On call 24/7, 365 days, when people need emergency response

Since 1955, the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team (SDMRT) has been dedicated to saving the lives of those who become lost or injured in the San Gabriel Mountains. The all-volunteer team operates as part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, with some members serving as reserve deputies. Guided by the motto “Anytime, Anywhere, So Others May Live,” members remain on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to respond to reports of lost or injured hikers, vehicles over the side of mountain roads, or requests for assistance from other search and rescue teams and the Sheriff’s Department in a wide range of operations

Team members undergo nine months of mountaineer training, covering 26 Los Angeles County Search and Rescue standards. Skills include rappelling, climbing, land navigation, search and tracking, raising and lowering systems, helicopter operations, locating downed aircraft, and snow and ice rescue techniques, including avalanche search. Many members go on to become reserve deputy sheriffs through a five-month reserve academy. The final step is certification as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), ensuring the ability to provide advanced medical care to severely injured victims in the field

The SDMRT is composed of mountaineer members and support staff from diverse professional backgrounds. These volunteers dedicate countless hours each month to maintain proficiency in their technical rescue and medical skills. At any moment, they may be called to respond--whether to a car over the side of a mountain road, an injured hiker on a remote trail, or a large-scale search effort.

The team's mission, Anytime, Anywhere, So Others May Live, extends beyond rescues. Each year, thousands of community members benefit from safety programs such as Hug-A-Tree, which teaches children and young outdoor enthusiasts how to stay safe in the wilderness. The team also conducts presentations for schools, community organizations, and civic groups, often bringing rescue vehicles and equipment to help demonstrate their work.

The San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team is a non-profit organization. As the most cost-effective emergency response service in Los Angeles County, volunteer search and rescue teams save taxpayers millions of dollars each year. The Sheriff's Department provides very little of the team's equipment,and with budget cuts, rising costs, and evolving technology this means the team relies almost exclusively on donations and fundraising to cover critical needs not otherwise funded. Recent purchases made possible by donor support include snowshoes and crampons, new rope and rope systems, a lightweight titanium litter, and audio-visual equipment for training and public education.

Anytime, Anywhere, and the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team is there.

If you are interested in becoming a member of this historic and vibrant organization or how you can support us, contact us today.

Also, if you have any questions about the San Dimas Mt. Rescue Team, please contact us.