Thirteen volunteers with the San Benito County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue unit have returned from the Camp Fire in Butte County where they helped with recovery efforts of victims, according to the agency in an announcement Saturday.
The search and rescue volunteers from San Benito County left Tuesday night for Butte County and Paradise, where about 150,000 acres had burned as of Sunday with a rising death toll.
The sheriff’s office received a request from the regional mutual aid office in Alameda County for help, and responded with the search and rescue unit. It is an all-volunteer unit of the agency.
“They had a list of mutual aid they’re requesting,” Capt. Eric Taylor with the sheriff’s office told San Benito Live on Wednesday. “Our contribution we’ll be able to step up and give is search and rescue personnel.”
Some members of the unit are retired, while others still have jobs and other obligations. He said the unit was asked to help with the recovery effort of decedents.He said the unit was asked to help with the recovery effort of decedents.
Taylor added that it was nice to send help since he’d noticed a connection of sorts between local residents and those in Butte County.
“There seems to be quite a connection between San Benito County and people up in Paradise,” Taylor said. “I’ve just seen it on social media that there seems to be quite a connection between our residents and the residents up there.”
Photo courtesy of the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office
Search and rescue team returns from Camp Fire
