Jon Hall, and Maxwell.
January 28, 2017 - Dan and Heidi Avalanche Dig-Out - On January 25, 2017, Dan and Heidi's home near McGee Creek was hit by an avalanche in the middle of the night. The house sustained a lot of damage, and vehicles were totally buried, some on top of others. On January 28, 2017 an army of SAR Team members and friends arrived with shovels, snow blowers, and a loader/backhoe.
Buried cars after the avalanche
Avalanche dig-out at Dan and Heidi's
Avalanche dig-out at Dan and Heidi's
Avalanche dig-out at Dan and Heidi's
February
Ops 17-55 - Seahawk Helicopter extracted the 4 skiers - Megan Guffey Photo
February 12, 2017, 17-55, #4 In late afternoon, a party of 4 from the Lake Tahoe area were backcountry skiing down the V chute of the Dana Plateau below the Third Pillar when a 44 year old woman's binding released, causing her to tumble down the slope with one ski remaining on.
Her right knee sustained injury. Her friends called 911 for help. CHP helicopter H40 from Fresno responded, but due to blowing snow and darkness was unable to land.
While ground teams were skiing and snowshoeing up to the location at 10,000 feet elevation (37.92394, -119.20787), a Seahawk helicopter from Lemoore Naval Air Station was able to land and extract the 4 skiers.
The injured skier was transported by Mono County paramedics to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. SAR Team responders were: Barnum (Ops), Greene, Beck, Carole Schilz, Leyen, Traxler, Endo, Guffey, French, D. Hansen and Cucura.
February 19, 2017 - Avalanche Beacon Training with Brigitte Denton - How they work, and how to use them to locate and dig out victims.
March
March 15, 2017 - SAR Recruitment Night
April
April 4, 2017 - Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day fund raiser - Fifteen Team members raised $1756.82.
2017 Candidate Class
April 15, 2017 - Basic Candidate Training with Jim Gilbreath, Jeff Holmquist, Barara Barnum and others.
April 19, 2017 - Communications Training with Jon Robertson
The missing Socata TB20 Trinidad airplane
April 21-22, 2017. 2017-LAW-35273 #5 A team of two SAR members responded with snowmobiles and an ELT receiver to Sierra County to assist in a large mutual aid search for an overdue aircraft. The aircraft was reported overdue on 4/17 on a flight from Truckee to Petaluma. The four-seat Socata TB20 Trinidad was scheduled to land at the Petaluma Municipal Airport, but it never landed.
The team arrived at the Command Post on highway 89 approximately 15 miles north of Truckee. On the first day they were assigned to search a valley approximately ten miles west of the CP, and an area approximately five miles north of the valley. On day two they were given an assignment to clear a creek area near the LKP, a second area with open, wooded terrain north of Lake of the Woods, and then a third assignment in an area four miles to the west (that they determined unsearchable by snowmobiles due to dense/downed trees and open creeks).
During the two days of searching they made approximately 40 ELT scans with no results. As they were leaving to return home, the Operations Leader asked that they accompany two snowmobilers to a possible crash location. They unloaded the snowmobiles and followed the two out to the possible crash site. Upon arrival at the site they determined that no wreckage was present, and returned to the CP.
They drove the Team snowmobiles approximately 140 miles during the search - much of it at very slow speeds. The search was suspended Sunday night after six days of searching by teams (ground/snowmobiles/snowcats) from California and Nevada, along with numerous helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Responders were: Beck and Greene.
UPDATE: The deceased occupants were found in their crashed plane on May 16, 2017. The Press Democrat news article.
