Anyone have any experience serving on their local rescue squad?

Anyone have any experience serving on their local rescue squad?
by

1 Answer

Answer :

answer:Do it. I find it very rewarding. Each locale is different, I’m sure, but volunteers are an essential part of being able to provide help to distressed hikers, bikers, climbers, campers, etc. My squad operates 100% on donations and consists of about 30 crew. We’re pretty small, so my crew is tight knit. You don’t have to be in shape, either. If you can’t hike then you can be utilized at the Incident Command (IC). We find a use for everyone. We also have specialty teams. I’m on the Technical Rope Rescue team, which is even more commitment because we have each other’s lives in our hands and must respect that. I’m also getting a pup on April 7th, which I will be training in Search. We also have horse teams, ATV/snowmobile teams, swift water, and mountaineering. Your specialized squads will be geared towards your location. The downside, if there is one, is that it can be expensive. My squad is one of the busiest on the west coast (impressive, considering our small group size), so our donations are used to buy things like helmets, harnesses, etc. For the most part you are responsible for furnishing your own rescue pack, which is no big deal if you are regularly camping, hiking, climbing already. There is commitment involved. The regular SAR squad meets once a month for 4 hours. The specialty teams, depending on intensity of training required and team building needed, meet more regularly. Ropes meets every week for 6 hours, and if you can’t commit to your team you cannot be on it. We train as a team because we rescue as a team, and ropes can be dangerous. The dog team meets bi weekly, but you are always working with your dog. I will add that my region has been blessed with former military, volunteer firemen, and a lot of very outdoorsy, active people. Other squads I’ve seen can be a joke if they don’t have good people. I can see that being very frustrating. We take ourselves seriously and have saved lives. It isn’t something to take lightly. Get a wilderness first aid course under your belt. Get CPR/AED certified as well. Why are you thinking of joining? Do you have the time to make a commitment to your team and your community? I’m happy to discuss it here, for sure, but feel free to PM me with specific questions, too.
by

Related questions

Have you supported a local charity with money or your time? And who was it?

Description : Have you supported a local charity with money or your time? And who was it?

Last Answer : I often go to the neighborhood car washes held by school clubs and other charities.

what have been your experience with powerfully positive volunteer experiences?

Description : what have been your experience with powerfully positive volunteer experiences?

Last Answer : Nearly every volunteer experience I've had has been good. I've worked with animals, in libraries, and reading for the blind, and the positive feedling of doing something worthwhile makes all of ... so many volunteer opportunities out there that you should be able to find something that fits well.

Has anyone been involved in Peace Corps or AmeriCorps?

Description : Has anyone been involved in Peace Corps or AmeriCorps?

Last Answer : Doesn’t Americorps give you money for school if you do it for a year?

Has anyone done Americorps Vista?

Description : Has anyone done Americorps Vista?

Last Answer : i have not done it yet, but a friend of my did. She worked for a year on a youth aids campaign in western north carolina (and loved it!) when she was done they offered her a permanent job ... only heard great things about the program and i plan on doing it as soon as i finish my undergrad studies!

Why are volunteers exempted from minimum wage laws?

Description : Why are volunteers exempted from minimum wage laws?

Last Answer : By definition, volunteers don’t get paid.

What is the name of this CPR app? (details inside)

Description : What is the name of this CPR app? (details inside)

Last Answer : I think you are talking about the PulsePoint app. “Santa Clara County, Calif., agencies use the PulsePoint app with the goal of mobilizing CPR-trained citizens if someone in their immediate area is experiencing cardiac arrest.” It is a great idea – in theory.

Any retirees here who do volunteer work?

Description : Any retirees here who do volunteer work?

Last Answer : My grandma taught English for a while, as a tutor. Would that be an option? You would probably make a great math tutor.

What is the best way to volunteer from your house or from distance?

Description : What is the best way to volunteer from your house or from distance?

