Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, December 22, 2018

HaPPY HANUKKAH, Merry Christmas, HAPPY KWANZAA 

from your Mountain Views News Family!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2018

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY


A MESSAGE FROM SIERRA MADRE SEARCH AND RESCUE


Dear Friends and Neighbors,

For 67 years, the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team 
has answered the call whenever someone is lost or 
injured in the local mountains. After all this time, the 
Team is still serving the local community by providing 
wilderness search and rescue services free of charge to 
all those in need.

And we close 2018 by thanking you for your continued 
support! This year we conducted almost 90 search and 
rescue operations during the first 11 months of this 
year – all at no cost to the victim or taxpayers. In the 
course of these rescues, we have aided more than 100 
people and their families. 

Sierra Madre Search and Rescue is the primary search 
and rescue agency for our local mountains, responsible 
for the foothill areas stretching from Pasadena to 
Duarte. The Team also assists our neighboring teams 
in Los Angeles County and participates in large-scale 
searches in National Parks and other counties such as 
Santa Barbara, Riverside, and San Bernardino, when 
requested.

Notable search and rescue operations during the year, 
included:

•A 24-hour search in the Monrovia Canyon area for a 
local man who lost the trail 

•A technical rescue of two friends who were stuck on a 
steep cliff on the south side of Jones Peak

•Two multi-agency searches in Santa Barbara and 
Riverside Counties in the aftermath of mudslides

 In addition to our activities in wilderness areas, the 
Team also assisted the Sierra Madre Police Department 
in locating a missing city resident with Alzheimer’s and 
assisted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
with evacuations during the recent fires in Malibu.

 The Team is made up entirely of volunteers who are 
on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in order to 
provide these life-impacting services. Our members 
are certified Emergency Medical Technicians and 
are trained experts in a variety of mountain rescue 
techniques such as high-angle rope rescue, search 
tactics, snow and ice travel, and wilderness navigation.

 All of our team members share a passion for helping 
others in their time of need, no matter the hour, the 
distance required, or the weather.

Who are our members?

Our Team is composed of educators, nurses, doctors, 
engineers, and the self-employed. If you, or someone 
you know, has a passion for the outdoors and a desire 
to help those lost or injured in the mountains, we ask 
you to consider joining the next training class. To 
learn more about how to join the Team, please visit 
the recruiting page at www.smsr.org. We are always 
accepting applications for future training classes.

 The current training class includes seven members 
who began their 18-month mountain rescue training 
course this summer. Each week, the probationary 
members train to prepare for the mountain rescue 
field exams, after which they enter their EMT training 
program. Additionally, all team members meet at least 
twice per month to train and keep their skills sharp.

 One of the team’s founding mandates is to prevent 
rescues through mountain safety education.

 In addition to the more than 17,000 
hours donated by our team members 
this year during search, rescue, and 
training activities, our volunteers 
also provided free wilderness safety 
education to the public, training more 
than 1000 children and adults this 
year alone.

 We provide free training and preparation for the Boy 
Scouts’ SAR merit badge, as well as present the free 
Hug-A-Tree and Survive program for children. If you 
are interested in scheduling a presentation for your 
school or community group, please email us at pr@
smsr.org.

 We could not do any of this without your support!

 Sierra Madre Search and Rescue is not funded by tax 
dollars or government funds, and we never charge a 
victim or their family. Every life we save is the direct 
result of generous donations from people like you. 
Your donations provide the ropes, splints, gasoline, 
and the training that get the job done.

 Thank you again for your support! We hope you have 
a safe and happy holiday season.

Sincerely, Barbara Fortini, Team President 

JOIN OUR TEAM. LIVE THE DREAM.

LACoFD Seeks to Fill Vacant Positions for Fire Fighter Trainee/
Paramedics

Last week, the Los Angeles County Fire Department posted 
an exam bulletin for a priority recruitment of paramedics. This 
specific exam is only for applicants who already have a valid, non-
probationary paramedic license, issued by the California Emergency 
Medical Services Authority. Applicants must also have 12 months of 
experience as a paramedic running 9-1-1 calls.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department will begin accepting 
applications for this priority paramedic recruitment beginning 
Monday, January 7, 2019.

