We are an all-volunteer organization with more than 75 members covering all of Mohave County.
Our mission is to assist the Sheriff in serving the community by carrying out search and rescue missions and other duties as requested by the Sheriff.
Interested in joining Mohave County Search & Rescue? We are always looking for individuals with a positive attitude who are community
service oriented. Our members must have a 4 wheel drive vehicle and be willing and prepared to be called out at all times of the day or
night, sometimes in very inclement weather. They must also be willing and able to follow orders and direction from other members who are
in positions of authority within the Unit. Since this is a totally "volunteer" organization, our members must be prepared to pay for many
expenses out of their own pockets. However, fuel for the vehicle used on a mission is reimbursed.
Our main purpose is to assist the Sheriff’s Office in the search for lost individuals, and if needed, to rescue them. We also help in
evidence searches, body recoveries, security at community events, traffic control and we provide assistance during fires and other disasters.
If this sounds like an organization you would like to be a part of, please read our membership requirements listed below.
- The applicant must be 18 years of age or older and be sponsored by a current search & rescue member.
- The applicant must fill out a written application and include fingerprint cards, a full- length color photograph and a $35.00 application fee. A background check is also included in the application process.
- The applicant must attend three consecutive monthly meetings and be voted on by the members.
- The applicant must serve a 12 month probation period which starts with the first month after acceptance by the membership.
- Once admitted to the unit, the new member must attend a 16 hour Basic Academy, pay $15.00 annual dues, obtain a Volunteer Identification Card from the Sheriff’s Office and the proper uniform for public functions (Class A) and search & rescue activities (orange T-shirt or other field uniform).
For more information on joining Mohave County Search & Rescue, please contact the Mohave County Sheriff’ s Office at (928) 753-0753 at extension 4221.
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2007 CALENDAR:
Regular Monthly Meeting - Kingman Unit - first Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Sheriff’s Office training room, 600 W. Beale St., Kingman.
January 6 - Installation Dinner
January 9 - Commander’s Meeting
March 10-11 - All unit training near Needle Mt.
March 30-April 2 - Bullhead City Rodeo
March 31 - Magic Show fund raiser
April 9 - Coordinator’s training
May 6 - Rope Training
September 14-17 - Mohave County Fair fund raiser
September 15-17 - Arizona SAR in Heber, AZ
October 1-2 - Kingman Air and Auto Show
Rope Training – Training on a bi-monthly basis- dates will be announced at meetings
2007 OFFICERS:
| Captain - John Bridges | Secretary - Paula Vega |
| Executive Officer - Luis Vega | Quartermaster - Brad Daley |
| Adjutant & Treasurer - Wally Hoyt | Sergeant at Arms - Jack Gunnoe |
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| Board of Directors: | Ken Miller, Roy Sparks, Tom Blum |
SQUADS:
| Sgt. Martin “Doc” Ahlene | | | |
| Sgt.Brad Daley | Sgt.Jack Gunnoe | Sgt.Tom Blum | Sgt.Ken Miller |
| Joe Shelton | Mike Bollinger | Frank Stein | Lareyl Tahbo |
| Tom Barker | Kevin Gunnoe | John Kloosterman | Paula Vega |
| Dan Valderrain | Wes Hassell | Ray Garner | Roy Sparks |
| Tom Burger | Doyle Sumner | Marcus Neal | |
| | Randall Keatley | | |
| | Marc Neal | |
| Sgt.Wayne Wisinger | | | |
| Jim Werhabanowicz | | |
| Tom Sixta | | | |
| Eric Frye | | | |
| Josh Wisinger | | | |
MISSIONS:
2007
January 7 - Search for 2 adults and 2 kids lost on Hualapai Mts. Subjects found in good condition.
February 24 - Short haul, using DPS helicopter, injured bicycle rider from Hualapai Mts. Injured rider transported to Las Vegas hospital.
March 7 - Search for overdue ATV riders in Black Mts. Riders found in good condition.
