Grand County Search and Rescue recognized several of its members in December.
Paul Collins, the equipment captain and search and rescue member since 2009, was named “Member of the Year” for 2013.
“Paul put out a lot of effort in the last couple of years helping better organize equipment maintenance and documentation, and then getting that work done,” said Jim Webster, the commander of Grand County Search and Rescue. “He also was a driving force in the field training program for new members. His prior experience with Tooele County SAR has helped our organization, and his work here will carry on. This award is overdue.”
Jerry Harris was recognized as the “Rookie of the Year” for 2013.
“Jerry is already a great asset and valuable team member. He is strong, smart, works well with others and has come in having taken rescue courses offered in Castle Valley,” Webster said.
Frank Mendonca, who is now the training officer and has been a search and rescue member since 1992, was given the “Commander’s Award” in recognition of his work as a driving force in developing the organization’s Certification Standards manual.
“Grand County Search and Rescue has worked on developing standards for several years now. As a group, our officers developed the ideas for the standards from accepted best practices, but Frank put them together into one cohesive, logical format,” Webster said. “His writer and editor skills match his search and rescue skills, which is to say, they are outstanding.”
Over the last two years, the Utah Sheriff’s Association has also been developing certification standards for search and rescue statewide. Grand County Search and Rescue’s standards were modified for statewide use and were recently approved by the Sheriffs of Utah.
This is only the second time that the Commander’s Award has been given.
David and Barbara Fincham decided to “retire” from search and rescue at the end of 2013, after having volunteered for over ten years. They were given plaques honoring their service at the end of the year banquet.
“Dave and Barb have given a lot to our community and to our visitors through their dedicated service to Grand County Search and Rescue,” said Grand County Sheriff Steve White. “Over twenty years between them has amounted to many days – and nights – disrupted by the pager; many hours spent hiking or riding ATVs, providing care to people in need.”
Grand County’s Search and Rescue standards modified for state use
“Dave and Barb have given a lot to our community and to our visitors through their dedicated service to Grand County Search and Rescue.”
