The Four Wheel Drive team is organized as a part of Placer County’s Search and Rescue Department and consists of fourteen team members (2003).  Each of the team members is required to own and maintain their own vehicle with full off-road capabilities.

In order to be prepared for search and rescue deployment, each team member is required to successfully complete the 120 hour SAR Technician training programming including team specific refresher courses, demonstrate off-road driving skills and attend team meetings and field training exercises.  Many of the team members have advanced their training to include Paramedic and EMT certifications.

When deployed, the team provides a variety of primary and secondary support functions to the search and rescue mission.  Primary functions include urban searches, wilderness searches in rough terrain, as well as provide “hasty searches” while other SAR units are organizing and awaiting area assignments.  Some of the secondary support functions include the transporting of other units to and from remote areas, transportation of the victim, the movement of equipment and material to remote areas and the establishment and manning of repeater communication equipment to facilitate long distance searches and communications within other units.  As an integral part of the County’s Search and Rescue team, the Four Wheel Drive team will also provide additional support to the Ground team in the execution of its mission.

The team is organized under the leadership of a Team Leader, Assistant Team Leader, Secretary/Treasurer and Safety/Training Officer.  All positions are elected from within and by members of the team.

The team meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 18:30.  Contact team leader

Brian Hadley email brian_johanna@yahoo.com for further information.