Mutual Aid
SBCSAR is dedicated to providing aid to those in need, not just in Santa Barbara County but also in other areas of California. To facilitate this, we coordinate with the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to provide mutual aid for search and rescue operations in other counties.
State-Level Emergencies
CalOES is responsible for coordinating state-level emergency management programs and resources, including search and rescue efforts. When other counties require assistance for search and rescue operations, they can request aid from CalOES, who will then contact available SAR teams in neighboring counties to provide support.
As a member of the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA), SBCSAR is well-equipped and well-trained to provide mutual aid for search and rescue operations in other counties. In particular, our team has expertise in snow and ice rescue operations, which is a critical skill set in areas with regular snow and ice emergencies.
When we receive a request for mutual aid, our team prepares and mobilizes quickly to ensure that we can provide the necessary support as soon as possible.
When we receive a request for mutual aid, our team prepares and mobilizes quickly to ensure that we can provide the necessary support as soon as possible. This can involve deploying team members, equipment, and specialized vehicles to the site of the operation.
The mutual aid system works both ways, and SBCSAR may also require aid from other SAR teams in California if we are overwhelmed with emergencies. In these situations, we can request assistance from CalOES, who will coordinate with other SAR teams to provide support to our team.
Overall, the SAR mutual aid system is a critical component of the emergency response infrastructure in California. By working together and providing support to each other, SAR teams can ensure that those in need of assistance are helped as quickly and efficiently as possible, regardless of the location of the emergency. SBCSAR is proud to be a part of this system and will continue to provide mutual aid whenever possible.