Search and Rescue Mutual Aid Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:09:21 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530739 en-us © 2026 Base Medical yes 201bac6a-14c7-5f60-9bf0-f075889cd3ec Base Medical episodic false We bring together leaders from SAR teams across the country to discuss creative solutions to universal problems. From member retention to fundraising to team training - we’re all about bringing the community together and crossing county lines to elevate the SAR profession. Presented by Base Medical.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Search and Rescue, SAR, Wilderness Rescue, Rescue, Wilderness Medicine, Outdoors, Mountain, Mountain Rescue Base Medical https://storage.buzzsprout.com/cpsb3f7vhnqyi6oewbt4jjgwby92?.jpg Search and Rescue Mutual Aid https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530739 109: SAR Advocacy with Jeff Sparhawk 109: SAR Advocacy with Jeff Sparhawk Why is advocacy so important for the future of SAR?

Showing up and having a seat at the table is key for the continued growth of SAR in the United States.

Today, we talk to Jeff Sparhawk - Executive Director for Colorado SAR Association. With over 30 years of SAR experience and an education in law, Jeff has been instrumental in moving forward statewide Search and Rescue policies and processes.

Today's Guest

Jeff Sparhawk: Executive Director for Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR), non-profit lawyer, SAR advocate

]]> Why is advocacy so important for the future of SAR?

Showing up and having a seat at the table is key for the continued growth of SAR in the United States.

Today, we talk to Jeff Sparhawk - Executive Director for Colorado SAR Association. With over 30 years of SAR experience and an education in law, Jeff has been instrumental in moving forward statewide Search and Rescue policies and processes.

Today's Guest

Jeff Sparhawk: Executive Director for Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR), non-profit lawyer, SAR advocate

]]> Base Medical Buzzsprout-19528490 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0700 4867 1 9 full false 108: Funding Rescue and Charging for SAR - with Scott Solle, Carrie Lee Gagnon, and Colin Williams 108: Funding Rescue and Charging for SAR - with Scott Solle, Carrie Lee Gagnon, and Colin Williams How can teams fund resource intense rescues? Should we be charging for SAR?

Teams have the drive, skills, and training to keep people safe in the outdoors, but all rescues cost money. When traditional fundraising methods - which are labor and time intensive - fall short, how can teams make up the difference? Today, we're talking about the future of SAR and getting creative.

Today's Guests

Scott Solle: Vice Commander of Grand County SAR (Moab, Utah)

Carrie Lee Gagnon: Executive Director of King County Search and Rescue Association (KCSARA)

Colin Williams: King County 4x4 Search and Rescue

]]> How can teams fund resource intense rescues? Should we be charging for SAR?

Teams have the drive, skills, and training to keep people safe in the outdoors, but all rescues cost money. When traditional fundraising methods - which are labor and time intensive - fall short, how can teams make up the difference? Today, we're talking about the future of SAR and getting creative.

Today's Guests

Scott Solle: Vice Commander of Grand County SAR (Moab, Utah)

Carrie Lee Gagnon: Executive Director of King County Search and Rescue Association (KCSARA)

Colin Williams: King County 4x4 Search and Rescue

]]> Base Medical Buzzsprout-18704126 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0800 4597 1 8 full false 107: Family Liaison Officer with Moose Mutlow 107: Family Liaison Officer with Moose Mutlow What is a Family Liaison Officer and why is it an important role?

A family liaison officer can bring your team's professionalism to the next level - but what exactly do they do and how can you take the first step?

Today, we talk to Moose Mutlow - FLO for Yosemite SAR and author of "When Accidents Happen" - who is leading the charge on training FLOs. Moose tells us about his experience and how teams are evolving.

Today's Guest

Moose Mutlow: Senior trainer and family liaison officer of Yosemite Search & Rescue, Author, Instructor

Learn More at moosemutlow.com

]]> What is a Family Liaison Officer and why is it an important role?

A family liaison officer can bring your team's professionalism to the next level - but what exactly do they do and how can you take the first step?

Today, we talk to Moose Mutlow - FLO for Yosemite SAR and author of "When Accidents Happen" - who is leading the charge on training FLOs. Moose tells us about his experience and how teams are evolving.

Today's Guest

Moose Mutlow: Senior trainer and family liaison officer of Yosemite Search & Rescue, Author, Instructor

Learn More at moosemutlow.com

]]> Base Medical Buzzsprout-18503562 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0800 3473 1 7 full false 106: Special Subject Populations with Katie Schuelke 106: Special Subject Populations with Katie Schuelke How can teams best support subjects from populations with unique needs?

Is your team prepared to respond to a call to support an autistic subject? Or a subject with dementia? What about someone with other communication or sensory needs?

Today, we talk to Katie Schuelke to get important perspective on working with these special subject populations. Katie is working with Base Medical to develop a course that can bridge this gap and set teams up for success.

Today's Guest

Katie Schuelke: King County Explorer SAR, EMT, and Speech Language Pathologist

]]> How can teams best support subjects from populations with unique needs?

Is your team prepared to respond to a call to support an autistic subject? Or a subject with dementia? What about someone with other communication or sensory needs?

Today, we talk to Katie Schuelke to get important perspective on working with these special subject populations. Katie is working with Base Medical to develop a course that can bridge this gap and set teams up for success.

Today's Guest

Katie Schuelke: King County Explorer SAR, EMT, and Speech Language Pathologist

]]> Base Medical Buzzsprout-18290803 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0800 4179 1 6 full false 105: Team Culture with Chris Ruch, VP of the MRA 105: Team Culture with Chris Ruch, VP of the MRA How do you intentionally build a strong team culture? And why?

