Suddenly, I knew what I wanted to do with my life,'' she said, walking in Windsor's Foothill Park last Saturday during a training exercise for the rescue team. She's since become an emergency medical technician, and volunteers as a firefighter. The feeling of finding someone, and knowing you made a difference in saving their life, is the most incredible feeling in the world,'' she said. These days, the search and rescue team is looking for more volunteers. As many as 40 people are needed to help on a long-term basis.
Volunteers wear pagers and are on call.
Those in their first year are asked to attend all the training sessions, which occur monthly and cover such topics as how to use a compass and how to transport an injured patient. First-year volunteers also are asked to participate in half of the searches, which are mostly at night and in Sonoma County. We ask for a two-year commitment. We need people who are available to help.'' The application process is extensive. Applications are screened by the county's volunteer center and forwarded to the Sheriff's Department.