The Morongo Basin Search and Rescue team was formed in 1972. The team has undergone many changes over the years including
its name. The team has been known as Rescue Rangers, Yucca Valley Rangers, 29 Palms S&R and now Morongo Basin Search and
Rescue. The team is based out of the Morongo Basin Sheriff Station in Joshua Tree, California. It's 30+ member team has the
responsibility of covering a large part of the Mojave Desert in Southern California.
Members of the SBSD Search and Rescue team are citizen volunteers from all walks of life who are dedicated to helping people and the community. Members must complete extensive training in such skills as survival, tracking, land navigation, first aid and CPR, climbing with ropes, rappelling,
mine rescue, 4X4 driving, ATV operation, searching on horseback, land navigation
and many others skills. All members must pass written and a practical application skills test that meets national standards
established by The National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). All members are certified by the county utilizing a
NASAR approved training course in Basic Search and Rescue skills and are SAR Tech II certified. Members are crossed trained
in all functions of search and rescue procedures so the team can function in all applications. All members are on call
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, rain or shine. Members must equip themselves with personal survival equipment, clothing and
gear necessary to accomplish their mission. Average starts up cost is between $300 to $400, but most members spend much
more than that on specialized gear.
The team is equipped with the latest technology in search and rescue gear including rope rigging devices, radios, GPS and laptop computers for mapping and coordinating a search. The team is a non-profit organization that relies on donations to purchase and maintain its equipment and supplies. All members are required to have their own personal gear, which consists of a 24-hour survival pack. The team attends local community events, displaying their equipment and educating the public about the desert and its many dangers. We travel to schools and clubs in the Morongo Basin and demonstrate tracking procedures as well as basic desert survival skills.
The Morongo Basin Search and Rescue teams' goal is to strive for excellence and be dedicated to residents of the Morongo Basin and the entire San Bernardino County.
Members of the SBSD Search and Rescue team are citizen volunteers from all walks of life who are dedicated to helping people and the community. Members must complete extensive training in such skills as survival, tracking, land navigation, first aid and CPR, climbing with ropes, rappelling,
mine rescue, 4X4 driving, ATV operation, searching on horseback, land navigation
and many others skills. All members must pass written and a practical application skills test that meets national standards
established by The National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). All members are certified by the county utilizing a
NASAR approved training course in Basic Search and Rescue skills and are SAR Tech II certified. Members are crossed trained
in all functions of search and rescue procedures so the team can function in all applications. All members are on call
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, rain or shine. Members must equip themselves with personal survival equipment, clothing and
gear necessary to accomplish their mission. Average starts up cost is between $300 to $400, but most members spend much
more than that on specialized gear.
The team is equipped with the latest technology in search and rescue gear including rope rigging devices, radios, GPS and laptop computers for mapping and coordinating a search. The team is a non-profit organization that relies on donations to purchase and maintain its equipment and supplies. All members are required to have their own personal gear, which consists of a 24-hour survival pack. The team attends local community events, displaying their equipment and educating the public about the desert and its many dangers. We travel to schools and clubs in the Morongo Basin and demonstrate tracking procedures as well as basic desert survival skills.
The Morongo Basin Search and Rescue teams' goal is to strive for excellence and be dedicated to residents of the Morongo Basin and the entire San Bernardino County.