Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Sheriff Department’s East County Volunteer Search & Rescue Team Holding Fund Raising Event

Location: Whole Foods Market, 740 N. Moorpark Road

Date & Time: Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff Aviation Search & Rescue Unit


On Wednesday, February 3rd, the East County Sheriff’s Volunteer Search & Rescue Team will be holding a Community Support Day at Whole Foods Market in Thousand Oaks, 740 N. Moorpark Road. Whole Foods Market will donate 5% of the sales for that day to your local Search and Rescue Team. If you plan to shop at Whole Foods Market, please come out on Wednesday, February 3rd and support this valuable volunteer program for your community.

The Team is comprised of highly dedicated and skilled volunteers who respond to wilderness and other emergencies in Ventura County. The East County Search & Rescue Team (VCSAR) is a registered non-profit organization and is funded by donations from the community.

VCSAR service for the calendar year ending 2009:

Responded to 15 emergency callouts including wilderness searches, crime evidence searches, and wildfire evacuations. These callouts collectively totaled 2,109 volunteer hours, with an average of 10 responders per event.

Over the year, 12 training events were held comprising over 1,744 hours. The 2009 annual team hours totaled 3,853 and were spread among 22 active members for an average of 175 hours per member.

VCSAR is currently running a 10 month training program with 16 new members trying out.

VCSAR team members are extensively trained in search techniques, technical rope rescue, tracking, swiftwater rescue, communications, winter operations, urban search and rescue, and search management.

Learn more at http://www.vcsar3.org

Follow-up Contact: Sr. Dep. Kevin Donoghue #2735 (805) 797-7131

Date of Release: 01-27-2010