Introduction

What is Cibola Search and Rescue?

Cibola Search and Rescue (CSAR) is an organization whose members are all unpaid volunteers, and which provides wilderness search and rescue (SAR) services to the State of New Mexico. We are based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and we specialize in ground search techniques and litter evacuations in wilderness situations. In addition, certain individuals have expertise in technical rescue, Incident Command positions, canine training, and other SAR-related skills.

Training

The team offers numerous trainings in topics related to our specialties. These usually occur on one weekend morning per month, and we provide SAR-related presentations prior to our monthly business meetings. Among the various topics are Land Navigation, Search Techniques, Litter Evacuations, Safety, and Gear/Clothing.

Missions

CSAR participates in missions statewide, but the majority of them are in the Sandia mountains adjacent to Albuquerque. The State Police have high-level authority for the missions, but the in-field administration and operational units are completely staffed by unpaid volunteers. We averaged about 40 missions in each of the years 1995/1996, and we have had 33 missions in the 1 year period between August 1998 and August 1999.

Membership

After attending three CSAR events (customarily meetings and trainings), individuals are invited to an orientation session. This session familiarizes them with the basics of SAR, and CSAR's policies. They are also assigned a mentor, and receive a packet of information for new members, a copy of our Member Guide, and a list of required gear/clothing. After they have acquired the prescribed gear/clothing, they are called for missions. During their evaluation period, they are required to team up with more experienced CSAR members while in the field. Details on membership requirements, attendance requirements, training requirements, team policies, etc. are found in the Member Guide.

Equipment

CSAR maintains a gear cache for use in various types of SAR missions. This includes a litter/wheel, ropes and associated gear, radios, GPS's, and maps. Any CSAR member who deploys to a mission can use this gear when appropriate. In addition, each individual must acquire what they would need to spend 24 hours in mountain conditions, most of which is detailed on the list of required gear/clothing.

Meetings

The regular business meeting is held every second Thursday of the month at 7:15 P.M. and is usually finished by 9:00 P.M. We are not affiliated with any religious organization, but the congregation of St. Chad's church graciously allows us to use their meeting room.