April 22, 2017 - Tracking Training with Steve Case
April 22, 2017, 17-144, #6 On April 22, 2017 at 1724 MCSO dispatch received a 911 call for a report of a 30 year old stranded kayaker from San Francisco on Paoha Island in Mono Lake. He had no cell service but was able to call 911. He reported due to wind he was unable to paddle back to Navy Beach where his vehicle was parked. Deputy Pelichowski and SAR member Luke Hammack launched a Sheriff Patrol boat from the Tioga Lodge area and responded to the south end of the island. The subject was located on the shoreline near his deflated kayak. He had left Navy beach around noon, not realizing how far the islands were from the shore. Approximately half way to the island, the wind picked up and pushed him all the way to the south end of Paoha Island. He attempted several times to paddle back but each time was unable. The subject and his gear were loaded into the patrol boat where a quick medical assessment revealed his only complaint was feeling cold due to being soaking wet and not having shoes. He said that due to the wind and waves, he began to take on water in his inflatable kayak. He was transported back to the Tioga Lodge area and provided a ride to his vehicle at Navy Beach. Responders were: Pelichowski (IC), and Luke Hammack.
April 26, 2017 - Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC) Spring Fling - Barry Beck and John Pelichowski represented the team and Sheriff's Office at Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center's Spring Fling along with thirteen other team members.
They presented this slide show.
April 29-30, 2017 - WFA and CPR Training with Matt May, 4-Points Wilderness Medical Training
May
May 6, 2017 - Seach Training with Heidi Vetter, Steve Case and Christina Ackerman
May 13,2017 - Navigation Training with Jim Gilbreath
May 17, 2017 - Knots and Systems Training with Barry Beck, Marie French, Dan tonseth and Natai Endo
May 20, 2017 - Anchor Building, Rock Training with Barry Beck, Chris Thompson, Ben Traxler and Luke Hammack
June
June 3, 2017 - Snow Anchors, Snowfield Travel, Self-Arrest Training with Jeff Holmquist
June 14, 2017 - Helicopter Classroom Training with Bill Greene
June 17, 2017 - Helicopter Field Training with Bill Greene and CHP Helicopter crew
Ops 17-261 Care Flight helicopter
June 28, 2017, 17-261, #7 At 1335 the Team was called out for rescue of a 24 year old snowboarder from the Lake Tahoe area who sustained serious injuries near the top of Ellery Bowl (37.92594, -119.22668).
The Team climbed up to the location at 10,000 feet, and packaged the subject for transport by CHP helicopter H40.
He was transferred to Care Flight, and flown to Renown Medical Center in Reno. Responders were: Hansen (IC), Beck (Ops), Greene, Hartstrom, L. Hammack, Kaufman, Wallace, Bucklin, Holt, French, Glenn, Endo, Torance, and Cucura.
Ops 17-261 Care Flight helicopter
June 28, 2017, 17-263, #8 At 2126, the Team was called out the second time that day for rescue of a 28 year old from Illinois, who had an injured and deformed ankle above Crystal Lake (37.59363, -119.01547). It was dark, with deep snow, difficult terrain, mostly cross-country travel with the litter, wheel, and the subject. The subject was extracted via multiple belayed lowerings and roped raises. The Team members reached the trailhead at Lake George with the subject at 0430. Responders were: Hansen (IC), Barnum (Ops), Beck, Greene, Bucklin, Wallace, Endo, Kaufman, Torrence, Glenn, Hartstrom, French, and Cucura.
July
July 1, 2017, 17-270, #9 At 1900, the Team was called out to the Rush Creek trail to find and aid a 57 year old who had difficulties knowing where to go. The Team carried up the litter, wheel, oxygen, and medical supplies, reaching the subject on the switchbacks above Agnew Lake (37.7537, -119.1408). The subject was able to walk with Team members escorting. The trailhead at Silver Lake was reached at midnight. Responders were: Pelichowski (IC), Beck (Ops), Endo, Cucura, Guffey, French, Buchanan, Wallace, Torrence, Hartstrom, and Case.
July 5, 2017, 17-283, #10 The Team was called out at 1800 to locate and aid two hikers unprepared to spend the night in the vicinity of Arrowhead Lake (37.5779, -118.9828) who were stranded in steep terrain, and unable to find the trail in snow. The subjects were located at 2021, in good condition though cold. The Team extinguished the campfire they had made to keep warm, and escorted them out to the Coldwater trailhead at 2123. Responders were: Casabian (IC), Beck (Ops), Greene, Wallace, Bush, Kaufman, Torrence, Beechan, French, Case, Gilbreath, Cucura, C. Schilz, Frolio, Cowan, and TeSlaa.
