WEST responds to calls for the following emergency situations:

• Lost persons (in any terrain -- urban, wilderness, water)
• Rescues from caves, cliffs, and wilderness environments
• Wildfires

WEST maintains strict levels of training and readiness for these emergency situations and is prepared to respond to rescue calls nationwide although the majority of responses occur within a three-hour drive of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The Team is called by and conducts operations at the request of the proper authorities responsible for the particular emergency situation. WEST is alerted by the Lancaster County Emergency Dispatch Center which activates tone/voice pagers of Team Officers. WEST Team Members have an extensive alpha-numeric paging system which quickly alerts members as to the nature of the call and the response needed. WEST is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Professional Memberships and alliances include:

• National Association of Search & Rescue
• Pennsylvania Search & Rescue Council
• Mountain Rescue Association
• Tri-State Search and Rescue Alliance
• Lancaster County Rescue Task Force

The Team also maintains a formal agreement with the Bureau of Forestry of Pennsylvania for fire suppression response. Additionally, WEST works closely with local municipalities, police, fire departments, and other search and rescue (SAR) organizations throughtout the Mid-Atlantic region.

• Search (Land/Water): Search Managers, Field Team Leaders, Field Teams
• Rescue: Cave, Rope (All Levels)
• Medical: Emergency Medical Training (E.M.T.), Wilderness E.M.T., Paramedics
• Wildfire: Warden, Certified Forest Fire Crew
• Radio Communications: Highband & Lowband

Canine Support in search and rescue is a critical element. WEST maintains mutual aid agreements with the following organizations who are certified in K-9 Search and Rescue:

• Red Rose K-9 Search & Rescue
• Palisades Search & Rescue Dog Association
• West Jersey K-9 Search & Rescue

WEST Team Equipment includes: a Brush Truck, a Squad Utility Vehicle, a Search Boat, and a Portable Highband Repeater System. Team Members also maintain personal equipment inventories necessary for specialized outdoor rescues and wilderness search / survival.

Because WEST is a 501(C)(3), non-profit organization, it relies on funds generated through contributions and fundraisers, The organization is registered with all appropriate governmental agencies, and donations to WEST are completely tax-deductible.

We expect to work unreasonable hours in unreasonable conditions at no pay for our efforts. We spend vast amounts of energy and time in training for these special skills, so they may be available when needed.