Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Honor Sheriff's Department Search & Rescue Volunteers

Santa Barbara City - February 5th, 2009

Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue is an all volunteer branch of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department dedicated to supporting life saving search and rescue missions when called upon during emergencies.  On Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 they were honored by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors for outstanding service during the following events:

July 3rd & 4th , 2008, Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue team members distinguished themselves providing door to door evacuation notices during the Gap Fire in North Goleta neighborhoods.  They successfully evacuated more than two hundred and fifty homes during a wind driven wild fire helping hundreds to journey safely out of harm’s way.

During the 2008 unsponsored Isla Vista Halloween event, Search and Rescue coordinated the rescue of injured or ill persons who were incapable of seeking medical assistance.  They worked side by side with Emergency Medical Services, County Fire and Sheriff’s Deputies, providing the first layer of medical aid to those in need.  The injured or ill were hand carried via stretchers by Search and Rescue volunteers to ambulances staged several blocks away.  On the night of October 31, 2008, team members performed thirty three rescues and eight more the following evening.

On the night of November 13, 2008, tragedy struck the Santa Barbara area during the disastrous Tea Fire that destroyed more than two hundred and ten homes.  In the face of great danger Search and Rescue volunteers advanced into neighborhoods facing a raging, wind-driven fire capable of consuming entire neighborhoods.  As others retreated to safety, team members risked their lives to ensure that all in the fire’s path were notified and escorted to safety.  The successful Tea fire evacuation, planned and executed by a volunteer force, was an exemplary Search and Rescue mission with more than five hundred homes evacuated in five hours.

In honor of these services, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors bestowed a resolution in recognition of the outstanding services delivered to the citizens of Santa Barbara County.

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