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Ready for the 2021 Victorville Christmas Parade. See you along the route!!! #volunteer #soothersmaylive #vvsar #sbsar
Victor Valley Search and Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer organization of people who give their time freely. We are on call 24/7, 365 days a year to respond, search for and rescue persons at the request of, and on behalf of the Sheriff of San Bernardino County.![]()
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During this holiday season, and year around if you like, you can support our efforts simply by shopping on Amazon at their smile.amazon.com site and selecting ‘Victor Valley Search & Rescue No 21 2” as your charity. The donation we receive does not cost you anything, just the time it takes you to make the one time selection at the smile.amazon.com page.![]()
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Thank you for your support, Happy thanksgiving!
Winter is coming...![]()
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Dressing for survival - Why We Say “Cotton Kills”![]()
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This is an excellent article that explains the risk of wearing cotton in cold or subfreezing temperatures.![]()
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www.adk.org/why-we-say-cotton-kills/
www.adk.org
The phrase “cotton kills” is an old adage in outdoor recreation circles. Though it might sound dramatic, this statement is actually supported by science. Cotton greatly increases the risk of hypothermia for outdoor recreators because a) it absorbs significantly more water than other fabrics, and...
ROV training this past weekend was a success. Having the majority of our team members certified is key to maintaining a fully mission ready team!!
Yes, let’s talk about it...Thank you Alpine Rescue TeamLet’s talk about the viral post advising folks to change their voicemail when lost and low on cell phone battery power or their phone is dead. Posts like this get your attention, get liked by people who don't know better, are shared by folks trying to be helpful, and the algorithm spreads it like wildfire.![]()
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1. Without a signal (connection to the cell system) YOU CAN'T CHANGE YOUR VOICEMAIL. The voicemail system resides with your cell provider. To change your outgoing message, you have to CALL into your voicemail and then navigate the menus, record a new greeting, confirm the new greeting, etc. YOU CANNOT DO THIS WITH NO SIGNAL.![]()
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2. If your battery is low do not waste its power by calling your voice mail—or a friend or relative. Call 9-1-1 for help.![]()
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3. If you have no signal, text for help to 9-1-1. Many, if not most, 9-1-1 centers can receive a text.![]()
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4. Text takes much less power, is far more likely to get through, will automatically retry many times if you have spotty service, leaves record others can see and can give you an indication that it got thru. BTW, because of the automatic retries, you can compose and hit send on a text and then get your phone as high as possible to improve the chances of getting the message out.![]()
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5. Stay put. Okay, if you're lost or broken down and you've called for help (assuming you have signal and battery) please stay in one location—UNLESS YOU MUST MOVE FOR SAFETY REASONS. Changing your location makes our job more difficult. Trying to reach someone whose GPS location we have (within a circle, of course) is faster for us than trying to nail down a moving target. STAY PUT.![]()
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6. Maximize battery life. In order to make the battery last longer, turn off everything you do not need. Close all apps. Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth. Don't use your cell phone as a GPS/map device and especially do not use the compass if your phone has one -- the compass feature in some phones is a serious battery drain. Pull out your map and compass and/or use a dedicated GPS unit. You may be instructed, by text, to turn your phone off and text back at a specific time. Also, keep your phone just a little warm with some body heat or a handwarmer. ![]()
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Thank you to J.E. Bloodgood, who posted the meat of this information on Colorado 14ers!
