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Man's unquenchable thirst for adventure and desire to explore new and sometimes dangerous terrain periodically will lead him into trouble. When this occurs in the greater Palm Springs area, there is an organization known as The Palm Springs Mounted Search and Rescue (PSMP-SAR) to come to their aid.
Founded in 1949 after several hastily organized rescues resulted in the loss of equipment and injury to the improperly equipped rescuers and their horses, Chief Gus Kettmann accepted patrolman John Hollinger's proposal to formally organize a volunteer search and rescue unit. This prestigious organization has: served as honor guard for President Eisenhower, worked in conjunction with the Palm Springs Police Department and the Bureau of Land Management as law enforcement in Tahquitz Canyon since 1968. The hard work and dedication to professionalism has even earned this organization a spot on the national show Rescue 911 in February of 1995.
 | Chief Jeandron welcomes the newest members
of the Search and Rescue Team |  | | Group Photo |
Over the nearly 50 years of existence they have performed over 1,000 technical rescues in the mountainous areas surrounding the greater Palm Springs area. These rescues are performed by horseback, hiking, and helicopter. As the difficulty of the rescues increase and the population of the city has grown, PSMP-SAR has become trained as a technical rock rescue organization.
In order to continue to function as one of the finest volunteer search and rescue organizations in Southern California, members must continually undergo extensive training in the classroom, on the rocks, and in the helicopters. Members are required to maintain proficiency in first aid, rappelling, rock climbing, and law enforcement skills. Each member, in addition to being a sworn reserve officer, is a trained and certified technical rope rescuer. Many of the members are nurses, doctors, or EMT's.
Funding for PSMP-SAR is derived primarily from private donation or fund raising. Each member is responsible for providing their own personal gear at a cost of nearly $2,000 per member. Members must also maintain their own gear as well as the unit's $50,000 worth of rescue equipment and the four vehicle fleet. Members spend approximately 8,000 hours annually on meetings, training, and administration, not to mention the countless hours on the hill during rescue missions. With a $2,000 cost for each rescue, PSMP-SAR needs the public's support to defray the cost of operation. If you want to support PSMP-SAR with your tax deductible donation, please mail to the address below.
PSMP-SAR is always looking for enthusiastic men and women willing to serve the community in a different and exciting way. Members of this dedicated organization are required to be at least 21 years of age, be able to pass a basic Arrest and Firearms certification course, pass an extensive background investigation, and be in good physical condition. Once accepted as a training member, you will be required to undergo an 18-month training period where your first aid, rope, helicopter, and other skills will be honed.
If you are interested in joining PSMP-SAR, you are welcome to attend a meeting. For the time and location of their next meeting, you may contact PSMP-SAR at (760) 778-8470, extension 2, or you may speak with an officer at our Village Fest booth on Thursday nights, downtown Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Mounted Police Search and Rescue
Department F
P.O. Box 226
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone (760) 778-8470
 Before you go hiking, check out these HIKING TIPS from the PSMP-SAR!
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