Last Answer : answer:Do you want to help in an organization or individually? Personally I am volunteering as a translator for a website. My main job is to translate every word/phrase/sentence of the website's ... game and found all the errors and reported to the developer. Hope I give you some recommendations.

How do you think of the different service clubs in your community?

Description : How do you think of the different service clubs in your community?

Last Answer : I have a lot of respect for service clubs. The Jaycees are very active where I live. I know that worldwide, the Freemasons and their sub-organizations the Shrine and the Scottish Rite run some hospitals that do great things for children free of charge.

How do you make a difference?

Description : How do you make a difference?

Last Answer : I frequently donate blood and I just had them put me in the national registry for bone marrow donation.

What are some volunteer/giving organizations or programs that I can look into helping?

Description : What are some volunteer/giving organizations or programs that I can look into helping?

Last Answer : I can't think of a better organization to become involved with than with Boy Scouting. It teaches kids 6-18 leadership and values that are critical to living a wholesome, self reliant life. I personally ... and to do good works for the betterment of the community. And they have a blast doing it!

It it illegal to use the wrong address?

Description : It it illegal to use the wrong address?

Last Answer : Maybe, but if she is there getting food, she needs it, so I wouldn’t turn her in.

How can we recruit more blood donors?

Description : How can we recruit more blood donors?

Last Answer : Show them a short video of patients and kids who might die soon if they don't receive blood. Try contacting a local hospital and talking to a nurse or a doctor or a representative from the ... university, we usually make an awareness campaign few days before the vehicle arrives. I hope this helps.

How does one maintain order among volunteers?

Description : How does one maintain order among volunteers?

Last Answer : answer:Oh boy, do I know where you're coming from! With community theater or animal rescue, the issues with volunteers are the same. You are happy to have them but if they can't commit to a ... people who are unreliable. At the end of the show, have the volunteer's breakfast served by the actors.

Is it rude/unprofessional to ask a volunteer job poster how much the provided stipend is?

Description : Is it rude/unprofessional to ask a volunteer job poster how much the provided stipend is?

Last Answer : I don’t see how they would find it wrong to ask since they posted it.

Do hospitals still have Candy Striper programs for teens?

Description : Do hospitals still have Candy Striper programs for teens?

Last Answer : The short answer is yes. It depends upon the hospital and the programs they offer; however, they are not usually called candy stripers anymore. They can be junior volunteer programs or just volunteer programs. The Red Cross also has junior volunteer programs in some areas.

How do you receive the "maximum" total living allowance for americorps?

Description : How do you receive the "maximum" total living allowance for americorps?

Last Answer : You need to ask your supervisor this question. It may be dependent on the cost of living where you are assigned. Being in Chicago would be more costly than being in West Virginia. Or it could have something to do with your education level.

Do you volunteer in your community?

Description : Do you volunteer in your community?

Last Answer : Yes. I’m an officer for a civic organization that supports local and international charity causes. I volunteer at the town garden. I’m on the board of directors for a town festival that has over 20,000 visitors.

What happens if you cannot find a job you trained for?

Description : What happens if you cannot find a job you trained for?

Last Answer : How frustrating for you not to find work yet. But I would say, volunteering is a great way to get your foot in, and getting something else just to make ends meet makes sense. Keep networking ... of a turnaround. And sometimes, something you never expected will turn up. Every day a new possibility.

Where can I find volunteer training programs?

Description : Where can I find volunteer training programs?

Last Answer : Perhaps there’s someone at The HandsOn Network or the United Way that can direct you to the help you need.

How should I spend my year off from uni? What are the best programs for volunteering abroad?

Description : How should I spend my year off from uni? What are the best programs for volunteering abroad?

Last Answer : I think the Peace Corps is what you need. I’ve never been affiliated with them, but they sound like the good guys.

If I were to volunteer to work at a blood drive, what are a list of duties that I could do?

Description : If I were to volunteer to work at a blood drive, what are a list of duties that I could do?

Last Answer : You can go here to check out the expectations of American Red Cross volunteers – maybe that’s a good starting point for you? Good luck.

