14 cadets sign up for search and rescue

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue unit welcomed 14 new cadets to an eight-week training academy Monday.

Sheriff Ron Pierini and search and rescue president Rod Hogan briefed the new cadets on the role of DCSAR within the sheriff's office organization, and provided an overview of training and cadet expectations within the academy.

The academy provides 10-12 hours of training per week for the cadets. Two-hour classes are Monday and Thursday evenings, and one 6-8 hour exercise is held on weekends.

Training is provided in first aid, CPR, basic search and rescue operations, personal survival, tracking, snowshoeing, rescue vehicle operation,river rafting, water rescue, radio procedure, introduction to incident command, map reading and orientation, and GPS/compass/land navigation

Cadets who complete the academy will participate in 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 have an opportunity to work with other search and rescue volunteers in some of the most rugged and remote areas of Douglas and surrounding counties, said Pierini.

DCSAR 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 run areas.

DCSAR members provide emergency services such as searching for lost skiers, hikers, backpackers, and off-roaders, conducting swift water rescues, conducting steep mountain/repelling rescues, performing grid search and evidence retrieval in open territories, and assisting with citizen and large animal evacuations during fires or other emergency events.

The program is funded primarily by donations from private citizens and service groups. Funds are used for the purchase and upkeep of rescue equipment.

For information, 782-9930, or visit the Web site, http://dcsar.co.douglas.nv.us.