If we’re not on a mission, we’re training. If we’re not training or getting certified in a new skill, we’re getting re-certified to keep our skills sharp. First Aid and CPR day for some members of the team. #vvsar #sbsar #volunteer #soothersmaylive
Search efforts concluded yesterday with the discovery of human remains. The identification process is underway.Update: Human remains located in Yucca Valley; identification process underway![]()
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DATE/TIME: July 31, 2021/ 6:00 a.m. ![]()
INCIDENT: Missing Person/ Search warrant service/ Case update ![]()
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LOCATION: 8600 block of Benmar Trail, Yucca Valley ![]()
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MISSING PERSON: Lauren Cho, 30-year-old female, resident of New Jersey ![]()
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UPDATE: October 10, 2021 ![]()
On Saturday, October 9, 2021, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department conducted an additional search and rescue operation in the ongoing search for Lauren Cho, who was reported missing on June 28, 2021. During the search, unidentified human remains were located in the rugged terrain of the open desert of Yucca Valley. The remains were transported to the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Division where staff will work to identify the remains and determine a cause of death. The identification process could take several weeks. No further information will be released until the identity of the deceased has been confirmed. ![]()
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UPDATE: September 21, 2021 ![]()
Investigators with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s, Specialized Investigations Division are assisting the Morongo Basin Station in the effort to locate Lauren Cho. Investigators are investigating all leads and working with family and friends of Ms. Cho. Future search operations will occur as further leads develop. ![]()
Anyone with information regarding the search for Ms. Cho is urged to contact Detective Edward Hernandez or Sergeant Justin Giles, Specialized Investigations Division, at (909) 387-3589. You may remain anonymous by contacting the We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or www.wetip.com. ![]()
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SUMMARY: On Saturday, July 31, 2021, at 6:00 a.m., detectives assigned to the Morongo Basin Station and Search and Rescue members executed a search warrant in the 8600 block of Benmar Trail in Yucca Valley. During the search warrant service seven canines searched the last known location where Cho was seen and surrounding unincorporated areas for evidence. On July 24, 2021, Sheriff's Department fixed wing aircraft conducted aerial searches of the remote mountain terrain near the scene. Ongoing search efforts continue with future operations planned as further leads are developed in the investigation. ![]()
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Cho has been missing since June 28, 2021, at approximately 5:10 p.m., when she reportedly walked away from the residence where she was staying in the 8600 block of Benmar Trail. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Detective Shaunna Ables at the Morongo Basin Station at (760)366-4175. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com. ![]()
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Refer: Shaunna Ables, Detective ![]()
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Station: Morongo Basin Station ![]()
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Phone No. (760)366-4175 ![]()
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Case No. 092101115 H#2021-114 ![]()
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SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner ![]()
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Investigators are still chasing leads about Lauren Cho![]()
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Cho walked away from a home in Yucca Valley on June 28 and has been missing since.
Where Is Lauren Cho? Fresh Interest in Search on Heels of Gabby Petito Case
www.nbclosangeles.com
The search for Lauren Cho, a 30-year-old New Jersey woman who went missing in Southern California’s Yucca Valley at that tail end of June, has garnered fresh interest after the widespread coverage and unfortunate outcome of the Gabby Petito case.
Great news, please note the details and continued fire restrictions.The San Bernardino National Forest, with some exceptions, will reopen on Thursday, September 23. We are thankful that overall fire activity in California has decreased, allowing more of our firefighters to return to their home forest. ![]()
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It's important to note, however, that fire restrictions will remain in effect. Open-flame campfires and BBQs, smoking and target shooting, among other activities, will continue to be prohibited.![]()
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Upon reopening, staff will begin taking down closure signs and reopening gates as fast as possible. Patience is appreciated during this process if some areas appear to still be closed on Thursday. ![]()
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Two foothill areas, however, will remain closed for public safety. Both of these sit in areas with dry vegetation where fires can move rapidly under current conditions:![]()
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- Closed to all traffic, including pedestrians: City Creek Road (1N09) between Hwy 330 and Bear Creek, Alder Creek Road (1N16) and Santa Ana Road (1N13) to limit visitors becoming entrapped on these mid-slope roads. Additionally, illegal target shooting has been rampant in this area despite fire restrictions, signage and law enforcement presence.![]()
- Closed to vehicles: Big Tree Cucamonga Road (1N34), a 12-mile mid-slope road that is one-way-in, one-way-out.![]()
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Other areas where long-term closures were previously in place, such as the El Dorado and Apple fire burn scars, will remain closed. The one change will be the area around Lytle Creek, which was closed due to the 819-acre South Fire (100% contained) in late August; that closure area will reopen Thursday.![]()
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As always, visitors are encouraged to "know before you go" by direct messaging us or calling ranger stations to check on the open status of specific recreation facilities, such as campgrounds, which are beginning to close for the season. Thank you!