Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Veteran volunteers are quitting the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office search and rescue program just as it is trying to expand into urban areas.
The volunteers are quitting over a proposal to train paid deputies to play a larger role in wilderness search and rescue efforts.
Last week, 10 members, or one-third of the volunteer mountain rescue team, quit.
In part, their resignation letters say that including law enforcement and emergency responders who aren't experienced in search and rescue techniques could compromise the safety of the team and those needing help.
Sheriff Jim Winder says deputies who patrol the canyon need the additional rescue training so they'll be prepared in an emergency.
Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
