Planning a hike?

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department suggests that you fill out a hiking plan before you go hiking.

TEAM

Mission Statement:

The Ventura County Sheriff Search and Rescue team, based in Upper Ojai, is a nonprofit, volunteer organization formed in 1951 to provide the Ventura County Sheriff's Department with a group of highly trained rescuers for the Ojai Valley. The Upper Ojai team is uniquely qualified to locate, render aid, and provide expedient services to persons in distress; to minimize loss of life, injury, and property damage; and to provide recovery services as needed ? always with concern for the safety of all parties. 

Ojai team members were involved in most all aspects of the rescue and recovery at the La Conchita Mud Slide	Swift Water Rescue La Canada Canyon - Ojai team members assist in the rescue of the occupants trapped in their pickup	Swift Water Rescue La Canada Canyon - Victims being helped to safety by members for the Upper Ojai SAR team	USAR Rescue La Conchita Mud Slide - Team members search with hands and shovels looking for victims.	Search and rescue helicopter and the Ojai team extracts homless victims from the Ventura River at the 101 freeway	Search and rescue copter flying away after dropping off the team at a recent training in Santa Paula Canyon

The Upper Ojai Ventura County Search and Rescue team consists of approximately 32 volunteers skilled in search and rescue operations in mountain, canyon and urban settings. The team volunteered a total of 3,138 hours, on searches, rescues and training 2006.

The Upper Ojai team provides assistance and support to the other county SAR teams and other agencies as requested and approved by the Ventura County Sheriff's department. The Upper Ojai team is capable of responding outside of Ventura County and has assisted is search and rescue operations in the throughout the State of California. Please examine our mission log to see what we've done recently in our community.

There are seven SAR teams throughout the County of Ventura. Three are mountain rescue teams, based in Upper Ojai, Fillmore and Thousand Oaks. The county also has a dive team for underwater rescues and recoveries, a medical team that provides medical aid, a posse and a canine team.

Information you should know...
If you plan on going in to the backcountry of Ventura County (or anywhere for that matter), please take the necessary precautions to insure your safety. Make sure you take a map of the area, as well as a compass or GPS, and be certain you understand land navigation. Be ready for any possible weather changes that may occur, take plenty of water, and let somebody know where you will be and what time you expect to be back.

Hiking Plan
The Ventura County Sheriff's Department suggests that you fill out the hiking plan on the above link to leave with someone when traveling in the back country. In the event of a mishap, leaving a plan will make it easier for rescue workers to get to the hiker.