A Search and Rescue volunteer, wearing a white helmet with headlamp, works on tracking skills in an area of mud and brush. (Courtesy photo)
Search and Rescue team members test their ability in specific skills related to search management and tracking. (Courtesy photo)

This weekend Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue (SBCSAR) will welcome 16 other Southern California Search and Rescue (SAR) teams to Santa Barbara County for a reaccreditation exercise.

SAR personnel will be conducting training scenarios and evaluations in various locations, including Ellwood, Ellings, More Mesa, trails in the Santa Ynez Valley, and Los Padres National Forest.

The reaccreditation process, overseen by the California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA), ensures teams remain highly skilled in technical rescue, wilderness search operations, medical aid, and other essential life-saving techniques.

This weekend’s exercises allow SAR teams to test their coordination, effectiveness and proficiency in specific skills related to search management and tracking.

Local residents and visitors may notice an increased presence of uniformed SAR personnel and vehicles in these areas March 14-15.

This is a planned exercise, so the public should continue enjoying outdoor spaces during the event, SBCSAR said.

Search and Rescue teams are made up entirely of volunteers who respond 24/7 to assist those lost or injured in the wilderness.

Many teams participating in the weekend event have also been actively responding to Southern California wildfires, making the training an essential opportunity to maintain their readiness and resilience.

SBCSAR is grateful to Direct Relief for supporting the reaccreditation event and ensuring that SAR teams — especially those impacted by recent wildfires — have the resources they need.

Santa Barbara County Search also thanks Los Padres National Forest, local county and city parks and open space agencies for allowing the use if key training locations.

Each year, SAR teams across the state respond to hundreds of calls for lost hikers, injured climbers, and those in need of emergency rescue. Events like the reaccreditation keep volunteers at the top of their game, as well as strengthen coordination between teams across the region.

For more about Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue and its services, visit sbcsar.org.