Marin County’s Search and Rescue Team (SAR) is an overlooked public service. SAR is a team of teenagers and adults who work with police and fire departments to help locate lost individuals. Most of these individuals are lost hikers, injured mountain bikers, children, elderly people, and those with mental illnesses such as dementia.
Branson High School senior Riley Erickson describes the job as “always being there for someone.”
“We are here to help [people, for example,] at 2 a.m. [if they are lost or] drunk in the woods,” Erickson said. “Or if you‘re stuck on the side of a cliff face, we‘re going to be there for you anywhere, anytime.”
Recently, San Marin High School junior Cody Davis was awarded Marin Youth Member of the Year award. He completed 83 missions and dedicated over 1,700 hours in a span of two years.
“I just dedicated a lot of time and hard work into the team,” Davis said.
He wants to prioritize the team, be respectful to all the members, and uplift them.
“What sets [Cody] apart is his ability to communicate with those around him,” Terra Linda High School senior Brooks Parmenter said. “He has an ‘in charge’ attitude that allows him to perform as a strong leader.”
Since SAR is a non-profit organization, they do not charge people for their services. They primarily generate their income through fundraising events and donations. Team members describe Marin as a “great community” that helps them do what they do. They do a lot of community outreach to try to get the public involved in what they do.
Joining SAR requires a significant commitment, and only a select few are suited for the role. For those interested, Unit Leader Mike St. John outlines the qualities he seeks in new recruits.
“I look for someone who is going to be dedicated,” St. John said. “I look for someone who has the bandwidth to do it, because search and rescue is a huge commitment.”