July 6, 2017, 17-288, #11 The Team was called out to respond to Ellery Lake for rescue of a subject who was injured while skiing down Ellery Bowl. When the Team arrived, the subject had been evacuated by companions, and was enroute to Mammoth Hospital via POV. Responders were: Pelichowski (IC), Beck (Ops), Wallace, Kaufman, Greene, and Endo.
Reported in The Sheet newspaper - July 15, 2017 - By Rea
LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Close calls and injuries for backcountry skiers are reminders of danger
Three backcountry skiers from Mammoth planned on taking a quick jaunt up Ellery Bowl on Thursday, July 6, but ended up helping save the life of a San Francisco man who took a massive fall down the steep slope.
Dave Arnold, 28, was the second skier in as many weeks to be injured skiing in the tempting backcountry bowl on Tioga Pass, just outside the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park.
Arnold was skiing by himself when he took what looked from the vantage point of the three Mammoth residents -Josh Wray, Mark Williams, and Branko Kral- to be a catastrophic fall.
"We didn't even know he was there until we got almost to the top and saw him for the first time," said Wray this week. The trio were about 60 yards from the summit lip of Ellery Bowl when they spotted Arnold from a distance.
"If we were on the summit we would not have seen him, and probably [would have] gone right around him," said Wray. Arnold told The Sheet on Wednesday that he'd intended to ski a route down Mount Dana but decided against the descent he'd originally planned on and ended up scrambling across a boulder field towards the summit of Ellery Bowl instead.
He was exhausted, he was alone, and he'd been terrified of the route he'd taken. He even recorded a GoPro video for his parents, telling them in the event that he didn't make it off the mountain, that he'd died doing something he loved. "It was the scariest thing I've ever done," said Arnold of the traverse toward Ellery Bowl across the loose rocks. Likely scarier was the fall that nearly killed him, but lucky for him, Arnold doesn't remember that part.
Wray said he'd pulled out his camera to record Arnold's ski descent of Ellery Bowl, and that he and his companions were cheering Arnold on. Suddenly, Wray said, the lone skier (whom they had never met before) caught an edge, "and his skis popped off, his poles were gone, and he was trying to self-arrest."
"We were like, 'This guy is not stopping.'" The three men watched as Arnold careened down the slope. "He went out of our sight and all I heard was him bouncing off rocks, crunch crunch, and then he emptied out at the bowl below." Wray said that they saw Arnold lying face down, unmoving, surrounded by snow and blood.
"And we were like, 'This guy's either dead or paralyzed. There's no way he's alive." After several tense moments, they saw Arnold move.
"So we all aborted the mission [to get to the top of Ellery Bowl] and scrambled down the rocks and skied to him," said Williams.
Mike Mitchell and Bronco Kral assist injured skier David Arnold
Josh Wray Photo
"I got to him first," said Wray, "and he was just sitting there, holding his head. There was blood on the ground, and his helmet was 50 yards away." Arnold's helmet was crushed from both sides. "His googles survived," noted Kral.
Everything else was gone, and is still missing- skis, poles, GoPro, car keys, phone. Kral had first aid training and checked Arnold for broken bones. Williams made the decision to ski down to his wife, who was paddle boarding on Ellery Lake, and drive to Lee Vining to make a call to Mono County Search and Rescue.
Wray and Kral stayed with Arnold, who was miraculously mostly unharmed, save a severe concussion.
"We made conscious decisions as a team," said Kral. The men got Arnold out of his wet clothes and traded them out for dry ones of their own. The men got him out of his ski boots as he began to come around after the shock of his fall and concussion. "I think it was probably mostly adrenaline" that allowed Arnold to walk the rest of the way down to Ellery Lake with Wray and Kral's assistance, he said.
Wray said the incident made him think more about what he'll keep in his backcountry pack in the future- "Gloves, for instance," said Wray, laughing. "They only weigh two ounces." Though gloves seem like a no-brainer, the trio were only headed out for an adventure that should have taken a couple hours at most.
"You underestimate things because it's sunny and warm," said Kral of the current skiing conditions, noting that the "sun cups" which have formed on snowy slopes can be treacherous, and were possibly the cause of Arnold's fall.
