
A volunteer organization of the San Mateo County Sheriff
Join the Mounted Search and Rescue Unit!
Serve Your Community. Ride with Purpose.
Why Join?
Joining the Mounted Search and Rescue Unit offers the opportunity to:
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Serve your community in a meaningful way
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Use your horsemanship skills for a greater purpose
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Train with a disciplined and mission-focused team
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Build confidence in yourself and your horse
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Support public safety and emergency response
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Participate in a proud tradition of mounted service
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Develop friendships with others who share a commitment to service
This unit is built on trust, professionalism, teamwork, and a willingness to show up when the community needs help.
Our members combine horsemanship, field skills, teamwork, and a commitment to service in support of the Sheriff’s Office and the broader emergency response community. Whether searching trails, open space, rural areas, or difficult terrain, mounted personnel provide a unique and valuable resource when time, access, and visibility matter.
If you are looking for a meaningful way to serve, challenge yourself, and be part of a disciplined team with a proud tradition, we invite you to learn more.
Who We Are Looking For
We welcome dedicated individuals who are dependable, team-oriented, safety-minded, and committed to public service
Ideal candidates are:
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Calm under pressure
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Willing to train regularly
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Able to work as part of a disciplined team
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Committed to safety and professionalism
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Respectful of chain of command and operational procedures
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Interested in serving the community
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Physically and mentally prepared for outdoor field conditions
Mounted members serve with their horse as an operational team. A suitable search and rescue horse should be calm, controllable, physically sound, and capable of working safely around people, vehicles, other animals, unfamiliar environments, and varied terrain.
Mounted members should be prepared to maintain:
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A suitable horse and tack
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Reliable transportation for horse and equipment
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Personal field gear
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Readiness for training and potential callouts
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A high standard of horsemanship, safety, and judgment
Horse and rider teams may be evaluated for suitability before participating in operational activities.
Basic Expectations
Members are expected to:
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Act professionally and respectfully
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Follow unit policies and direction
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Maintain safety as the highest priority
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Attend required meetings and training
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Keep personal equipment ready and serviceable
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Represent the unit and the Sheriff’s Office with integrity
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Support the mission of search and rescue and public service
Membership is a commitment to the team, the mission, and the community.
How to Apply
Interested in joining or learning more?
We encourage prospective members to contact us, attend an informational meeting, and speak with current members about the expectations, training process, and available roles.
Search and rescue requires commitment, humility, patience, and teamwork. It is not always easy, but it is deeply meaningful.
If you are ready to serve your community, train with purpose, and become part of a dedicated mounted search and rescue team, we would be honored to hear from you.
Apply or submit you contact information below!

Mike Oberti - Unit Leader

Christine Friis – Assistant Unit Leader

Jenny Mize - Training Coordinator
CONTACT
You can also contact us by using this form: