Arizona Search And Rescue Group Seeking New Volunteers

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The Mohave County Search & Rescue/ Arizona Strip unit is seeking for new volunteer recruits. The volunteer group works with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office on search and rescue missions over a vast region of desert landscape in northwestern Arizona.

In a recent interview with The Progress, Mark Cobb, the group’s second in command, explained that the unit stands at the ready 24/7 to support area law enforcement agencies in search and rescue efforts.

Cobb has been a volunteer of the Arizona Strip Unit for 9 years now and has assisted on countless search and rescue calls. In reminiscing about those experiences he recalled what was probably his most unusual search mission.

At one point, the unit was called out to help find two missing persons who had driven a vehicle out into the desert. The two women were elderly with one being 87 years old and the other 94. They had not yet returned from an outing in the Mount Trumbull area.

Cobb said that his group quickly located the vehicle. It had gotten caught in a flash flood. The 87-year-old subject had stayed with the vehicle and was found there. She was waiting for the 94-year-old that had set off on foot to go get help.

“It took three days and a few helicopters to locate the elderly lady,” Cobb said. “She was waving to the helicopter. She had left the vehicle with little water and no food. That was an unexpected but very fortunate outcome.”

Except for being dehydrated this tough senior lady was still in good shape. She was also very grateful. The woman later invited the entire search and rescue unit to celebrate her 95th birthday with her.

Cobb stressed that off road travellers should be prepared when going on an outing in the desert or the mountains. “Take plenty of water and always have some food with you and extra clothing,” Cobb said.

“Hikers and off-roaders should also always let someone know where they are headed, what time they plan to be back, and who is going with them. If someone knows this information search and rescue teams will have a starting point to find you quicker if needed.”

Cobb said that the Mojave County Search & Rescue team keeps busy. The group gets an average of about 14 search and rescue calls per year. Those calls range in complexity and severity.

Depending on the kind of call a volunteer could be out for 3 to 4 days at a time in some cases. Other times the response could just involve helping with traffic control at a fire or accident.

The Mojave County Search & Rescue organization offers extensive wildland rescue training to its volunteers. All volunteers take a 2-day training course in Kingman, Arizona, and take ongoing classes online. Mohave County Search & Rescue volunteers have received UTV offroad/hiking training, swiftwater rescue training, and rope awareness.

Additional training is available to the group when there are more volunteers in the program, Cobb said.
Presently the Mohave County Search and Rescue team has only twelve volunteers. More are needed.

Cobb said anyone living in the area, Nevada included, can apply to be a member of Mohave County Search and Rescue. Volunteers must be 21 years of age and have a 4×4 vehicle or side by side that they can deploy in an operation.

“There is no (upper) age limit on volunteering,” Cobb said. “Some seniors who have physical limitations can still be helpful working in the command center. We can use anyone.”

The Mohave County Search and Rescue/Arizona Strip Unit is a 501c3 non-profit organization. For more information on how to volunteer or give donations to the group, visit Mohavesearch.com or email questions to rodgorder@gmail.com.