Arnold also cited his exhaustion as a potential factor in his accident. He'd ascended 3,500 vertical feet and probably traveled 8 miles in the process of ascending Mount Dana. He had food and gear to spend the night in the mountains if he'd needed to, but said he was ready to get down the mountain and back to his car. He said if he hadn't seen Wray, Kral and Williams he might not have attempted the descent, but "who knows what might have happened" had the three men not been in the right place at the right time.
Skier David Arnold holds up what's left of his helmet after a fall down Ellery Bowl - Brank Kral photo
The injured skier, with the help of his new companions, made it to the road at about 9 p.m. Mono County Search and Rescue [ops17-288] had just arrived on scene, but Kral ended up taking Arnold to the hospital himself. He even gave Arnold a room to stay in that night.
Arnold wasn't a beginner - he's been on many backcountry adventures in the Sierra, and grew up skiing on the East Coast. He was a member of the race team at June Mountain.
He said he usually skis with friends, but was waiting for some companions to join him on the Eastside last week before hiking Mt. Whitney together, and decided to go on a solo adventure.
"All I can say is thank God for helmets," said Arnold, who was back in San Francisco this week, where he works in software sales. "If [Wray, Kral and Williams] weren't there, who knows what would have happened."
Another local man was injured on June 28 in the same location [ops17-261]. Jordyn Murphy, 24, of Mammoth Lakes, told The Sheet on Thursday, July 13 that he doesn't remember much about his accident - he had just arrived home from two weeks of rehabilitation in Reno and Bakersfield hospitals.
On June 28, Murphy was backcountry snowboarding with friends down Ellery Bowl, and he was not wearing a helmet when he took the fall that sent him to the hospital. He did not know how he fell, or exactly what happened in the aftermath, other than that he was airlifted from the slope by a Mono County Search and Rescue helicopter. Murphy has a GoFundMe account set up to help with his medical bills at www.gofundme.com/help-for-jordyn-murphys-injuries.
Arnold, likely thanks to his helmet, only incurred an emergency room visit and not weeks of rehabilitative therapy.
Murphy echoed Arnold's sentiments. "Definitely travel with a buddy," Murphy said. "And I know I might not have had it, but safety equipment, safety equipment, safety equipment. I'm glad to be able to be here to tell the story."
July 10-14, 2017 - Rigging For Rescue Training completed by eight Team Members. Conducted by Rigging For Rescue
July 19, 2017 - Litter Attendant Training with Kirk Hartstrom, Luke Hammack and Barry Beck
July 22, 2017 - Low Angle Rigging Training with Barry Beck, Kirk Hartstrom, Natai Endo, Ben Traxler and Luke Hammack
July 23, 2017, 17-324, #12 Hikers in the area reported Crystal Crag climbers needing help. Responders were unable to locate anyone needing help. False Alarm. Responders were: Barnum (Ops), Hansen (IC), Case, Endo, Buchanan, French, Bush, Traxler, Wallace, Webb, Thompson, Torrence, Cowan, Kallemeyn, Goodwin, and Draper.
July 24, 2017, 17-326, #13 A 48 year old hiker from Clayton, California injured a knee on the Parker Pass trail, about 6.4 miles in and south of the pass summit (37-49.75, -119-11.661). The Team hiked in from the Mono Pass trailhead at the Yosemite Park entrance. Helicopter 551 also responded, and was able to extract the subject prior to the arrival of the ground teams. Responders were: Beck (Ops), Hansen (IC), Hartstrom, Bush, Kaufman, Torrence, C. Schilz, B. Schilz, Buchanan, Wallace, Webb, Greene, Thompson, Webb, Draper, Cowan, Lyon, and French.
July 25, 2017, 17-328, #14 A Clark Canyon climber was reported injured in a fall. June Lake Fire and Medic 2 responded and requested SAR be called. When the Team arrived, the subject was being evacuated and transported by Medic 2. Responders were: Hansen (IC), Greene, Goodwin, Kaufman, Bush, Wallace, Leyen, C. Schilz, B. Schilz, and Cowan.