April 6 - Rescue driver and stuck vehicle in Cerbat Mts.
April 7 - Callout to help Lake Mead Rangers rescue trapped hikers near Kingman Wash.
April 14-15 - Assist Coconino Co. with search for lost hiker in Little Colorado River gorge. Hiker still missing.
May 4 - Search for overdue individuals in 4WD. Individuals located.
2006
January 11 - Body recovery from under Burro Creek bridge. Pictures
February 12-13 - Search for male subject with Alzheimer. Subject located in good condition.
February 21 - Search for 3 males lost in Standard Wash. Subjects found in good condition.
February 27 - Search for lost individuals in Standard Wash, found in good condition.
March 20 - Search for downed plane, plane located with 2 deceased individuals.
April 7 - Assist La Paz County in recovery of fallen hiker.
May 13 - Assist Coconino County in search for lost hiker in Supai Canyon. Body of hiker found.
May 21 - Medical transport of injured ATV rider from Hualapai Mtns.
May 21- Search for lost hiker in Aquarious Range. Hiker found in good condition.
July 1- Injured ATV rider transported to hospital with help of DPS helicopter.
July 4- Search for 71 year old male with dementia. Subjected located in good condition.
November 27- Search for missing 4WD vehicle with 3 individuals. Subjects found in good condition.
December 3- Stranded climbers on Bull Mtn helped down by DPS helicopter.
December 4- Assist La Paz County in search for lost ATV rider. Subject found in good condition.
December 9- Search for lost individual in the Strip portion of Mohave Co. Subject found in good condition.
PLAY SAFE:
In September 2000, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue participated in a night search north of Kingman for two missing boys, ages 10 and 11. The next morning the boys’ bodies were found in Mohave Wash - they had been buried alive when the wash bank caved in on the hole they were digging.
This tragedy underscored the need to inform and educate children of the potential dangers of playing in a rural desert environment. As the population of Mohave County changes from individuals raised in this desert environment and aware of the potential dangers, to those primarily from an urban upbringing and not fully aware of the dangers, the need is increased.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue attempts to address this need for information by making an awareness program available to school-aged children.
This copyrighted program is called PLAY SAFE and consists of presentations by Search and Rescue volunteers at schools, churches, and other organizations. The presentations are built around four common sense rules. To emphasize the rules, accounts of actual searches/rescues where one of the rules had not been followed is included. Also included in the presentations are videos, news clips, and demonstrations. At the end of the program the children are given a colorful laminated bookmark with the PLAY SAFE rules and the telephone number of the Sheriff’s office. They are encouraged to share this information with their family.
For further information on the PLAY SAFE program, contact the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue at P.O. Box 3392, Kingman, AZ 86402, or at 928-753-0753 Ext. 4221.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS:
As a service to the community, the Kingman Unit of Search & Rescue conducts community workshops on operating GPS units and map reading. These workshops are scheduled as time permits and the level of interest in the community.
Additional workshops are planned and will be posted on the calendar.
DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING:
The all volunteer Mohave County Search & Rescue, Kingman Unit appreciates the monetary support it receives from corporations, small businesses, and individuals. The Unit has a Federal tax-exempt status under IRS section 501 c (3) and all donations are tax deductible. The donated money is used for necessary Unit equipment and specialized gear. Each member buys his own personal equipment and outfits his own vehicle.
Throughout the year, the Unit sponsors or participates in the following events as another means of raising money.
- Kingman Magic Show
- Kingman Air and Auto Show
- Mohave County Fair
- Bullhead City Rodeo
- Mohave County Fair fund raiser
For further information about our fundraising events or if you wish to make a donation to Mohave County Search & Rescue, Kingman Unit, please contact us at (928) 753-0753 Ext. 4221 or mail us at Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue at P.O. Box 3392, Kingman, AZ 86402.
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Sheriff's Office - Search & Rescue