Unit Information - RESPONSE capabilities

For 24-hour Activation: (541) 766-6911, and ask to be connected with a CMRU Mission Coordinator.

Search and Rescue Capabilities
CMRU is available to locate, treat, and transport lost or injured individuals. The unit's trained members and specialized equipment allow it to care for and evacuate individuals from glaciers, high faces, deep canyons, and irregular terrain in most all weather conditions. Cell phone communications quickly alert unit members of SAR missions.

Operations Base
CMRU is based in Corvallis, Oregon. Corvallis is 85 miles south of Portland, 10 miles west of Interstate 5, 50 miles east of the Oregon coast.

Response Time
CMRU typically is able to leave Corvallis 90 minutes after receiving a call for assistance. Driving time to typical trail heads are as follows:

  • Timberline Lodge (Mt. Hood south): 3 hours
  • Cloud Cap Inn (Mt. Hood north): 3 hours, 30 minutes
  • Detroit (Mt. Jefferson): 1 hour, 45 minutes
  • Santiam Pass (Three Fingered Jack): 2 hours, 15 minutes
  • Big Lake Youth Camp (Mt. Washington): 2 hours, 30 minutes
  • Trailbridge Campground (Blue Pool): 2 hours, 30 minutes
  • Mt. Bachelor ski resort: 3 hours, 30 minutes
  • Crater Lake National Park: 4 hours

Response Area
CMRU enjoys a close working relationship with the Benton County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). CMRU responds out of county on a mutual-aid basis with the permission of the BCSO to all parts of Oregon, southern Washington (ie Mt. Adams) and northern California (ie Mt. Shasta).

Transportation Resources
CMRU maintains a Ford F450 4x4 super cab truck with attached box. All team equipment is contained in this vehicle (including base camp/portable radios and generator power). CMRU has access to other 4x4 vehicles, ATVs, and boats as necessary for mission-specific response. The unit uses a wheeled litter for trail access.

Radio Communications
CMRU typically operates on either the "Oregon SAR Orange" frequency of 155.8050MHz or our own licensed frequency of 155.1600MHz. We are able to program though and use most all VHF interop frequencies as needed.

Medical Capabilities
CMRU will deploy typically with members who are trained as Wilderenss First Responders (WFR), Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC), or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The unit maintains medical protocols from a sponsoring physician for all members, and brings its own assorment of medical equipment to treat back-country injuries.

High-angle Equipment
CMRU will respond with all equipment (rope, webbing, carabiners, litters, edge protection, etc) necessary to complete most all types of high-angle rescue.

Working with other teams
CMRU regularly works together with SAR and Mountain Rescue teams from other agencies. We appreciate strong working relationships with these groups! CMRU often will supplement the actions of other teams.

Helicopter Operations
CMRU members train and work regularly with many types of air-operations platforms to include Oregon Army National Guard Blackhawk and Lakota helicopters, US Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopters, private air-ambulance helicopters, and an assortment of fixed-wing platforms.