July 29, 2017 Steep Angle Rigging Training with Lia Webb, Luke Hammack, Kirk Hartstrom
July 30, 2017, 17-348, #15 A SPOT emergency beacon activation on the Muir Trail near Waugh Lake was reported to OES as possible altitude sickness for a 36 year old woman. The Team responded and sent in 3 field teams. CHP Helicopter H40 also responded and located the subject. H40 landed at June Mountain Parking lot, and boarded a SAR member, who was lowered to the subject for assessment and packaging for hoisting. Both were flown back to the June Mountain parking lot, then the subject was flown to Fresno for medical care. Responders were: Beck(Ops), Minder (IC), Wallace, Kaufman, Haugh, Cowan, C. Schilz, Webb, and Woods.
July 30, 2017, 17-351, #16 The 60 year old male subject reported missing was last seen at 1130 in Lundy Canyon near the waterfall. The Team was called out beginning at 2230. The subject evidently went up the canyon from Lundy to Helen Lake in the 20 Lakes Basin, to Saddlebag Lake and down to the Tioga Pass road where it is speculated that he hitch-hiked down to Lee Vining, then along U.S. 395 to the Lundy Canyon road. A Team member located him walking up Lundy Canyon from 395. He had no serious injuries other than blisters. Responders were: Beck (Ops), Pelichowski (IC), Hartstrom, Woods, Wallace, Torrence, Endo, Cowan, and Creager.
August
August 1, 2017, 17-355, #17 The team responded at 1505 for a 17 year old male with altitude sickness above Barney Lake, Twin Lakes Village. He was extracted by Helicopter H24. Responders were: Casabian (IC), Greene, Wallace, Torrence, Cowan and Kallemeyn.
August 1, 2017, 17-356, #18 In the Virginia Lakes area a 50 year old female fell and sustained ankle and knee injuries. She was extracted by Helicopter H24. Responders were: Casabian (IC), Greene, Wallace, Torrence, and Kallemeyn.
August 4, 2017, 17-365, #19 The Team was called out at 1300 regarding an overdue day hiker. The subject was a 60 year old male that was a bit lost by Crystal Crag. He was a day hiker, not a climber. In addition to being lost, his back was giving him problems. Luckily he could still walk so all that was needed was to assist him back to the trailhead at Lake George. He was also low on water and had no food, so we gave him both. Responders were: Pelichowski (IC), Greene, Case, Wallace, Torrence, Cucura, and Kaufman.
August 12, 2017 High/Vertical Angle Training with Barry Beck
August 22, 2017, 17-none, #20 Overdue 45 year old female at Saddlebag Lake. False alarm. Responders were: Endo, Greene, Hartstrom, Beck, Wallace, Buchanan, Cucura.
September
September 2, 2017, 17-423 #21 63 year old female with fractured hip on PCT between Leavitt Lake and Ski Lake (38.274436, 119.609249). Helicopter H24 took to Renown Hospital. Responders were: Beck (Ops), Pelichowski (IC), Bush, Guffey, Buchanan, Haugh, Kaufman.
September 9, 2017 - Mammoth Gran Fondo, a 102 mile bike ride. The SAR team hosted the 62 mile food station again this year. It was a day of fun handing out food and water to the riders. The day began at 7:30 am and completed around 1:30pm.
September 23, 2017, 17-467, #22 A 59 year old man from Chicago planned a two week trip starting at the Virginia Lakes trailhead to Tuolumne and back. While returning toward the end of his trip at Summit Lake, he encountered a snow storm. He had been hesitant to proceed on the final stretch of his trip because of the snow conditions as he was not equipped for them. But assurance from a Tuolumne ranger that the snow would quickly melt, he decided to finish his trip. He camped for two nights using an emergency blanket, tarp, and sleeping bag for shelter. His sleeping bag, clothing, and shoes quickly became wet from the snow. Luckily he had a Delorme Inreach with him, and his wife back in Chicago was monitoring his progress with concern. His wife contacted the Sheriff's Office to inquire about getting him rescued. A helicopter was used to extract him. CHP helicopter H40 was able to locate and extract him within two hours of request. He was flown to Bridgeport airport and transported back to his car at Virginia Lakes. Responders were: Casabian (IC), and Barnum (Ops).
The Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team (SAR) held its 8th annual Golf Tournament on September 24th at the Sierra Star Mammoth and a good time was had by all. It was a very successful event, raising over $13,000. The money will be used to support our training programs, and much needed equipment.
We had dozens of sponsors, raffle prize providers and players; so many that we don't have space to identify them but want to send a THANK YOU to everyone who supported us. There are a few people and organizations that we need to call out for going above and beyond the call of duty in supporting the tournament: Curtis Hill Sr. and John Foy for offering to take the lead in this huge effort; Dave Schacht, the Manager of the Sierra Star Golf Course, and his staff for providing their expertise and all the assistance we needed in hosting a golf tournament; Sheriff Ingrid Braun, Undersheriff Michael Moriarty and Chief Al Davis for supporting us On Sunday; the Sierra Wave for telling the Eastern Sierra about the event; and our SAR volunteers who worked tirelessly on Sunday, and weeks before to make it a fun event.
Thank you to the community, visitors, and SAR supporters everywhere for making this the most successful tournament in our history!
Carole A. Schilz, President MONOSAR
October
Great Party! - 35 members and family attended
November
All quiet
December
December 10, 2017 - SAR Awards Party at Snowcreek Bistro
Each year, the Team honors members for their individual excellence and public service.
Carole Schilz - Pete Schoerner Rescue Member of the Year presented by Marie French
The team's primary honor for achievement is the Pete Schoerner Rescue Member of the Year award. The award is named in memory of a beloved teammate who died in an ice climbing accident in 1996.
The Pete Schoerner Rescue Member of the Year for 2017 is Carole Schilz. Carole serves the Team as the current President, Board of Directors member, and as an active responder to search and rescue calls. Since joining the team in 2007, she has responded to 351 team events.
Steve Case - Golden Carabiner Award for 25 Years of Service
The team's history goes back to 1966, and hundreds of members have come and gone as their lives changed. Steve Case joined the team in 1992, and is the first member to achieve a 25 year tenure. He has been a faithful, reliable, and key player in hundreds of search and rescue calls in all weather conditions, and has also served on the Board of Directors and been a teacher of methods and techniques. He was awarded the first Golden Carabiner Award for his 25 years of excellent service.
Awards for ten years of service to the Team and victims were presented to Marie French, Brad Schilz, and Carole Schilz. The 2017 honorees were presented with laser engraved wood plaques.
Jim Wallace - Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year presented by Carole Schilz
The team honors one candidate member each year with the Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year Award. Rick Mosher is the only team member to have died in the line of duty while searching in a small airplane that crashed during an operation on August 15, 1979.
This year the team selected Jim Wallace as the Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year. Jim is very active in many aspects of response to calls, training, and team readiness. Since joining the team in April of this year, he has participated in 61 team events.
New Rescue Members - Eric Kaufman, Cheryl Buchanan and Jim Wallace
New members who completed training and testing to advance from Candidate to Rescue Member status were awarded with red Team uniform shirts. They are Cheryl Buchanan, Eric Kaufman, and Jim Wallace.
Don Deck - 15 Years of Service as Webmaster, Database Administrator and Record Keeper
Don Deck started the Team's website in 2001, and joined the Team as a Support Member in 2002. Don has contributed literally thousand of hours of behind the scenes work in support of the team as webmaster, database administrator, and record keeper for over 15 years. He has now chosen to retire, and was presented with an embroidered logoed jacket.
Bill Greene received an award for 20 years of service. Bill has been a very active member since 1997, and has responded to 527 search and rescue calls and over a thousand team events. He has been a frequent Operations Leader, teacher, and technical expert for many things, and also serves as Chief Financial Officer.
December 13, 2017 - Board Of Directors Election - Elected to two year terms: Barry Beck, Chris Thompson, Eric Kaufman and Steve Case. Continuing members with one year remaining: Carole Schilz, Jim Gilbreath, Luke Hammack, Marie French and Lisa Cowan.