Posts by Anna DeBattiste

You might never have heard that CSAR had a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Program, let alone an OD program.  The DEI program began in 2023 and was formed under the leadership of then-CSAR director Ryan White, from Western Mountain Rescue Team.  The program’s four additional members are passionate about making sure teams have access…

Did you know that CSAR’s Public Information and Education Program has eight members from seven different teams?  The PIE program has existed in its current format since 2022, when it expanded from public information to include public backcountry safety education.  Its acronym came about when Jeff Sparhawk said, “Because who doesn’t like PIE?”  CSAR members…

It was 2019, and Summit County Rescue Group (SCRG) had just been asked by Summit County to raise $1.575 million toward the total for a badly needed new headquarters building, many years in the planning.  The team was dumbfounded.  They had never had an organized fundraising program, committee or process before.  How could they raise…