How old would you have to be in order to go on volunteering trips overseas?

Description : How old would you have to be in order to go on volunteering trips overseas?

Last Answer : Here‘s a list of a ton of volunteering programs that involve traveling abroad. The youngest age limit I saw was 17, but then again, it is a huge list and I may have missed it.

Do you think intent mitigates the value of a good deed?

Description : Do you think intent mitigates the value of a good deed?

Last Answer : I'm not sure if I would say mitigate, yet I do feel that it changes what one can get out of volunteering. I will say that even though it starts out all for me' it eventually changes as you ... uncomfortable accepting anything from someone who doesn't want to give it to me. I'd feel like a jerk!

How to Volunteer in Haiti.

Description : How to Volunteer in Haiti.

Last Answer : Nurses and doctors have been encouraged to contact the Red Cross or National Nurse Org or tweet #HaitiRN . The Red Cross is coordinating an effort to get doctors and nurses to Haiti ASAP. You can call ... Organization at 1-800-578-8225 http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/ That's as far as I know.

If you have been arrested before and you are filling out an application, do you have to note that you have?

Description : If you have been arrested before and you are filling out an application, do you have to note that you have?

Last Answer : I would think so if you have plead guilty to it. It is a crime, especially if you know they are going to run a background check on you.

What is a good way to volunteer in the community...

Description : What is a good way to volunteer in the community...

Last Answer : Habitat for Humanity? Helping at a local women’s shelter? Helping at the local Food Bank?

Online Volunteering?

Description : Online Volunteering?

Last Answer : What are you volunteering for?

What are the cheapest alternative spring break programs?

Description : What are the cheapest alternative spring break programs?

Last Answer : Where are you located? What are your travel options? What is your major/area of study?

Short-term volunteering trips for people my age?

Description : Short-term volunteering trips for people my age?

Last Answer : One of my favorites is Global Volunteers. Here is a link to an account by two volunteers of their most recent trip.

What is the most satisfying community activity that you are a part of?

Description : What is the most satisfying community activity that you are a part of?

Last Answer : Hospice. I consider it a community activity because I meet a lot of other hospice volunteers, family members in the community, and, of course, the patients themselves. I've learned a lot about ... myself spending that time anywhere else. I meet the most wonderful people and they teach me so much.

What's one skill you wish you'd been taught by your parents?

Description : What's one skill you wish you'd been taught by your parents?

Last Answer : answer:My parents taught me how to do everything by doing the exact opposite of what they did. Even as a child I was aware I never wanted to do the things they did. With that I've ... learn earlier. Which can be so powerful the younger you learn/understand. That, and a more diversed culture.

Work/volunteer in Sudan?

Description : Work/volunteer in Sudan?

Last Answer : Read about Doctors w/o Borders. They accept non-medical volunteers and are looking for folks who can speak some French now. But there seem to be a lot of opportunities. How old are you?

If you suddenly became incredibly wealthy, would you quit your job?

Description : If you suddenly became incredibly wealthy, would you quit your job?

Last Answer : answer:If you asked me last week, I would have said no.' After this week? The answer is Yup!' But that's just this week. Like you said - what would I do with all that free time? I'm someone ... . And I would certainly take care of my family and then see what I could do with the rest of my wealth.

Can anyone link to a good quality Suicide Squad movie? No camera, whether online or downloadable.

Description : Pls

Last Answer : Movies are in good quality on nCore, but unfortunately it's not up there yet. If he's upstairs, I'll write. 

I'm going to buy a laptop from Best Buy. Should I get the Geek Squad 2-Year protection plan?

Description : I'm going to buy a laptop from Best Buy. Should I get the Geek Squad 2-Year protection plan?

Last Answer : answer:You should get a one year warranty from the manufacturer. Add a decent spyware program an you should be fine. My philosophy on computers is to buy them knowing it will be sold within six months ... . No geek squad for me. Keep all that original packaging cause it resales for more that way.

State of Utah uses firing squad to execute a killer. any comments?

