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Search and Rescue Fundraiser and Membership Drive

CHICO, CA (6-24-14) - The Butte County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team, in conjunction with the Silver Dollar Speedway, is holding a fundraiser benefit at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA. on June 27th 2014. The pit gate opens at 4:00 P.M., and the front gate opens at 6:00 P.M.

Raffles and a silent auction will be conducted during the race night to raise money for the replacement of helmets, flight suits and flight gloves. Search and Rescue members will be throughout the arena interacting with members of the public providing safety tips and educating the public on Search and Rescue services. Raffle tickets may be purchased from any Search and Rescue member in the race pits, main entry and grandstands until 7:30 P.M Search and Rescue's Air Unit plans to conduct an air rescue demonstration from the middle of the race track, if not committed to an actual incident that evening.

Search and Rescue's Air Rescue unit along with the Sheriff's Office helicopter responds to wide range of rescues within Butte County. Often time's helicopters are utilized to both locate and rescue victims, especially if their injuries are life-threatening or extremely remote. After a victim has been located, a rescuer is flown in attached to a short haul line under the helicopter to the victim. The rescue tech will oversee the packaging of the victim for flight in special harnesses and the victim and rescuer will fly to the awaiting medics for treatment. Search and Rescue is raising funds to replace its air rescue personal protection equipment such as helmets, flight suits, and flight gloves. This equipment is vital for maximum protection of the rescue tech as well as communication with the helicopter and ground resources to improve patient care. Most of the current equipment being replaced dates back to Vietnam era, and is due to be replaced.

Search and Rescue, is an all-volunteer non-profit (501 c 3), non-tax supported organization and is an auxiliary unit of the Butte County Sheriff's Office. As an all-volunteer unit, we must maintain a fleet of vehicles and technical rescue equipment in addition to providing professional training to ensure Search and Rescue members are highly trained and meet local, state and national standards. This training is critical when we are called upon by the Sheriff's Office. When seconds count, having the equipment and skills to perform the task at hand is crucial.

Search and Rescue members are all volunteers, and are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and respond to many types of incidents including searches for lost or missing persons, technical/over-the-edge rescues including air rescue, swift water and dive rescues, mountain and remote area rescues, Wildland fire and flood evacuations and law enforcement assists. These volunteer take time away from home, work, family and friends to respond to these emergencies.

Butte County Sheriff's Search and Rescue is very grateful to the citizens of Butte County for their continued support over the past 53 years that Butte County Sheriff's Search and Rescue has been operating in Butte County.

Please contact Kevin Lucero for interviews and further information about the Search and Rescue fundraiser.

If the public would like more information regarding Search & Rescue, please call (530) 895-6577 or email public@buttesar.org. You can visit us online at www.buttesar.org.

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