D.A.R.E.S.
Search and Rescue
"That Others May Live"
Desert Alpine Reserve Emergency Services, Inc is a 501(c)3, all volunteer Search and Rescue organization in Maricopa County, Arizona. We provide Outdoor Survival Training for groups and organizations and we have a dedicated Search Rescue & Medical Team (DARES Posse) that is a part of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Posse program and is requested through the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
If you have an emergency or need an immediate rescue please call 9-1-1 and stay where you are.
WHO WE ARE
DARES Posse
DARES Posse is the side of DARES that is part of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Posse Program as a Search & Rescue Team and also a Medical Team. We have a ground team that specializes in man-tracking and instructing all aspects of SAR. We have a medical team that volunteers at the River and the Lakes to provide medical assistance to anyone who needs it. To become a member of the DARES Posse SAR Team or Medical Team you must also apply with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Posse program and pass the background check and complete and maintain all required MCSO posse training. SAR members must also complete all SAR Training required by the state to be called out to missions. Medical Team members must be EMT or higher. Medical Team members are also able to deploy with the SAR team, provided they complete the required SAR Training.
Our teams participate in searches during all hours of the day and night, across Arizona and can be called up on standby to assist in surrounding states. They also teach classes around the state for other SAR teams and counties and assist in teaching EMT and related medical courses. Overall our members volunteered over 4000 hours last year "so others may live".
WHAT WE DO
Making A Difference
Desert Alpine Reserve Emergency Services members provide education and hands on training to help the public recreate responsibly. They also can be called up to provide assistance during emergencies both in the United States and across the World. Members can apply for positions on the DARES Posse SAR and Medical Teams, provided they pass the required volunteer posse application with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
DARES posse members are all required to be Arizona SAR III Technicians. Members who are deployed into the field in searches are required to complete their AZ SAR II Technician rating. DARES primary mission is mantracking so members are are also encouraged to get their Tracker 3 and Tracker 2 Certifications so they can lead tracking teams. Some members are also SAR I Technicians in various disciplines, which allows them to teach SAR Classes around Arizona.
Members also provide public SAR education by going out and hiking popular, yet still remote, trails in Arizona. While on these hikes members interact with children and teach them about hug a tree, how and when to use a whistle and even hand out whistles and small lights or glow sticks. They also distribute bottles of water to anyone who needs them and will take the time to share their knowledge of the area they are hiking in to anyone who is interested.
TRACKING
Finding lost subjects
INSTRUCTING
Training new searchers
sar team in the field
Multi Agency Search
First Water Trailhead search
sar team in the field
"There is nothing stronger than that of the bond that saves lives willingly with nothing in return."
~York Sunbury Search and Rescue
CONTACT US
Please use this form contact DARES or to learn how you can get involved in Search and Rescue in Maricopa County.