SSAR is prepared to dispense aid regardless of the location of the incedent.

In addition to this milestone achievement, they have also received a generous donation from a Gold Canyon resident for equipment to outfit their expanding team. The addition of these graduates to their Urban Search and Rescue Team brings their total CERT trained membership to 25, with an additional 22 members currently in training.

A CERT Team is a nationally recognized volunteer emergency response team made up of individuals who have received specific training in disaster response. These individuals assist both local and national emergency responders in the event of a major disaster event.

The training these individuals receive is recognized by Homeland Security and FEMA and serves to equip the team members with the skills to determine what services are needed and what actions should be taken to provide the greatest good for the greatest number. Whether a disaster is man-made or natural, CERT teams are trained to mobilize immediately to save lives and offer immediate help to victims.  

Thanks to the dedication of their members, their partnership with the Apache Junction Police Department (AJPD) and the continued support from their community, SSAR will be one of the most well equipped urban rescue teams in the state and just a few steps shy of being recognized as a National Response Team, which can be called upon to assist in rescues across the country.  
While disaster preparedness is at the heart of the CERT program, the SSAR Urban Response Team will also use their skills to assist the AJPD and the community in other areas such as “cold cases”; lost children and adults; local emergencies and more. SSAR also continues to provide the community with their trademark wilderness rescue services.

The Apache Junction Police Department welcomes this additional help and values the partnership of such a well trained, nationally recognized Community Emergency Response Team.  “It is in times of emergencies when you need to draw on all available resources to help mitigate what has occurred. Having well trained, dedicated volunteers are a huge asset and valuable resource that any community can benefit from,” commented  AJ Chief of Police Jerald Monahan.  

Superstition Search and Rescue has assisted the Apache Junction Police Department in a number of missing person cases, including the case of the kidnapped two-year-old that occurred last year, with the result being a successful rescue and a long prison sentence for the offender.

Superstition Search and Rescue is a private volunteer service organization dedicated to wilderness and urban search and rescue in Arizona since 1981. The members are trained in urban rescue, CERT and are highly skilled in wilderness first aid, technical rescue and orienteering. SSAR operates a 24/7 emergency hotline at 480-620-0299 for those needing assistance.  

SSAR relies on donations from individuals and/or corporations and fund-raising activities to support the training and equipment they need to continue serving individuals who find themselves in situations in which they require assistance.

All donations are tax deductible and no matter what the amount, provide the group with valuable equipment and resources necessary to do their job - saving lives. To donate to Superstition Search & Rescue, send a check or money order payable to SSAR, P.O. Box 1123, Apache Junction, AZ 85217. For more information on SSAR or to make on online donation visit www.superstition-sar.org.