The Search & Rescue Medical Team originated in 1978 as the Medical Advisory Board and was led by a few adventurous emergency physicians from Los Robles and Ventura County Medical Centers.  Today, the SAR Medical Team is comprised of approximately 25 Ventura County paramedics and emergency physicians and nurses that volunteer their time to staff our rescue helicopters 7 days a week. We provide Advanced Life Support emergency care aboard the Aviation Unit helicopters and respond to EMS, rescue, law enforcement, and disaster calls throughout the county.  Many of our calls are in remote, backcountry locations where we may be the only medical personnel able to access a victim. While our Sheriff and Fire Department crew chiefs are primarily responsible for the rescue component of such calls, we are all trained to perform basic rescue evolutions including hoist, hover-load, water, and night operations. Our team provides a unique opportunity for emergency medical personnel to venture outside the confines of the ambulance and hospital setting and challenge our skills out in the field.