About
Bob Lehmann and Bob Blanck
San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team is one of nineteen rescue teams affiliated with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Founded in 1958, San Gorgonio SAR is an unpaid, professional, non-profit rescue organization serving the San Gorgonio Wilderness and surrounding communities. We respond to lost or injured hikers and critical lost or missing children and seniors. We also provide technical rescue on our mountains and roadways and in the back country. During times of natural disasters such as wildfires, our 100% volunteer-based team is a ready resource for the community.
The San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team formed after a boy, Donald Burns, fell over 300 feet down the face of Big Falls in February 1958. Big Falls is the tallest waterfall in Southern California and is the location of many climbing accidents and deaths, most of which occur at "Blood Rock." Deputy Sheriff Willard Farquhar of the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department responded to the incident, but despite surviving the 300-foot fall, Burns could not be rescued by the Deputy or other personnel. Conditions at night resulted in frozen ropes and a thick layer of ice on the rocks.
The next day, a Marine Corps helicopter attempted a hoist but could not reach Burns. After the unsuccessful helicopter rescue, a request was sent to the Sierra Madre Mountain Rescue Team of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department to respond to the incident. Six rescuers ascended 400 feet on the west side of the falls to access Burns from above and then rappelled to his location. Unfortunately Burns had not survived the night after being exposed to the harsh elements.
After the death of Donald Burns, Sheriff Frank Bland initiated the formation of San Bernardino County's first search and rescue team to prevent similar incidents and mitigate the need to request outside resources. In March 1958, the first volunteer members were sworn in. Later that same year, Valley of the Falls Search and Rescue Team was formed; members could hastily respond to the many incidents occurring at Big Falls.
Today, Valley of the Falls Search and Rescue does not exist, having merged with the San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team.
