Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue
Year End Report for 2009
Thank you to all those of you who donated to FoYOSAR – your generosity has provided the firm foundation for the Board to actively supports all our volunteers throughout Yosemite.
- Yosemite Valley – YoSAR funded the renovation of a designated office for the SAR siters. A number of SAR volunteers use the internet to maintain Continuing Education Credits for their emergency medicine qualifications. They now have a designated quiet space for study, with internet access that they can use without being disturbed by other trainings or operations
- Denali Travel grant – FoYOSAR and Denali National Park mountaineering program has established an exchange program with YOSAR. One applicant from a SAR site in Yosemite can apply to be part of an NPS Summit Patrol – FoYOSAR provides a travel stipend to help with the costs of the airline ticket – in Alaska NPS provides transport and support to, on and from the mountain. Brandon Latham, a former YOSAR member and now mountaineering ranger, has helped define the program and ensure the exchange provides professional development opportunities for the successful applicant. Andy Hoekel attended this year. FoYOSAR recognizes that the key to a successful adaptive SAR team are diverse experiences that build beyond core competences and tune advanced skills.
- Health Insurance – the health insurance stipend was continued this year – 85% of the team applied for the reimbursement. The SAR site volunteers in Yosemite remain the only NPS volunteers nationally that receive support in this way – given the profound risks that the team members face on a regular basis it is a simple recognition of their commitment to supporting others in their time of need.
- Training Grants – FoYOSAR was able to offer grants to team members for Wilderness First Responder, EMT and Rigging for Rescue training. Each year Rigging For Rescue and Sierra Rescue offer full scholarship positions to team members for training in High Angle Rescue and Swiftwater Rescue.