Mountain rescue in the United States

In the United States, mountain rescue is handled by professional teams within some national parks and by volunteer teams elsewhere. Volunteer teams are often members of the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA).

Under the National Incident Management System, mountain rescue unit qualifications are standardized.[1]

Occasionally there are editorials or legislative bills suggesting that climbers should be charged for rescues, particularly after a sensational high-profile rescue.[2] The American Alpine Club has released a report explaining the costs of a rescue and the potential problems resulting from charging for rescues.[3] The MRA has issued a similar defence of climbers interests.[4]

  1. ^ "Resource: Mountain Search and Rescue Team". fema.gov. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Archived from the original on 25 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  2. ^ Athearn, Lloyd (January 1997). "Jokers On The Mountain: When Politics & Mountain Rescues Collide". The American Alpine News. Archived from the original on 22 October 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  3. ^ Athearn, Lloyd (19 May 2005). "Climbing Rescues in America: Reality Does Not Support 'High-Risk, High-Cost' Perception" (PDF). The American Alpine Club. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  4. ^ "Mountain rescue Association Reaffirms its Position" (PDF). Mountain rescue Association. 1 August 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.