This Is What We Train For 

June 6, 2024 – Madera County Sheriff’s Office officials report that last month, members of the Madera Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (MadSAR) Team attended an all-day training in the Coarsegold area of Madera County, focused on the Technical Rope Rescue discipline of the MadSAR Team. Members were broken into groups where they received hands-on scenario training for patient care, patient packaging, and patient rescue using a recue wheel, followed by a ropes system skills exercise utilizing load capture and mechanical advantage.

Midday, the team was requested for an emergency SAR mission on the Lewis Creek Trail for a Fresno woman in her 30’s who fell during a hike just south of Red Rock Falls, causing an immobilizing ankle injury. Members of the MadSAR Team, Madera County Fire and Sierra Ambulance joined forces and walked in on the trail to rescue the patient. Team members loaded her into a stokes litter and rescue wheel, then hiked out to an awaiting ambulance who transported her to a local area hospital.

Although training was cut short, the MadSAR Team was able to implement the skills they had trained for that very morning into a real-life mission

We always have room for more SAR team members! If you are interested in volunteering your time and effort “so that others may live” go to www.maderacounty.com/.../sheriff/search-rescue and submit an application.

Photo credit: Cpl. Michael Fullhart & Cpl. Chris Williams

Source: Madera County Sheriff’s Office