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Search and Rescue is challenging, rewarding, and ever changing. We are a team of professional volunteers, and the team is what we all make it together. Successful candidates are those who take an active role in their learning and training.
Prospective candidates must attend a pre-academy orientation.
Two dates are available (you only need to attend one)
October 9, 2025 - 6:00PM
January 8, 2026 - 6:00PM
You must attend an orientation before applying.
2026 Academy Application, available Jan 1, 2026
Our academy runs late February through mid April. The academy consists of:
- A pre-academy field exercise with candidate interviews and training demonstrations.
- Seven Wednesday evening classroom sessions
- Three Saturday field training exercises
- The academy final.
Wednesday evening sessions are in Redwood City from 6:30PM to 9:30PM.
Locations for the pre-academy, field training sessions, and academy final will be announced prior to each training. These trainings take place at various county or state parks throughout San Mateo County. The pre-academy and Saturday field trainings are "all day," times vary slightly depending on the training. The academy final includes a mock search on Saturday, followed by an overnight, finishing Sunday late morning.
Academy graduates are considered senior trainees and are field ready. Graduates are eligible to respond to in-county searches and events. During this time trainees complete a number of post-academy sign-offs, demonstrating their training in the field. Graduates will be monitored for participation level and continued education before submitting for background check and becoming fully sworn members.
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