 Additionally, in the spring of 2019, a second exam will be offered 
to all those interested in applying for Fire Fighter Trainee. The 
Fire Fighter Trainee exam will require applicants to have a valid 
Emergency Medical Technician Certificate, issued by the National 
Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. 

 Both exams will assist the Los Angeles County Fire Department 
in filling critical firefighter paramedic and firefighter vacancies to 
sustain the necessary level of emergency staffing in the communities 
we serve.

 “We are pleased to officially begin the process of recruiting new 
team members who will join us in in carrying out our daily mission 
of protecting lives and property in the communities we serve,” 
said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby. “While we 
anticipate this exam will be competitive, we commend applicants 
for embarking on this exciting journey towards a rewarding 
career as a Los Angeles County firefighter – a career that provides 
fulfillment, purpose, and excitement.”

 Information regarding both exams can be found by visiting the 
Department’s Fire Fighter Trainee/Paramedic and Fire Fighter 
Trainee Exam Information webpage at http://www.fire.lacounty.
gov/be-a-firefighter/recruitment-exam.

SANTA ANITA PARK 
& MATHIS BROTHERS 
FURNITURE TEAM TO 
DONATE $10,000 IN 
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS 
ON OPENING DAY, 
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 26


ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 17, 2018)—The eyes of the 
racing world will be upon Santa Anita Park for its 
82nd annual Winter Meet opening day on Wednesday, 
Dec. 26, and in addition to world class racing, The 
Great Race Place and Mathis Brothers Furniture will 
team to donate $10,000 in college scholarships. 

 Based in Oklahoma, Mathis Brothers Furniture, 
which is family-owned, with a major retail outlet in nearby Ontario, 
has been a tremendous supporter of Thoroughbred racing and 
philanthropic causes for many years. 

 With first post time for a blockbuster 10-race program (that 
includes the Grade II, $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile) at 11:30 
a.m., Santa Anita will provide free Club House Admission to all 
college students with a current student I.D. and along with Mathis 
Brothers, will tender a total of four (4) $2,500 college scholarships 
which will be given away throughout the day. 

 All currently enrolled college students are encouraged to enter for 
a chance to be selected via a random draw at any one of three official 
sweepstakes entry tables, located at three different admission gates; 
the East Admission Gate, adjacent to the Club House East Gate, 
the South Admission Gate, next to the Jockeys’ Room and the 
Infield Thoroughbreds Club Center, next to the center fountain. 
Upon presentation of valid student ID, each student will receive 
an official sweepstakes entry card along with one Club House 
admission pass. 

 Students may also enter in advance of opening day at santaanita.
com/college. Online entries must be made prior to 4 p.m. PT on 
Dec. 20. 

 Random drawings to select four College Scholarship finalists will 
be held in the Paddock Gardens at 1:15 p.m. PT. Eligible students 
must be present to win. 

 All fans will receive a beautiful 2019 Santa Anita Wall Calendar 
free, with paid admission on opening day and Mathis Brothers 
Furniture will also provide a plush Thoroughbred toy free to the 
first 4,000 kids 12 and under when accompanied by an adult with 
paid admission. 

 Mathis Brothers will also provide 10,000 one hundred dollar gifts, 
to be given away free on opening day, with paid admission. (A 
minimum Mathis Brothers Furniture purchase is required). 

 For more information on Santa Anita’s Winter Meet opening day, 
please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE. 

 

ABOUT SANTA ANITA PARK 

Santa Anita Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s 
leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach 
Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & 
Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and 
Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The 
company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center 
in Florida, and is one of North America's top race horse breeders 
through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach 
Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering 
systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, 
a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet 
and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content 
Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of 
horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and 
wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is North America's premier 
supplier of virtual online horseracing games, as well as a leading 
producer of social media content for the horseracing industry. 


Correction: Last week the photo above was not labeled.

"On Election Night, retired LASD Commander Ray Leyva stopped 
by Paco's to visit Assembly Candidate, Burt Brink, "Good Luck". Ray 
was appointed as the new Undersheriff.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com