Chaffee County Search and Rescue North

A nonprofit organization

$3,262 raised by 16 donors

33% complete

$10,000 Goal

CCSAR-N proposes the creation of a seasonal Avalanche Beacon Training Park, accessible to the public and used regularly by CCSAR-N teams for advanced training. The system will include buried transmitters, a master control unit, and programmable rescue scenarios that replicate real avalanche burial patterns. Users will be able to practice transceiver searches, signal interpretation, pinpointing, probing techniques, and timed rescue drills.

This project will enhance community safety by:

  • Providing free public access to a self-guided training facility.
  • Strengthening the skills of CCSAR-N volunteers through realistic, scenario-based practice.
  • Supporting local avalanche-safety education programs and community outreach events.
  • Reducing response times and increasing survival likelihood for avalanche victims by improving companion-rescue proficiency.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 to:

  • Purchase beacon park hardware, transmitters, and control system units.
  • Prepare and develop a suitable site accessible to both the public and the CCSAR-N team.
  • Install educational signage and instructions for independent practice.
  • Provide ongoing maintenance and operational oversight to ensure reliability.
  • Integrate the beacon park into CCSAR-N’s annual training curriculum and public education programs.

Testimonials

Excerpt from a letter from Carol M after CCSAR-N saved her son from near certain death on a 13er near Cottonwood Lake (see main photo):

Last week you assisted in the rescue of my son at risk to your own lives. You are selfless, compassionate, determined, courageous heroes to me. During the night and early morning hours of the search, I prayed fervently for your safety as well as my son’s. I prayed that you would not give up until you found him. Every one of my prayers were answered.

A simple ‘thank you’ hardly seems adequate. This particular thank you comes from the depth of my soul. You all will be remembered at our family gatherings when we look into the face of my son and recall those who carried him down the mountain. The M Family will be forever grateful for your efforts to bring him home to us. Please know that there are many grateful people singing your praise in Colorado and Texas.

From a contribution letter from Bob and Marilyn B:

The selfless contributions of Chaffee County Search and Rescue is one of the essential services of our community. Not only do you save the lives of community members and visitors alike, you are essential to the identity of all who are proud to call this home.

Mission

Chaffee County Search and Rescue-North is a non-profit, all volunteer organization operating under the direction of the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office. Our mission is to provide search and rescue services, as well as outdoor safety education, at no cost to the public.

Background Statement

CCSAR-N was founded in 1964. We are 100% volunteer and do not charge for our services. All our funding comes from grants, contributions and fundraisers. We provide back county search and rescue in the northern 2/3 of Chaffee County, which has ten 14,000-foot mountains and ~700 square miles of public lands. We provide swiftwater rescue for the upper Arkansas, the most boated river in the state, and with the highest number of SAR incidents. We transport patients by various means, including rescue sled behind snowmobile or ATV, carried litter, boat, horse, SUV, snow cat and hike out to front country ambulances or to air ambulance landing zones. CCSAR-N has ~60 members. The number of missions vary from year to year, but 60 active call-outs per year is not uncommon.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Chaffee County Search and Rescue North

other names

CCSAR-N

Year Established

1964

Tax id (EIN)

27-1798410

Category

Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief

Organization Size

Small Organization

Address

2141 S Pleasant, PO Box 1671
BUENA VISTA, CO 81211

Service areas

Chaffee County, CO, US

Phone

719-581-9271

Social Media