The South Lake Tahoe arm of the El Dorado County Search and Rescue team is looking for volunteers.

Applicants must be 18 years or older.

While the primary focus is backcountry response, no special skills are necessary to join.

Candidate training academy prepares volunteers to safely execute a wide variety of missions. The academy includes search theory, lost person behavior, helicopter operations, man tracking, GPS/land navigation, wilderness survival and downed aircraft/emergency locator transmitters.

After initial training, volunteers have the opportunity to participate in specialized teams including technical rope rescue, alpine mountaineering, Nordic rescue, snowmobile/off highway vehicle team, swift/still water rescue and incident command.

South Lake Tahoe teams respond to an average of 65 calls annually. In 2012, the team provided emergency response to approximately 140 victims.

Volunteers are also needed in non-fielding roles, with a focus on planning, operations, logistics and administrative support.

For more information, contact El Dorado County sheriff’s Deputy Greg Almos at (530) 573.3058.