Pennington County Search and Rescue is hosting a recruitment event to find volunteers who want to join its organization.
The group, which also goes by the name PCSAR, is a nonprofit, all-volunteer team that was formed in response to the deadly 1972 flood that swept through Rapid City.
Tiana Ude is an Assistant Team Leader of Administration for PCSAR. She said the organization has expanded its services since its inception in the '70s.
"Search and rescue in Pennington County was formed to be able to respond to events such as things like floods," Ude said. "But we have now gone into, not only search and rescue, but also extrication and rope rescue, and other things that are necessary to help within the county and community."
On average, Pennington County Search and Rescue responds to around 120 calls per year.
“A lot of times we get called for someone's worst day. And whether it's a hurt ankle out in the Hills, an ATV crash – all sorts of things that we get called for – we're the ones that show up and help them get out of the situation that they're in," said Ude. "And that in itself is very rewarding. And that is why those of us that are on the team enjoy doing what we're doing, and giving back as much as we can.”
Pennington County Search and Rescue is hosting a recruitment open house on Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at 140 E. Main St. N. in Rapid City.
