Jim Solon
The SaddleBrooke Hiking Club Program Committee will host members of the Southern Arizona Rescue Association (SARA) on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 4 p.m. in the SaddleBrooke One Activity Center. SARA is a nonprofit, all-volunteer search and rescue team organization serving Southern Arizona and Pima County since 1958 without a charge for its services. SARA volunteers come from all walks of life and donate their time, skills, and enthusiasm to provide a vital service to the public.
This organization has provided past presentations to our Hiking Club guides in the area of first aid and an overview of the search and rescue services they provide. They offer an opportunity to understand and appreciate these critical services.
SARA members receive extensive training in all aspects of search and rescue work, including wilderness searching, cave rescues, high-angle and technical rescues, swiftwater rescues, mine rescues, and outdoor safety education. Members are also required to regularly recertify both their medical qualifications and technical skills.
SARA typically responds to more than 100 search and rescue missions each year, representing more than 4,400 hours of volunteer time, at no expense to taxpayers. Whether the mission is a technical cliff rescue or a multi-day search, day or night, whatever the weather, SARA members are on call. Members provide their own personal equipment; however, group assets such as SARA vehicles, radios, ropes, and technical equipment are paid for by individual and corporate donations, as well as public funding.
The Hiking Club program is open to the public and will highlight the benefits SARA provides our community through actual rescue situations.