Sheridan Area Search and Rescue is looking for dedicated residents

According to the US Forest Service, The Bighorn National Forest offers breathtaking scenery, a diversity of recreation experiences, and nearly 192,000 acres of wilderness. That’s 300 square miles of wild country.

Every year, Sheridan Area Search and Rescue volunteers gear-up and head into the wilderness in every kind of weather to find and recover lost and injured recreationalists. 

The Sheridan Area Search and Rescue is currently made up of 31 active members, and they are looking to grow that number. 

Sheridan Area Search and Rescue President Bob Aksamit, Training Officer Angela Mullinax and Treasurer Colin Ferriman made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to talk about the organization and increase membership numbers during their recruitment drive. 

Being a member of the team means being trained. Mullinax said that training spans a wide variety of scenarios in search and rescue. 

A. Mullinax 

Being ready for a rescue involving variables is a top priority for the Search and Rescue. Aksamit has served on the team for 17 years. He said the majority of the missions involve finding and recovering lost and injured recreationalists. 

B. Aksamit  

Many of those missions are completed with positive results quickly, but others can take multiple days.

According to Aksamit, having a larger team means more boots on the ground are available for a search in the first crucial hours after a person is reported missing. It also allows for rotations during searches that require multiple days, keeping searchers fresh and alert.

A 15 year veteran of the team, Ferriman said he encourages anyone to volunteer, one never knows if they possess a skill set that could save a life on a mission unless they join the team. 

C. Ferriman

To learn more about the Sheridan Area Search and Rescue and join the team, click here.