PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO SIGN UP OR OTHERWISE ACCESS THIS WEB SITE.

(Existing members of the team must sign up as new members...)

The Far West Division (FWD) operates two SAR teams in California under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the FWD and the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal-EMA).  The teams are operated by dedicated service patrols as follows:

            California Mountain Rescue Team - North (F032) [Eastern Sierra, Mother Lode, and Northern California Regions]

            California Mountain Rescue Team - South (F030) [Southern California Region]

This site is operated by the northern team.  To sign up for the southern team please contact Mike St Clair at wintersar@yahoo.com.  To join either of these patrols you must be an active National Ski Patrol member of another patrol.    All members will retain primary registration with their respective patrols and also be registered as secondary members of a SAR patrol.  All SAR training and missions are conducted under the authority of Cal-EMA, not the National Ski Patrol, the Far West Division, or either SAR patrol, and are covered by Worker’s Compensation medical insurance and death benefits provided by the State of California.

There are two classes of membership in the northern team: Level 1 and Level 2:

Level 2 membership involves performing SAR functions in lift-served resort venues on Alpine gear (includes snowboards, Telemark and AT) during daylight hours.  No additional training is required but training in navigation and patient access by rope may be provided by your patrol or area management.  No specific equipment or NSP course completions are required.

Level 2 members are dispatched by their respective SAR teams and deployed by the local county sheriff if they are patrolling or otherwise present at the local patrol area at the time the search is initiated.  If a resort-based SAR mission continues, Level 2 members from other patrols may be asked by the SAR team to come to the area to assist.  All patrollers and Nordic candidates are eligible to join as Level 2 members.

Level 1 membership involves a commitment to perform SAR functions on Telemark or Randonee (AT) skis anywhere and anytime during winter months (generally November through May).  Level 1 members must be willing to be called out at any hour and in any conditions, although participation in any particular SAR mission is on an availability basis.  Some additional training is required, and applicants must demonstrate adequate off-piste skiing ability and endurance.  Completion of Avalanche 1 or the equivalent is required as well as the following equipment:

•  Transceiver, probe, shovel
•  GPS
•  Headlamp suitable for night travel
•  Clear goggles
•  Red patrol vest or jacket with white back cross
  

Level 1 members are dispatched by the SAR team acting in conjunction with county sheriffs and the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal-EMA).  All NSP patrollers (not candidates) both Nordic and Alpine, are eligible to join as Level 1 members, but must be proficient on Randonee (AT) or Telemark gear and skins.  Traditional Alpine skis and snowboards are not suitable for backcountry travel.