In the United States, approximately 600,000 people go missing every year. In Marin County, with endless access to nature and inherent dangers, organizations such as Marin Search and Rescue (SAR) are essential to ensuring the safety of the community. Established in 1970, Marin SAR is a nonprofit organization composed of 130 youth and adult volunteers. They collaborate closely with the county sheriff’s office to search for missing people all over California, primarily in Marin. SAR volunteers perform various operations, such as looking for lost people, helping with an evidence search or leading a trail rescue.
With more than 600 miles of trails and 70 miles of coastline, Marin is the ideal place for a local backpacker to veer off a trail or for a windsurfer to get swept out to sea by a current. The Marin SAR team actively responds to alerts, averaging approximately 50 searches annually.
Calvin Tudor, a Redwood graduate, was a general member of Marin SAR and provided insight into the program’s dynamic of youth and adults.
“[It’s] inspiring because you’ll see youth members who are 16, being able to lead searches [and be] put in positions of power [to] make such a difference,” Tudor said.
The youth program is not just a fantastic learning experience but also provides vital assets to the SAR team. Michael St. John was a youth member in 1979 and is now a unit leader with an essential understanding of the impact of the youth members. He remarked on the importance of the youth’s involvement, noting a study done in 2020 that compared the outcome of rescues done by different parts of the team.
“Our number one finder of missing people [was] youth members. That is because they see better, hear better, don’t have bias and are much more open-minded,” St. John said.
This was displayed four years ago when 2020 Redwood graduate Quincy Webster found two senior citizens in West Marin. Lost for eight days, the couple was starving, dehydrated and hypothermic when Webster and another volunteer maneuvered through heavy brush to discover them lying on the shore of Tomales Bay. Webster ultimately saved their lives, using his youthful perseverance to search without letting up.
With its well-prepared team, Marin SAR is able to have a substantial impact in the area. Sal Muñoz, a SAR team leader, spoke about its effects on the local community.
“[SAR] oftentimes can reunite families [and] it’s able to bring closure to people. It brings peace of mind to people, knowing that we are around and we are willing to go out at two a.m. or nine a.m.,” Muñoz said.
The dedication of the SAR team is not to be taken lightly. Members dedicate vast amounts of time and effort to becoming trained, attending meetings and going on searches no matter the conditions. St. John remarked on the effects this dedication has on team members, specifically teens.
“One of the things that’s most rewarding for me is meeting somebody at 14 or 15, when they join the team, and seeing the impact that search and rescue has on their lives over the three or four years they are part of the team,” St. John said.
Because of the mutual dedication and commitment the members share, a tight-knit community is formed.
“In the times when things get intense, you’re brought very close together because you have to deeply trust everyone around you that they know what they’re doing. It brings you close together when you know what you’re doing is good,” Tudor said.
Marin SAR’s impact goes deeper than just providing support for the community. It has a profound impact on all team members, providing community, friendship and a sense of value.
“[Marin SAR] has impacted my life in so many more ways than I ever thought was possible,” Muñoz said.
Those interested in applying or donating can learn more at marinsar.org.
