Rescue Five is a 2004 Ford F-550 diesel 4x4 chassis with a custom-built Westates rescue box. The major box structure was installed on the rails by Westates, but all finishing jobs were done in-house by the BCSAR team. This allowed us to customize the vehicle to our exact needs, building team camaraderie, and saving the team money. In 2008, a Reunel Bumper was built and installed with a Warn Power Plant winch and Air Compressor.

The team now has two Polaris Ranger All Terrain Vehicles. One comes with 4 X tracked hub assemblies for winter travel in the snow. Each Ranger can carry up to three passengers in front, and assorted gear and equipment in the rear. There are special attachment points for carrying a Stokes litter in the bed of the vehicle for patient transport, if needed. Assorted equipment includes a winch, HID lighting, VHF Radio, and a chainsaw.

In 2007, Butte County Search & Rescue was honored to receive a Tucker Snow Cat donated by Pacific Gas & Electric Company. BCSAR members spent several weekends customizing the machine to our needs. This included touching up paint on the body and blade, replacing numerous fluids and filters, installing a VHF public safety radio, and affixing our logo.

The Snow Cat is strategically located in Butte Meadows, ready to respond during the winter months to remote area rescues and searches in nearby Jonesville, Inskip, and Philbrook Lake areas. It can also be transported elsewhere in Butte County during emergencies. The Cat is stocked with emergency food, first-aid, and survival gear necessary for rescuers and victims to spend the night in a snowstorm.

Snow Cat Info:
1995 Tucker 1643 DRE8 Passenger Cab
Cummins Diesel 6-BTA 177 H.P. Engine
Allison AT-545 Automatic Transmission
50 Gallon Fuel Tank
8,000 Lb. Warn Winch
110w Kenwood VHF radio

2007 Argo Avenger. An 8-wheel drive, all-terrain tracked vehicle, the Argo is able to carry up to 6 passengers. It is our first response vehicle in extreme winter conditions with excellent capabilities in deep powder snow. Onboard equipment includes BLS Medical, food and survival sear, VHF Radio, Winch, Chain Saw and front mounted search light.

The inflatable was given to Search and Rescue by FEMA after the 1997 floods. It is ideal for flood operations and small stream or river rescues and recoveries. It can safely transport up to 4 persons it can be powered by a small outboard motor or battery-powered trolling motor.

Chevy Step Van. Primary vehicle on Searches. Has two laptops with mapping software. Printers, Scanner, office supplies. Cache of 12 Kenwood VHF radios. Portable Repeater. BLS Medical Gear. ICS Equipment. Honda 2000i Generator.

A military OH-58 Helicopter, it can carry three passengers plus pilot. H-1 is the backbone of the Sheriff's AirOps program and is able to perform aerial searches over land and water both night and day. It is the primary responder for Short Haul Helo Rescue for both land and water rescues during daylight hours. It is operational at all elevations in Butte County and is housed at Oroville Airport.

Search & Rescue has two jet boats which are outfitted to support Diving Accident Response Team (DART) operations, water search operations, static & dynamic water rescues, and equipment transport. With the numerous, lakes, rivers, and waterways in Butte County, these two workhorses get plenty of time on the water.

Searches for drowning victims are an unfortunate reality in our county with the numerous waterways and bodies of water. Our K9 boat is specially designed as a search platform for working K9 teams in pinointing the location of drowning victims. This former fishing boat was donated by a generous member of our community and has both gas and electric motors, which are necessary for rapid transport to scene and implementing slow, methodical search patterns for working the search dogs.

Support 1 is a Ford Expedition whos name says it all: It supports all SAR functions by transporting people, equipment, and towing trailers. It is equipped with a Stokes and BLS medical gear, and has aggressive Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires for winter travel.

Two Yamaha Waverunners used for both static and dynamic water rescue. Can carry one Swiftwater Rescue Tech and victim. Available all year round.