About
The
Whatcom County Search & Rescue 4x4 unit has a maximum of 50 members, and
there are currently 35 members on the roster. Each member must be at least 21
and own a street legal 4-wheel drive. Each member of search & rescue must
meet the requirements of WAC 118-04-120 and WAC 118-04-200 before they can be
deployed into the field. There are lots of things to do as a search &
rescue member. In addition to regular training, the members also participate
in community service activities such as Project Santa (www.projectsanta.org) &
The Ski to Sea Race (www.bellingham.com/skitosea). The group participates in
parades throughout the county. In between missions, training & community
service, we also need to find time to do fundraising. We need equipment and
costly training to keep our members ready to respond to missing hikers,
hunters, wheelers, Alzheimer's patients & children while also preparing
for major events like the pipeline explosions, snow storms, volcano
eruptions, earthquakes and terrorist attacks.
We have
members from all walks of life and age range. We have members from 21 to 83.
We even have Santa Claus on our team. We have laborers, business managers,
teachers, firemen and retirees.
The 4x4
unit owns an equipment truck, river jet boat, WWII DUKW (amphibious vehicle),
generator light plants and other necessary equipment to perform rescues and
assist in searching.