Chris Ruch (VP of the Mountain Rescue Association and chief of Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group) discusses how culture can impact team performance, the importance of defining and assessing team culture, and the need for a shared mission. Together, we explore practical strategies for addressing conflict, ensuring safety, and fostering a sense of belonging within teams.

Today's Guest

Chris Ruch: MRA Vice President and Chief of Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group

]]> How do you intentionally build a strong team culture? And why?

Chris Ruch (VP of the Mountain Rescue Association and chief of Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group) discusses how culture can impact team performance, the importance of defining and assessing team culture, and the need for a shared mission. Together, we explore practical strategies for addressing conflict, ensuring safety, and fostering a sense of belonging within teams.

Today's Guest

Chris Ruch: MRA Vice President and Chief of Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group

]]> Base Medical Buzzsprout-18174570 Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0800 3179 1 5 full false 104: Fundraising and Outreach with Kelley McIntosh 104: Fundraising and Outreach with Kelley McIntosh What does it take to build a fundraising program that's effective and dynamic?

Kelley McIntosh from Mason County SAR in Washington have reinvented their fundraising program in the last few years. Between events like comedy night, turnkey programs like spare change round up, grants, and public outreach, they've diversified and increased their revenue streams.

We discuss how teams can kick up their fundraising efforts and build community relationships.

Today's Guest

Kelley McIntosh: Mason County Search and Rescue

]]> What does it take to build a fundraising program that's effective and dynamic?

Kelley McIntosh from Mason County SAR in Washington have reinvented their fundraising program in the last few years. Between events like comedy night, turnkey programs like spare change round up, grants, and public outreach, they've diversified and increased their revenue streams.

We discuss how teams can kick up their fundraising efforts and build community relationships.

Today's Guest

Kelley McIntosh: Mason County Search and Rescue

]]> Base Medical Buzzsprout-18052165 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700 2419 1 4 full false 103: Preventative Search and Rescue with Anna Marini and Meghan Twohig 103: Preventative Search and Rescue with Anna Marini and Meghan Twohig How can teams implement a PSAR program that reaches a wide audience and offers value?

Today we talk about all things Preventative SAR including how it helps communities, emboldens teams, and leads to better outcomes all around. Helping to educate your community can help your team build connections and put hard earned knowledge to good use. But where to begin? Our guests share some advice.

Today's Guests

Anna Marini: PSAR Coordinator at Joshua Tree National Park

Meghan Twohig: Vail Mountain Rescue Group, Colorado Hoist Rescue Volunteer Team, and Marketing, Partnership, and Training CalTopo

]]> How can teams implement a PSAR program that reaches a wide audience and offers value?

Today we talk about all things Preventative SAR including how it helps communities, emboldens teams, and leads to better outcomes all around. Helping to educate your community can help your team build connections and put hard earned knowledge to good use. But where to begin? Our guests share some advice.

Today's Guests

Anna Marini: PSAR Coordinator at Joshua Tree National Park

Meghan Twohig: Vail Mountain Rescue Group, Colorado Hoist Rescue Volunteer Team, and Marketing, Partnership, and Training CalTopo

]]> Base Medical Buzzsprout-17934347 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0700 3148 1 3 full false 102: Dispatch Issues in New Mexico and Beyond with Robert Garcia 102: Dispatch Issues in New Mexico and Beyond with Robert Garcia How do different states navigate dispatch when it comes to Search and Rescue? And how will an amendment to a New Mexico law change the process and save lives?

Today we hear from Teal Harbin and Robert Garcia - who worked together to increase awareness and pass an amendment in New Mexico, which will streamline dispatch and bolster the state's SAR program.

Today's Guest:

Robert Garcia: NMSARC Chair, Field Coordinator, and Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad

]]> How do different states navigate dispatch when it comes to Search and Rescue? And how will an amendment to a New Mexico law change the process and save lives?

Today we hear from Teal Harbin and Robert Garcia - who worked together to increase awareness and pass an amendment in New Mexico, which will streamline dispatch and bolster the state's SAR program.

Today's Guest:

Robert Garcia: NMSARC Chair, Field Coordinator, and Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad

]]> Base Medical Buzzsprout-17926960 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0700 2842 1 2 full false 101: Emotional Resilience with Jeff Tinnin and Dr. Roger Mortimer 101: Emotional Resilience with Jeff Tinnin and Dr. Roger Mortimer How can teams navigate the emotional and mental challenges of working in Search and Rescue to ensure member retention and health?

Today, we explore the importance of discussions on responder mental health and what teams can do to recognize and manage stress injuries. From individual behaviors to systemic structures, there are many ways you can help your team to be resilient and supportive.

For more information on Responder Alliance: https://www.responderalliance.com/

Help is always available on the Crisis Hotline at 988.


Today's Guests:

Dr. Roger Mortimer: Fresno County SAR, National Cave Rescue Commission, NCRC delegate to the International Commission on Alpine Rescue
Jeff Tinnin: President of PNWSAR in Portland Oregon, part of the Emotional Resiliency team, Co-Founder of Disaster Response International

]]> How can teams navigate the emotional and mental challenges of working in Search and Rescue to ensure member retention and health?

Today, we explore the importance of discussions on responder mental health and what teams can do to recognize and manage stress injuries. From individual behaviors to systemic structures, there are many ways you can help your team to be resilient and supportive.

For more information on Responder Alliance: https://www.responderalliance.com/

Help is always available on the Crisis Hotline at 988.


Today's Guests:

Dr. Roger Mortimer: Fresno County SAR, National Cave Rescue Commission, NCRC delegate to the International Commission on Alpine Rescue
Jeff Tinnin: President of PNWSAR in Portland Oregon, part of the Emotional Resiliency team, Co-Founder of Disaster Response International

]]> Base Medical Buzzsprout-17926498 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0700 3213 1 1 full false