MEMBERSHIP
Page updated: 12 September 2024.
So, You Want to Join CMRU… Now What?
Thank you for your interest in joining the Corvallis Mountain Rescue Unit (CMRU). CMRU is currently interested in new qualified prospective members. We seek out members who are competent and confident in the backcountry, who possess the physical and mental fitness to undertake strenuous multi-day missions on little or no sleep, and who have the core climbing, mountaineering, and rope skills that will set them up for success as a rescue unit member.
Specialized Skills
Successful trainees need to enter the Unit with existing knowledge of navigation, survival, and other foundational skills. CMRU will teach you specialized skills regarding rope rescue methods. The Unit trains its members to be effective rescuers, not climbers. Trainees should be prepared to operate year-round, in all conditions. We’ll initially ask to see a climbing resume that reflects comfort in all types of terrain and conditions as our missions take us everywhere from the poorest quality rock to icy glaciers.
Interested and competent individuals are expected to already possess skills in one or more of the following disciplines: rock/alpine climbing (e.g., multi-pitch trad/sport; Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack), general mountaineering (e.g., Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, Middle Sister), or rope rescue. Getting out and climbing as much as possible before coming to CMRU as a prospective member is a great way to increase your resume as a prospective member.
Prospective Member Timeline
Prospective members are able to engage with the Unit throughout the year. For information about training topics, location, and timing, please refer to the training calendar. The prospective member stage is an opportunity for you to observe and get to know the Unit and what we do. You are encouraged to attend as many weeknight meetings as possible, and to get to know current members and discuss your skills and interests with them.
The number of interviews offered relies on many factors, from current Unit capacity to prospective member qualifications and resume. After a period of approximately 4 months as a prospective member, we may offer you an application. Otherwise, we may ask that you go out and gain specific experience before we give you an application. If that’s the case, that experience can be gained with climbing partners or any number of highly reputable guiding services.
Other Certifications and Trainings
To maximize your chances of being accepted as a trainee, interested individuals are encouraged to pursue the following training, which can occur in advance of becoming a prospective:
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR) (1.5 weeks, 72-85 hours). Many different outfits put this on.
- or Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) certification (1.5 weeks, 80-100 hours). OEC can be considered an alternative to WFR; many ski patrols require OEC.
- Benton County Search and Rescue Academy (8 Weeks, 108 hours). The SAR academy is offered once a year in the spring in Corvallis. The SAR academy meets one evening a week and typically a full day on Saturdays for the duration of the academy.
- AIARE1 Avalanche training, or equivalent (3 days, 24 hours).
- Basic CPR for Healthcare Providers (1 Day, 8 hours). Basic CPR is offered periodically by the Unit and is available through many other providers.
The Unit understands that these certifications and training courses are a significant time commitment and financial burden. If accepted as a trainee, financial support options are available. Please consider carefully the amount of training time required to be in the Unit while making the decision to apply.
Thank you again, and we look forward to seeing you in a future cohort of CMRU Prospective Members.
Sincerely,Emily Abrams
Member at Large
membership(at)cmru.org
For More Information: CMRU Membership Details
Cultural Fit
Being personally compatible with the Unit is important. Over your career with CMRU we’ll be spending lots of time together. We train frequently, we recreate together, and our missions can see us in the field for 24-48 hours (expected to be operational and self-sufficient for up to 72 hours), often with little to no sleep. Unit cohesiveness is key to mission success. Ask questions, get to know the Unit and the people that make it what it is.
Missions
Mission logs have been kept since the 70’s. Since then, there doesn’t seem to be any correlation between the number of missions and well, anything else. Sometimes long periods go by without a mission, sometimes they come on back-to-back weekends. Often, it’s Sunday night when someone gets reported missing. If you do join the Unit, make sure your partner, kids, pets, employer and anyone else that relies on you is okay with you having to depart Corvallis within an hour of getting the call. At the discretion of the mission coordinator, members can start responding to missions as atrainee limited deployable.
Attendance
In addition to the classes listed above, the minimum attendance for all CMRU meetings and trainings is 50%. We meet the first Tuesday and third Wednesday of every month from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Additionally, weekend trainings are conducted the third weekend of most every month.
Required Equipment
Be sure to check out our required equipment list. Members are expected to utilize personal gear on trainings and missions. This equipment must be procured during your first year as a trainee. If you have financial difficulties obtaining this equipment as a member, arrangements can be made to assist. Our unit uses the ActiveAlert app for notification of search and rescue activations, which does require a smartphone.
In addition to obtaining the required equipment, you will be expected to pay annual dues which are currently $15.00, which pay for your membership in the Mountain Rescue Association, our accrediting organization. We also require new members to obtain a copy of the most current edition of "Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills."
Knots and Hitches
Finally, the Unit does have a list of necessary knots, bends, and hitches with an associated test. Please see this link for the list of knots you'll need to know either prior to becoming a CMRU member, or soon thereafter. Check out the list and start practicing, and ask questions if you’re unsure how to tie something.
Are you ready?
If you’ve read the previous 400 words and the idea of joining CMRU is still appealing, the best thing you can do is fill out our climbing survey and continue coming to weeknight meetings starting in September. In addition to basic contact information, this form will give you a chance to describe aspects of your background and qualifications that are relevant to CMRU’s mission. Applications from individuals traditionally under-represented in Search and Rescue and outdoor recreation are particularly encouraged.