San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team, a search and rescue volunteer force servicing Eastern Los Angeles County and the San Gabriel Mountains since 1955, is recruiting new members. The team will host free informational sessions at the Mountain Rescue Station, 114 E. First St., San Dimas, on Saturday, October 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, October 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Team members must be 21 years old, in good health with strong endurance, a full-time student or have steady employment, able to work under pressure, and must demonstrate integrity and a commitment to the rigorous training program. Members must also pass a background investigation.

No experience is needed and all training in search and tracking, mountaineering, climbing, rappelling, map and compass usage, helicopter extraction and other types of evacuation techniques will be provided at a later date to recruits.

The SDMRT searches for and rescues missing, trapped, and injured hikers or vehicle accident victims in the mountains; assists with evacuations during forest fires and floods; and participates in other rescue operations or technical situations. Members are on call 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year.

The group is overseen by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and members have the opportunity to become reserve deputy sheriffs and emergency medical technicians. Learn more at sdmrt.com.