SAR Volunteer Opportunities?

Good evening everyone,

I am going to be moving to Westminster, CO this September after spending the last eight long years in the Marine Corps and was wondering what volunteer search and rescue opportunities were available in the Rocky Mountain Nat Park/Eldorado Canyon State Park areas? Do they even exist or is it all handled by local Fire Dpts?

I will be going to school for my EMT-paramedic and all fire fighter prerequisites in hopes of later joining a department full time, but would like to do some volunteer work in the mean time while attending school. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone.

Rocky Mountain Rescue is probably what you're looking for. I think they are mostly volunteer staffed.

Alpine rescue team further north as well.

Rocky Mountain Rescue Group (aka "RMR") provides SAR services for all of Boulder County, from Eldo and the Flatirons, up to the Continental Divide in the Indian Peaks. Check out the website to see what we're all about. In particular, the "Get Involved" page has info about how that works.

Further south, some of the Fire Departments are involved with search and rescue, but I can't recall the specifics. I think West Metro and Golden Fire do some SAR stuff, but they are both paid departments.

"Old Crusty" mentioned Alpine Rescue Team , but was mistaken about their location. They are based out of Evergreen, and are a volunteer SAR team, similar to RMR. We (RMR) work closely with them on many missions. Some of Alpine's members are on the MP forums as well, and could better describe their response areas. Generally, I know they cover the upper parts of Clear Creek, and west up into the mountains from there.

As for the national park, they have a dedicated SAR team of park employees. RMR, and other local teams (Alpine, Larimer County SAR) will get called in to help on larger missions, but in general they handle all the calls in Park. I don't believe they have volunteers on their team, but you could contact them to make sure.

From Westminster, you are a little out of position for a quick response to some calls, but I know Alpine has people that respond from Denver. I don't think Westminster is too far to make it to many RMR calls, as some take many hours (think long carry-outs in the Flatirons or Indian Peaks, long technical missions in Eldo, or big searches anywhere in the County).

I'm not very active with the team these days, but have been a member for ~15 years and used to be a Paramedic as well. If you have questions, feel free to shoot me a message through MP. If I can't answer it I can get you in touch with folks that can.

Awesome, thank you so much Rich. I will definitely be in touch. Only reason I say Westminster is because I have a friend that lives there at the moment whom I will be staying with until I can get on my feet with school and a job. If other locations prove to be a better fit for me, I am open to relocating there. I've just never been to Colorado so I am not sure where the best fit is as of now. I am currently trying to find a place in a decent part of town with a community college nearby that offers the programs I need (EMT, AAS Fire Science, Fire Academy I/II, etc.) but also in proximity to some of the quality climbing spots.

Most SAR groups want someone who lives in the area full time and is committed to being on the team for years. Lot of time and money is spent training SAR members and many groups get put off by individuals that just want to be on the team to get some experience so they can put it on their resume and then move on to something else.

I'm sorry if my original post gave the impression I am simply doing this for a bullet on my resume. I will be living in Colorado for the long term and would love to get involved in the community right away. SAR work goes hand and hand with my professional goals and figure this is a good way for me to do what I enjoy and help others.