Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, February 2, 2019

SIERRA MADRE SEARCH AND RESCUE (continued from page 1)

At monthly team meetings the entire team also invests the time to critique every operation. 
Sometimes small details are honed through critiques. After rescuing a subject who became 
stuck on a steep slope when wandering off trail, the team noted that the rescue at this location 
was best executed with a 300 foot rope. It is now standard practice to take a 300 foot rope 
with one of the first crews in the field when responding to this location. 

 Other times larger patterns are discovered. This year the team noticed an increase in calls 
to assist stranded hikers in the Jones Peak area. As a result, the members dedicated time 
training in the area. They used a drone to capture images of the difficult terrain and spent 
time in the field specifically evaluating how to best effect future rescues in the area. 

 There is a lot to reflect on in 2018 but SMS&R is also looking to the future. With winter 
upon us the team is dedicating much of its training efforts in the next few months to winter 
operations. 

 Responding to calls in the snow and ice requires a distinct set of skills. Rescuers must 
know how to travel safely and effectively with snowshoes and crampons. They must be able 
to evaluate snow and avalanche conditions and be proficient in using their ice axes to arrest 
a fall on an icy slope if needed. Team members wear avalanche beacons and know how to 
respond if a teammate is caught in an avalanche. They are prepared to spend snowy nights 
camped out in the field if the need arises. 

 Patients also require unique care in the winter. From the way they are warmly packaged 
in a litter designed for use in the snow, to the techniques used to haul the litter out by pulling 
it across the snow, winter requires its own specific skills.

 SMS&R has dedicated three weekends in January and February to honing these skills. A 
large portion of every team member’s time is spent in training. Over the course of 2018 the 
team accrued 12,115 hours of training. Including all of their training, operations and other 
activities the team accumulated 18,295 hours of service.

 Sierra Madre Search and Rescue is an all volunteer organization that is completely funded 
by donations. No fees are ever charged for their services. If you would like to support the 
work that they do, visit smsr.org to make a donation. If you are interested in becoming a 
team member, visit the Recruiting page at smsr.org. 

2

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Mountain View News Saturday, February 2, 2019 

 
Weather Wise


6-Day Forecast Sierra Madre, Ca.

 Sun Rain Hi 50s Lows 40s 

 Mon: Showers Hi 50s Lows 40s

 Tues: Showers Hi 50s Lows 40s

 Wed: Sunny Hi 50s Lows 40s

 Thur: Sunny Hi 60s Lows 40s

 Fri: Sunny Hi 60s Lows 40s

Forecasts courtesy of the National Weather Service

SIERRA MADRE CITY MEETINGS

 

CALENDAR 

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings listed below are held at 
City Hall 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, Ca. 

626-355-7135

CITY COUNCIL

February 12, 2019 at 6:30pm

February 26, 2019 at 6:30pm

PLANNING COMMISSION 

February 3rd, 2019 at 7:00pm

February 21st, 2019 at 7:00pm

 COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMISSION 

February 18th, 2019 at 6:30 pm CANCELLED

February 25th. 2019 at 6:30pm SPECIAL MEETING

March 18th, 2019 at 6:30pm

SENIOR COMMUNITY COMMISSION 

February 7th, 2019 at 3:00pm 

March 7th, 2019 at 3:00pm

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

February 27th, 2019 at 7:00pm

March 27th, 2019 at 7:00pm

ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND NATURAL 
RESOURCE COMMISSION 

February 20th, 2019 at 7:00 pm

March 20th, 2019 at 7:00 pm

April 17th, 2019 at 7:00 pm 

Can’t make it to the meeting, but still want to share your 
thoughts? You can mail or drop off a written statement to City 
Hall or email city@cityofsierramadre.com before 30 the night 
of the meeting and your statement will be delivered to all the 
Council Members.Sierra Madre City Hall 232 W. Sierra Madre 
Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA 91024 (626) 355-7135 

JOIN US FOR LUNCH

KIWANIS CLUB OF 

SIERRA MADRE

Since 1927!

We meet every Tuesday at Noon

33 E Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra 
Madre

OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE 
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

Lunch Begins at Noon and costs $10 - 

Programs begin at 12:30 and are free!

FOR LUNCH RESERVATIONS 

PLEASE CALL: 626-688-2273


1630 AM EMERGENCY RADIO & 

Free on-air publicity for local events

 Sierra Madre’s EMERGENCY radio station is now accepting scripts 
for Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about community events. 
PSAs will be broadcast on the air at no charge. The station operates 
24/7 and can be heard at 1630 on the AM dial.

 Any local non-profit or non-commercial organization can have their 
event information broadcast to the public on Sierra Madre Community 
Information Radio. The station covers the city of Sierra Madre, plus 
surrounding areas of Pasadena, Arcadia, and Monrovia. 

Your event must:

• Benefit a non-commercial or non-profit entity
• Be open to the public
• Be of general interest to local citizens


Just 
write a Public Service Announcement that describes your event 
and e-mail it to radio@cityofsierramadre.com. 


Do you have to many books at home? Wondering 
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trade them in for a book you have not read.
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your reading pleasure.
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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