Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue
Year End Report for 2008
Without the generous support from individual donors and foundational gifts Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue (FoYOSAR) would have been unable to have had such a successful year providing critical support for the Yosemite Search and Rescue. Thank you.
- Tuolumne SAR Cache upgrade – FoYOSAR prioritized the improvement of the SAR facilities in Tuolumne to bring them in line with the Valley. Thanks primarily to a generous donation from Mr Paul Pinsky, funding was identified and allocated. FoYOSAR board members volunteered time to complete the necessary planning and compliance paperwork for an addition to the existing Tuolumne SAR cache. Under the capable construction management of Greg Loniewski the extension was built over the summer, doubling the space available for SAR operations. The new room has provided individual lockers for SAR members to stage their equipment at the cache, dramatically improving response times and providing secure space for operations.
- Tuolumne SAR Site - Tuolumne SAR siters requested financial support to buy the materials to make tent platforms for the SAR site. The site has been showing wear and tear over the last few years leading to pooling of water during rain showers. The new modular, mobile platforms raise the tent floors off the ground and will allow restoration and repair to the area over the next season.
- SAR Member Insurance stipend - the FoYOSAR Board reviewed a proposal to offer a health insurance stipend for SAR siters during their seasonal commitments. The Board approved a $100-a-month stipend for each SAR team member living on the designated SAR site in the Valley or Toulumne. Many of the SAR siters who took advantage of this offer had not had coverage for many years. During operations and missions members are covered under workers compensation, but for their off time, many SAR siters are unable to secure health insurance. The experience and knowledge that makes the SAR siters valuable is gained outside of the job – and this is when the coverage is so vital. The importance of this was underlined this summer when a Valley SAR siter suffered a serious injury requiring helicopter evacuation within days of acquiring health insurance for the first time in more than ten years! The costs associated with this rescue would have been financially crippling for the individual – fortunately he was covered and has made a full recovery.
- Training Grants - SAR team members received funds for Paramedic, EMT and WFR trainings. Additionally SAR team members received scholarships from the sponsoring groups to attend technical rock rescue and swift-water rescue workshops. Thank you Rigging for Rescue and Sierra Rescue.