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Author: Michaela

2024 – In Review

2024 – In Review

This past year has been a transformative journey for Pecos Valley Public Services. We began 2024 as a recognized Search & Rescue (SAR) organization in the State of New Mexico. However, after facing challenges with community services and the inability to self-activate for local emergencies, we made the difficult decision to voluntarily withdraw from our role as a state-recognized SAR team. New Mexico’s SAR efforts are state-supervised, and without the ability to respond directly to community needs, we realized there…

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Exciting News – Wilderness Rescue

Exciting News – Wilderness Rescue

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Pecos Valley Public Services has been a State of New Mexico-recognized Search & Rescue organization since its humble beginnings in 2022. We established this organization to create a group that not only bears the name “Search & Rescue” but is also well-equipped, physically capable, well-trained, and highly motivated to accomplish its tasks. We have conducted numerous training sessions, embarked on regular prep missions, and worked hard to secure the funding necessary to purchase equipment such as drones, ATVs, radios, ropes,…

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2023 – A Year In Review

2023 – A Year In Review

Running a charity is a lot of work. Federal and state reports have to filed, the New Mexico State Police wants some papers too, volunteers have to be trained, training needs to be planned, scheduled and supervised. There is fund raising, equipment purchase, repair and maintenance and, of course, there are missions and community activities. Thanks to the amazing work of all of our volunteers, we not only did all that, we did it very well. We responded to a…

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All In One Radio

All In One Radio

SAR team members have to carry a lot of gear. The New Mexico “Field Guide” requires us to carry food, clothing, water and a variety of tools like compass, ropes and more. Sometimes a product comes along that combines a number of things into one nice package and this “Emergency Radio” truly fits the bill. By Michaela Merz, ChCSAR 22: This unit costs less than $30. You can pick it up at Amazon (I have no affiliation with Amazon or…

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The Thing With Magnetic North

The Thing With Magnetic North

When I was introduced to map and compass work, I learned about “true” and “magnetic” north. Say .. what? There are two “Norths” ? It was puzzling. As it turns out, there are actually three “Norths”, though only the first two have relevance for SAR team members: 1) Geographic North (True North) 2) Magnetic North 3) Geomagnetic North So .. what is what? Let’s forget about the “Geomagnetic North” (or look it up here, cool video) . For map &…

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New Mexico Wilderness Tips

New Mexico Wilderness Tips

IN NEW MEXICO, THERE IS NO CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC FOR ANY SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORT BY STATE OR VOLUNTEER RESOURCES (Does not apply to commercial air or ground ambulance transportation).  If you feel you or someone you know is in trouble in the wilderness, do not hesitate to call 911 or your local New Mexico State Police district office.  Alerting the authorities in a timely way could mean the difference between life or death.  No one plans on going…

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