Cayuga County plans to establish a Search and Rescue Team under its Office of Emergency Services as the nonprofit Cayuga County Highland Search and Rescue prepares to cease operations.
The Auburn Citizen reports financial challenges, including rising insurance costs and halted pandemic-era fundraisers, led the nonprofit to end its service. The new county-led team will be funded through the special operations budget, costing under $1,000 annually for insurance, equipment, and state organization dues.
The team will consist of 15 trained volunteers, including five EMTs, and will continue to address critical search-and-rescue needs across the region.
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