Summary

October 24-31 declared “Search and Rescue Volunteer Recognition Week”

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today recognized the volunteers who give their time to finding and rescuing people from dangerous situation throughout the region by declaring October 24-31 as “Search and Rescue Volunteer Recognition Week” in King County.

“I’m always amazed and appreciative of the commitment and skills of our search and rescue volunteers and their willingness to give so much time and energy to assisting people in distress,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, sponsor of the recognition. “They deserve our full support as they do this important work.”

Working under the direction of the King County Sheriff’s Office, search and rescue volunteers aid those who have been lost or injured both in remote settings and urban locations.

Search and rescue volunteers perform more than 100 rescues every year, and account for 138 rescues in 2015.

There are a number of nonprofit organizations that comprise King County Search and Rescue; King County 4x4 Search and Rescue, King County Explorer Search and Rescue, King County Incident Support Team, King County Search Dogs, Northwest Horseback Search and Rescue, Pacific Northwest Trackers, Seattle Mountain Rescue, and Ski Patrol Rescue Team. The members of these groups volunteered more than 18,000 hours on missions throughout King County and the region.

Search and Rescue volunteers, and one four-footed volunteer, join Councilmembers after the members proclaimed Oct. 24-31 "Search and Rescue Volunteer Recognition Week" for the men and women who volunteer to assist the King County Sheriff in finding and aiding people in danger throughout the region

WHEREAS, people in King County who find themselves in imminent danger or distress, or who become lost in remote areas or city streets, depend on search and rescue services; and

WHEREAS, the volunteers within King County Search and Rescue, operating under the direction of the King County Sheriff’s Office, are part of nonprofit organizations who contribute their time, skills, and equipment to help those in need; and

WHEREAS, King County Search and Rescue volunteers perform at least 100 rescue missions each year, including 138 in 2015, with more than 5,000 rescue deployments since its inception; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, the volunteers drove 175,000 miles while volunteering 18,000 hours on missions; and

WHEREAS, the volunteer organizations of King County Search and Rescue include eight units: King County 4x4 Search and Rescue, King County Explorer Search and Rescue, King County Incident Support Team, King County Search Dogs, Northwest Horseback Search and Rescue, Pacific Northwest Trackers, Seattle Mountain Rescue, and Ski Patrol Rescue Team; and

WHEREAS, King County Search and Rescue volunteers provide a valuable public service by promoting public education on wilderness safety and assisting law enforcement communities with crime scene investigations; and

WHEREAS, these volunteers maintain the highest proficiency in search and rescue techniques and operations;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the King County Executive and King County Council, proclaim October 24-31, 2016, as

in King County and encourage all county residents to join us in acknowledging the County’s search and rescue volunteers for their important, life-saving work.

DATED this twenty-fourth day of October, 2016.