SBCSAR Affiliations
Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue is affiliated with several national and statewide organizations that share our commitment to public safety and emergency response. These affiliations provide us with additional resources and training opportunities to ensure that we are always prepared to respond to any emergency situation.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff
As a division of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, SBCSAR is proud to work closely with the department in providing emergency response services to the county. The Sheriff's Office provides critical support to SBCSAR, including dispatch services and coordination with other county and state agencies. This collaboration ensures a swift and effective response to emergencies and allows us to provide the highest level of service possible to the community. The partnership with the Sheriff's Office is integral to our operations, and we are grateful for their continued support. SBCSAR on sbsheriff.org.
Mountain Rescue Association
The Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) is a nationwide organization of accredited Mountain Rescue Teams, and SBCSAR is proud to be one of only 19 teams in California that is fully accredited as a Mountain Rescue Team. In order to qualify for this status, the team must pass proficiency tests in Snow & Ice, Search Management/Tracking & Technical Rock Rescue with the skill tests rotating each year. Our team has been a member of MRA for over 35 years, and this affiliation provides us with additional training and resources to respond to mountain rescue situations.
National Association For
Search & Rescue
The National Association For Search & Rescue is a non-profit association dedicated to the advancement of professional, literary, and scientific knowledge and training in the Search & Rescue field. SBCSAR values our affiliation with this organization, which provides us with access to cutting-edge research, training, and resources in the field of search and rescue.
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and homeland security activities within the state of California. SBCSAR is proud to work with Cal OES on emergency response and disaster preparedness, and we are regularly dispatched to join first responders, emergency leaders, and those affected by disasters that threaten public safety to provide critical information and support.
The California Rescue Dog Association
The California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA) is dedicated to training, certifying, and deploying highly-qualified search dog teams to assist law enforcement and other public safety agencies in the search for lost and missing persons. CARDA search dog teams have participated in thousands of missing person searches and have saved public safety agencies millions of dollars through the use of volunteer resources. SBCSAR is proud to work with CARDA to provide crucial search and rescue services, and we appreciate their commitment to assisting us in our efforts to keep the public safe.