Long Beach Search and Rescue

Long Beach Search and Rescue is a specialist Explorer post of the Learning for Life program with the Boy Scouts of America. It is an urban search and rescue unit based out of Long Beach, California, and is sponsored by the Long Beach Police Motor Patrol Association and Long Beach Firefighters' Associations.

On January 10, 2007, Long Beach Search and Rescue was inspected by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and was designated as a Level II — Medium rescue resource, the only known all-volunteer unit to receive this designation. This is a designation that most professional fire departments do not have.

History

In 1962, the Long Beach Police Department assigned Long Beach Police Motor Patrol Officer Dick Johansen to start Long Beach Search and Rescue as a place for young adults interested in law enforcement. The unit soon grew to become a place for those interested in firefighting and other emergency services as well.

In 1971, Long Beach Search and Rescue was called to assist in rescue and recovery operations at the VA Hospital in Sylmar, California after it collapsed during the Sylmar Earthquake.

Originally located in a building at the Long Beach Airport, Long Beach Search and Rescue was permanently moved to its current home on the grounds of the Long Beach Fire Training Center in the mid-1980s.

Over the last 40+ years, members have contributed a total of more than 500,000 hours assisting the fire and police departments and their community. The unit has been on national television, including a close up in the pilot episode of the 1972 hit show, "Emergency!" They have also been featured on the news and in newspapers.