My Nonprofit Reviews

As a Board Member and a SAR volunteer, with eighteen years under their belt, I feel qualified to do this review for Friends of Josephine County Search and Rescue. I served in a similar capacity with our neighboring SAR cuunty--Rogue Valley SAR. Although not as active as RVSAR is, JoCoSAR does a similar job when activated, although a good number of our searches or missions are for assisting our neighboring counties of CORSAR--California-Oregon Search and Rescue. When we're called upon, we have volunteers who respond at any hour of the day or night, as we're supposed to be on-call 24/7.
Our SAR unit is prepared for snow incidents, as we have a Snow Team with a snowcat, snowmobiles, and ATVs with the ability to ride in the snow. Our dive deam is active and assists the Sheriff when called upon, as the Rogue River goes right through the middle of our county and unfortunately, there are several incidents a year that require assistance or recovery of bodies. Our Radio Team is above and beyond with specialty people in their knowledge and expertise. Our Mounted SAR Unit is a little weak at present because of age and/or dropouts, but those in it are very informed with the latest skills with their horses; and, hope to increase their numbers this year. We have an Overhead Team that is called out to assist other counties with their skills. The Rope Team is highly skilled in climbing and assisting, as well as doing recoveries. And, our Grouppounders are the root of all these teams, as that is our mainstay in our organization. Everyone is qualified as a Groundpounder with skills in land navigation, GPS, compass and map reading, being prepared to stay in the out-of-doors in incoment weather as well as good weather. They've been taught tracking and are skilled in this activity, as well. The ATV team is skilled in running the rough terrain of this county and/or other count roads and have assisted in locating subjects that are missing over the years.
All members purchase their own packs, boots, gear as needed and participate as much as they can. They work on road control incidents for the Sheriff, especially during fire season when roads need to be closed down. SAR members have worked for the Sheriff in doing evidence searches, as more eyes and knowledge are very helpful for combatting crime.

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