Membership Options
	Selection Process
	Training
	Duties
	Costs
	Importance of Physical Conditioning
	Insurance Coverage
	Selection Requirements

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

The application requires that you select the type of membership program that you feel would be your current goal. Our program is set up to allow you to change to another option along your career path, so do not be too concerned about making a "wrong" choice. Choose the career path that you would be ready to commit to at this time. We currently have three (3) membership options:

• RESERVE: Those persons who wish to apply to become a sworn reserve deputy sheriff to perform search and rescue functions. Besides SAR work, these reserves perform a limited number of law enforcement duties. Of course, processing, screening and training is more lengthy but worthwhile.


• RESCUE VOLUNTEER: Those persons who wish to apply as a citizen volunteer to become fully field trained for full SAR service. These persons will work alongside their reserve counterparts and receive equal training. They are not permitted to engage in law enforcement activities except under a few (very limited) conditions in support roles.


• CITIZEN VOLUNTEER: Those persons who wish to apply as a citizen volunteer to provide support types of services only. These persons would not be allowed to enter the field to work with field teams as they would not have the appropriate training. However, there are many support roles that need to be filled in and around the field command post, with the field kitchen service, logistical areas and administrative functions. Even though limited in what they are allowed to do, we consider this category of member to be extremely valuable.

Interested persons shall submit application for the position of Citizen Volunteer - Search and Rescue Bureau. The forms Provide for the initial application and preliminary background check for both positions. The application will be reviewed first for completeness to ensure that the applicant can meet basic requirements. The applicant will be scheduled for an orientation interview, written examination and individual interview conducted by the SAR Training Unit.

Examinations are given on a frequent basis and are designed to evaluate the applicant's general aptitude in the areas of arithmetic, spelling, reading comprehension, fact
collection, judgment and ability to follow instructions. Examinations require passing score of 70% or higher.

The individual oral interview will evaluate the applicant's personal characteristics, good judgment, ability to make sound decisions and interest in the SAR program. The interview may include a writing exercise which will be used to evaluate writing skills. This process will also require a passing score of 70% or higher.

Upon completion of all preliminary entry/selection requirements, and being cleared as a citizen volunteer, citizen volunteers will be assigned to a bureau unit to begin service. Reserve and Rescue Volunteer candidates will be placed on the SAR academy selection list and temporarily assigned to the Training Unit while awaiting their academy training. These procedures will be explained a little later on in more detail.

It is important to understand that application information and the background investigation could produce reasons for an applicant to become disqualified as a Reserve candidate or even as a Citizen Volunteer candidate. This could occur at any time during the processing work-up phase, regardless of whether or not the candidate is already actively involved as an apprentice or enrolled in the academy. Reserve applicants found to be unsuitable for selection as a reserve could possibly cleared and accepted as a citizen volunteer. As an example, the applicant's background research may prevent he or she from being able to become a sworn peace officer. However, since Citizen Volunteers are not sworn as peace officers, the applicant might otherwise be acceptable to continue a career path to become trained as a Rescue Volunteer. Applicants will be advised by mail or telephone call of their testing dates, times and other pertinent selection process steps. It is very important for the applicant to keep the Personnel Division fully informed of any changes of address, telephone numbers and other status changes that would affect our being able to maintain contact during the processing/selection procedure. It is your responsibility, as the applicant, to comply with all requests to keep appointments, return paperwork, etc., in a most timely manner.

Once the recruit becomes sufficiently trained to enter the field, or serve in support roles, a wide scope of SAR duties are available. A phone call at 3:00 AM could take a SAR member to any portion of the vast 4255 square miles that comprise San Diego County. The call might be to search for a missing person or overdue hiker, to rescue a stranded hiker, to assist on a back country wildfire incident, to perform evacuation duty during disasters, or any number of calls in which SAR skills are needed. We find ourselves often assisting detectives by searching for evidence in homicide and other criminal cases. The Bureau also assists the other Reserve Bureaus with certain special events assigned to them, as well as to the regular department on a variety of special requests and services. Reserves and Citizen Volunteers can just about be assured that there will be plenty of jobs to do, keeping the member as busy as he/she wants to be.

SAR members are required to respond to as many mission calls and training activities as
possible within reason. We recognize that regular employment constraints will prevent some
responses, critical family situations can come about, illness and so forth. Each member must
be committed to participate as much as they can to realize the full benefit of serving. The
Bureau does set forth minimum expected standards to follow which will be explained in your
academy. Nearly all duties require that members work while in uniform. The basic work
uniform is almost identical for Reserves and Volunteers assigned to SAR.

 

IMPRORTANCE OF PHYSICAL CONDITIONING

The statement "the chain is only as strong as its weakest link" holds true for the search and
rescue business. Teamwork in the field is our key to success. Those who cannot perform the
often required rigorous tasks associated with field function become a liability to themselves as
well as the entire team. Physical condition and safety work hand in hand. The physical agility
test you will experience allows each candidate to demonstrate a minimum level of fitness
necessary to perform the various functions you may be assigned to carry out. Although no
single component of this test is pass or fail, a total minimum score is required to advance to
the level of being field qualified. Physical agility will be evaluated over the course of your
academy training as there are several "field days" involved. Things you will do include
hiking endurance, injured person carry out techniques, etc. Evaluation is very reasonable and
the average person should pass. If you are going to advance to the reserve level, a second more difficult test is required which will be explained to you later.
 

All SAR members are required to carry personal vehicle insurance according to State law. All members must also carry personal medical insurance or show their ability to meet any financial obligations to receive medical care. While on duty, members are covered under State Worker's Compensation insurance under the Disaster Service Worker Act. The County of San Diego will provide legal representation, at no cost, in the event you fall into litigation as the result of duties you may perform for the Department. The County also provides certain coverage for replacing uniforms and some equipment which may become lost or stolen while on duty.

Applicants will first be screened for acceptance as Citizen Volunteers which is a short process. From that point, the applicant will choose to either remain in the citizen volunteer category, or advance to becoming an academy candidate to graduate as a reserve or rescue volunteer.

 Except as noted below, the selection process for citizen volunteers and reserves are nearly the same. The following selection requirements have been established:

• 18 years of age (Citizen Volunteer) or 21 years of age or older for Reserves at the time of academy graduation.


• Must be a United States citizen or a legal alien who has applied for citizenship.


• Must possess a high school diploma or GED certificate.


• Must possess a valid California Driver's License and current vehicle insurance or bond, at the time of appointment.


• Must have medical insurance or proof of ability to pay for medical care separate from any other coverage provided through volunteer or reserve membership.


• RESERVES - will successfully pass a written test and a qualification appraisal interview. The Bureau may require these steps also of Citizen Volunteers.


• Military personnel on active duty, who apply for Reserve, must be assigned to the San Diego area for a period of not less than two years.


• Must be in good physical condition with weigbt in proper proportion to height. Completion of a physical examination will be required. Citizen Volunteers who are physically disabled may be considered for specific assignment on a case by case basis. Reserve applicants will be subjected to a physical agility test which must be successfully passed. Citizen Volunteers who plan to become fully qualified to work on actual SAR missions will also be required to pass a physical agility evaluation.


• Vision must be 20/100 or better, correctable to 20/30 or better in each eye.


• Good moral character, conviction of a felony is disqualifying. Reserve applicants will be required to have an extensive background investigation conducted as well as passing a polygraph test. To a lesser extent, Citizen Volunteers will have a background check conducted on their status as non-sworn employee.


• SAR members must provide their own transportation to and from all SAR activities.


• SAR members must have a permanently installed residence telephone.