Southern Arizona Rescue Association, (SARA), is a non-profit, all-volunteer search and rescue organization serving southern Arizona and Pima County since 1958. SARA members are volunteers from all walks of life, donating their time, skills and enthusiasm to provide a vital service to the public.

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SARA members receive extensive training in all aspects of search and rescue work including wilderness search, cave rescue, high-angle and technical rescue, swift water rescue, mine rescue, and outdoor safety education.  Members are also required to regularly recertify their medical qualifications and technical skills.
 

SARA typically responds to more than 100 search and rescue missions each year, representing more than 4,400 hours of volunteer time at no expense to taxpayers. Whether the mission is a technical cliff rescue or a multi-day search, day or night, whatever the weather, SARA members are on call. Members provide their own personal equipment; however, group assets such as SARA vehicles, radios, ropes and technical equipment are paid for entirely by donations made from individuals and corporations in the local community.
 

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SARA membership is open to anyone interested in helping to enhance public outdoor safety in southern Arizona. Field qualified members must be in good physical condition, attend and pass first aid and rescue training classes and provide their personal outdoor clothing and gear. All new members must complete medical/first aid training and SARA Basic search and rescue training prior to becoming field qualified. Complete training and medical certification can take up to ten months to complete.

For more information on how to join SARA, please visit the Join Us page of this website or contact us by mail or email at:

  Southern Arizona Rescue Association
  PO Box 12892
  Tucson, AZ  85732-2892
  SARAJoin @ sarci2.org

You can also learn more about SARA by attending one of our monthly meetings held at 7:30 pm on the first Friday of each month at the SARA House in Tucson, (click here for directions). Each meeting provides the opportunity to meet current SARA members, learn more about the organization, and get up-to-the-minute information on the current candidate application process.
 

Click here for information on 2009 New Candidate Events.

SARA also provides free public education presentations to both adult and child audiences upon request. SARA members are trained in the nationally acclaimed Hug-A-Tree system for teaching young children the essentials of outdoor safety and survival. Other programs are available for scouting groups, hiking clubs, parents groups, hunters and off-road enthusiasts.

To request a SARA safety presentation anywhere in southern Arizona, please call (520) 295-4555. Leave a message with your group contact person's name and telephone number and a SARA member will return the call.

 Thank you for your interest in Southern Arizona Rescue Association.