EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. — Community Event Preview | Oct. 22, 2026
Meet El Dorado County’s Search-and-Rescue Heroes at Town Center
El Dorado Hills residents will have an opportunity Saturday to meet the volunteers and rescue specialists who respond when people become lost, injured or stranded in El Dorado County’s rugged backcountry.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team is scheduled to appear at El Dorado Hills Town Center on Oct. 24 for a community outreach and fundraising event organized in collaboration with the El Dorado Hills Arts & Entertainment Foundation. The event is advertised for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The organizers’ message is straightforward: “Help Us Fill the Pack.” Community members are encouraged to donate toward equipment, volunteer training and rescue operations.
Rescue dogs, drones and specialized equipment
The event announcement invites visitors to explore several aspects of search-and-rescue work, including:
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Rescue vehicles and equipment: Get a closer look at the tools rescuers use in the field.
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Search canines: Meet trained rescue dogs and their handlers.
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Drone demonstrations: Learn how aerial technology can assist search teams.
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Swift-water rescue: See specialized equipment used in dangerous water conditions.
The demonstrations offer an opportunity for residents to learn about the skills, technology and preparation required to locate and assist people in trouble.
A volunteer operation serving the entire county
Search and rescue is an essential public-safety function in El Dorado County, where communities range from the populated western foothills to the forests, mountains and waterways surrounding South Lake Tahoe.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the Search and Rescue Unit assists residents and visitors who are lost, stranded or injured. Its mission includes locating people, carrying out rescues and providing appropriate medical care.
The county lists specialized capabilities that include ground searches, technical rope rescue, swift-water rescue, mounted searches, canine searches and off-highway vehicle operations. The Sheriff’s Office coordinates training and missions, relying on the participation of trained volunteers and sworn deputies.
Those capabilities matter in a county where a recreational outing can become an emergency when someone is injured, loses their way or encounters hazardous terrain or changing weather.
Donations support readiness
Search-and-rescue operations require more than personnel willing to answer an emergency call. Teams must maintain equipment, train for specialized assignments and prepare to operate in challenging conditions.
The Oct. 24 fundraiser asks residents to help cover those needs through monetary contributions. Organizers say donations will support rescue equipment, volunteer training and lifesaving operations throughout El Dorado County.
The event also gives residents a chance to speak directly with team members and learn more about the work behind emergency responses.
As organizers put it in their announcement: “They show up when our community needs them. Let’s show up for them!”
When and where to attend
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fundraiser: “Fill the Pack”
Support rescue equipment, volunteer training and emergency operations.
The event is an opportunity for families and other community members to learn more about a critical county service while supporting the people who help bring others home safely.
For additional information about the team’s mission and capabilities, visit the official El Dorado County Search and Rescue webpage.
