The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Off-Highway Vehicle team’s season on the Rubicon Trail has already been busy.

During Memorial Day weekend 510 people and 204 vehicles were contacted. Deputies provided assistance to four people, two of those were vehicle rollovers. Ten warnings were issued, but no citations or arrests.

The team consists of a sergeant, one full-time seasonal deputy and eight part-time deputies. The team is funded in part by California Off-Highway Motor Vehicular Recreation Commission, California Green Sticker Fees, and SMUD. They patrol in two, marked, Jeep Wranglers with specialized equipment to deal with medical emergencies, vehicle rollovers, rugged off-road travel, and overnight stays on the trails. This is year 15 of the program.

Deputies Tony Broadfoot and Jeremiah Hamon received advanced medical training and recently attended Wilderness First Responder School specifically designed to prepare them to provide aid during emergencies in remote areas.

The mission of the OHV team is to provide education to the public, maintain the family friendly atmosphere and when necessary, use enforcement to support that education.  The deputies will spend their time encouraging trail users to use the trail safely and in such a way that the trail is protected from environmental damage. Alcohol violations will be strictly enforced.

All vehicles on the Rubicon Trail need to be currently registered or  “green stickered”( designated as off-highway).