Description : State of Utah uses firing squad to execute a killer. any comments?

Last Answer : All methods of capital punishment are very distressing. I’m from PA so Utah seems like a very strange place to begin with. We apparently have the death penalty but according to deathpenaltyinfo.org, the state has only executed three people since 1976. Super creepy. At least he got to choose, huh?

Would you face the firing squad?

Description : Would you face the firing squad?

Last Answer : answer:It’s more exciting, I suppose. Besides, maybe he’s scared of needles. I’d choose lethal injection, if I had to. I’ve always been fascinated whenever I get shots. May as well go out with something I know I’m cool with.

Is finding out that Dick Cheney allegedly headed an international hit squad sort of like finding out that Liberace was gay?

Description : Is finding out that Dick Cheney allegedly headed an international hit squad sort of like finding out that Liberace was gay?

Last Answer : LOL, yeah. It kind of is.

Why the heck is there a suicide squad remake, only a couple of years after the orginal one?

Description : Why the heck is there a suicide squad remake, only a couple of years after the orginal one?

Last Answer : It has been 6 years man, and the first one was bad

What is Another word for squad?

Description : What is Another word for squad?

Last Answer : What is the answer ?

why does squad up in waterloo iowa have so much money and america is in debt?

Description : why does squad up in waterloo iowa have so much money and america is in debt?

Last Answer : because america aint doin nothin rite. they need to start fuckin wit them white girls. hahaha get money. o yeah shout out to hilary clinton

What does the geek squad do?

Description : What does the geek squad do?

Last Answer : The geek squad is there to help people who don't know that much about computers who run into trouble. They can make a computer run faster, fix broken parts, fix programs on the computer, or anything else associated with computers bought at best buy.

Does the Geek Squad offer data disaster recovery service?

Description : Does the Geek Squad offer data disaster recovery service?

Last Answer : Yes, computer data recovery is one of the many services that the geek squad offers. The do have online chats where you can speak with an agent or possibly make appointments. Most locations though allow you to just walk in and turn in you computer. You then schedule a pick up time.

When did All Star Cheer Squad?

Description : When did All Star Cheer Squad?

Last Answer : All Star Cheer Squad happened in 2008.

Has anyone tried Rust-oleum Deck Restore or Olympic Rescue It?

Description : Has anyone tried Rust-oleum Deck Restore or Olympic Rescue It?

Last Answer : answer:I just this week used the Rustoleum Deck Restore 10X on my 20+ year-old wooden deck that was falling apart. Chunks of wood missing, splinters, etc. It was about two-years overdue for a scrape and paint ... on it. Definitely need a cool, dry stretch of weather for it. PS: I am in the NE.

Does anyone know if it's possible to adopt/rescue a purebred dog?

Description : Does anyone know if it's possible to adopt/rescue a purebred dog?

Last Answer : Greyhounds are frequently rescued.

Do you think that pet rescue groups in the United States would have a problem with a Canadian adopting one of their pets?

Description : Do you think that pet rescue groups in the United States would have a problem with a Canadian adopting one of their pets?

Last Answer : I’d further like to add that I live only an hour from the organization, if that helps any..

There once was an evil wizard. He took 3 woman from their homes and turned them into rose bushes that looked exactly alike. He put them in his garden. One of the woman had a husband and children and begged the wizard to let her see them. He agreed. At night, he brought the woman to her house. In the morning he came and took her home. One day the husband decided to go rescue her. So he snuck into the wizard's garden. He looked and looked at the 3 identical rose bushes trying to figure out which could be his wife. Suddenly, he knew the answer and he took his wife home. How did he know which rose bush was his wife? -Riddles

Description : There once was an evil wizard. He took 3 woman from their homes and turned them into rose bushes that looked exactly alike. He put them in his garden. One of the woman had a husband and children and ... the answer and he took his wife home. How did he know which rose bush was his wife? -Riddles

Last Answer : The wizard brought the rosebush to her home at night and returned her to the garden in the morning. Therefore, she was the only plant without dew.