Team History

In the late 1940's, local horsemen would ban together to search for fellow cowboys and farmers who were either missing or injured in the back country of Ventura County. The local group was approached by the Sheriff of Ventura County and in 1948 "The Fillmore Search and Rescue Team" was formally organized and sanctioned by the Sheriff's Department. This made Fillmore the FIRST Search and Rescue Team in the County.

Most searches were conducted on horseback because of the rough terrain. In areas where vehicles could be utilized, the members would use their own four-wheel drive trucks. In the late 1950's the Sheriff's Department augmented these privately owned vehicles with surplus military four-wheel drive vehicles. On occasion, when horses could not access the victim, a helicopter would be contracted with Rotor Aids of Ventura. In the Early 1970's the Sheriff's Department formed its own Air Unit and Search and Rescue began to acquire newer vehicles and equipment, supplied by the Sheriff's Department.

A little more recent "Call-Out" activities list

Currently, The Fillmore Mountain Search and Rescue Team has members specializing in Search Management, Heavy Urban Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, Rope Rescue, Man Tracking, Cold Weather Rescue, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Off Road Motorcycle Rescue.

All Fillmore Search and Rescue Team Members must supply their own personal equipment such as uniforms, cold weather gear, rescue packs, etc. Members also donate countless hours in training and preparation, which takes away from family and work. All this to be consistently prepared because lives depend on it.