COUNTY – Madera County’s nationally recognized Search & Rescue Team is now accepting applications to join the ranks. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office provides training and novices are welcome.
“This academy is considered one of the best within the state of California and nationally,” says Mike Perreira, 2016 Team Leader for the Madera County Search & Rescue Training Academy. “We’re able to do this every two years, and anyone who has an interest in Search and Rescue should fill out an application and hand it in.”
There is no charge for the classes. Participants will need to buy a textbook, and any needed equipment they don’t already have.
Interested candidates are urged to complete and submit an application that must be received no later than Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Applications can be picked up at either the Sheriff’s substation located at 48267 Liberty Drive in Oakhurst, or the Sheriff’s main office located at 2725 Falcon Drive in Madera.
You must be 18 or older to apply. Applicants who are accepted into the program will undergo a 100-hour class and field training course that covers Incident Command System, SAR Crime Scene Awareness, Land Navigation, Basic Rope Rescue, Helicopter Safety, Radio Communications, Search Technique, First Aid/CPR, Tracking, as well as Basic Survival.
Madera County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Team is trained and certified to carry out rescue and recovery functions including 4X4 Team, Dive/Swiftwater Team, Technical Rope Rescue Team, Snowmobile Team, Communication Team, Medical Team, Incident Command Team, OHV Team, Operation Lost & Found Team, and Canine Team.
Completed applications can be returned to the Sheriff’s main office in Madera or the substation in Oakhurst, addressed to the attention of Sgt. Jim Bernardi.
Madera County Sheriff’s Department
For more information or to have your questions answered, contact Sgt. Bernardi at the Oakhurst Substation at 559-642-3201.
