El Paso County ‘Search and Rescue’ team in-need of new equipment

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- The El Paso County Search and Rescue (ECSR) team says they're experiencing a gear shortage ahead of the winter rescue season.

The ECSR team is made up of 63 volunteers. The organization tells me the gear they need would help them reduce the number of hours it takes for them to rescue people who are stranded or injured. 

"We respond everywhere from the plains out east to up to the summit of pikes peak," Green said.

Kyle Green is part of ECSR. Since his start with the team, Green has helped rescue people who are lost in remote areas. 

"We have a pretty wide of missions we will be sent on. Anything from multiple day searches to find a missing individual too high technical high angled rescues for say a lost or fallen injured climber," Green said.

Last winter the team rescued and saved more than a dozen people in cold temperatures and this year they are prepared to do it again. 

"When our team deploys to go and help someone we are pretty much putting our lives on pause for six to seven hours," Green said.

But they need some new equipment because of the wear and tear. They need new break tubes. Those are what rescuers use to lower themselves when going down a mountain during a rescue.

The group is also seeking new ropes, heated blankets, and new chains for their heavy-duty trucks. 

"Often when our team gets called in to search or rescue someone it's often the worse day of this person's life and for us being able to be part of making that day just a little easier for that person is what drives us."

Now residents can help them get those life-saving tools. ECSR is one of five teams across the country, seeking a 25,000 donation and a new rescue car. 

They are asking for community members to take a survey, ranking them as your top choice to get the money. 

"That would be incredibly useful in making us more efficient and more effective," Green said.

For those who want to help the team, you can click here.