By Paula King
Contra Costa Times
Because San Joaquin County has no search-and-rescue team, the highly trained volunteers from Contra Costa County’s squad were called out twice to help find Sandra Cantu, the missing 8-year-old from Tracy.
Contra Costa’s team was the largest single group that assisted in the search for the girl, who was ultimately found dead in a dairy pond. More than 100 of the 336 total searchers helped over two weekends earlier this spring. They also coordinated the massive mutual effort involving volunteers.
As the largest search and rescue team north of San Bernardino County, the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office searchers often assist other agencies throughout the state and beyond in sometimes high-risk search-and-rescue efforts. Although they handle many missing person or lost child calls, volunteer Bryan Walley said the operation was especially difficult because they knew they were unlikely to find Sandra alive.
“Somehow that makes it very different and difficult for a lot of us. It didn’t change the priority. It didn’t change how hard we worked,” the 65-year-old Concord resident said. “We were proud of all of the volunteers’ efforts.”
But search and rescue is just one of 11 programs within the Volunteer Services Unit. The 622 volunteers contributed the same amount of service as 50 full-time, paid positions or 108,000 volunteer hours last year, and it would cost the county about $5 million for salaries and benefits if they were paid.
“You don’t realize the magnitude of what these people do until you manage them,” said volunteer coordinator Sgt. Daryl England. “Without the enhancement of the volunteers, we would be in a lot of trouble in the county.”
In a recent report, the county’s grand jury praised the unit for its ongoing professionalism and valuable assistance during a time of major county budget cuts.
The enthusiasm and sacrifice of the volunteers has remained a constant of sheriff departments throughout the state, Contra Costa Sheriff Warren Rupf said in a statement.
“We owe them so much, and they expect so little. Our expressions of gratitude are little compensation for these modern-day heroes, yet it seems to be more than enough in their eyes as they leave their homes to protect and assist others in our communities,” he said.
Reserve Deputy Herman Rellar spent 30 years as a sheriff sergeant and has been volunteering as a reserve for 23 years. He said that he retired on a Friday and started volunteering on a Monday. He is the county’s oldest and longest-tenured volunteer.
The reserve deputy program comprises about 10 percent of all volunteers. It supplements the paid deputies by providing traffic control, crime-scene support and security at events such as the county fair over the weekend.
“Most of the people that are in the volunteer program feel that they have something to offer to the general population,” Rellar said. “We have one of the best volunteer groups around. Everyone gives of their skill to give to the citizens.”
From the dive team that recovers bodies and performs water rescues to the teen Explorers with an interest in law enforcement careers, the volunteers are hardworking and passionate, according to Lt. Bani Kollo, who oversees the emergency services support unit.
“They come to work because they want to work. They are motivated by their need to give back to the community,” he said.
Some of the volunteer groups have grown significantly in the past few years, including the chaplaincy program, which provides spiritual guidance during times of crisis and represents many faiths.
“These volunteers are ready and able to put their own lives on hold and help a family in need,” sheriff’s office spokesman Jimmy Lee said.
Often, the volunteers assist in disaster response, as with the air squadron, which consists of pilots and observers who provide transportation during critical times, complete aerial surveillance, and catalog catastrophic footage.
Meanwhile, the amateur radio communications team and radio amateur civil emergency service manage communications during events and operations.
Although there is some turnover, the entire unit never suffers from a lack of volunteers, and it breeds recruitment.
“You enjoy being around the people you are working with. If you are doing police work, it doesn’t matter what agency you are working with,” Rellar said. “He is a police officer. He is a brother.”
Like many of the volunteers, Walley serves on more than one team because he also is a reserve deputy. Search-and-rescue missions have allowed him to ride in helicopters, propel down cliffs and work among volunteers from all walks of life.
“It is the satisfaction everybody gets for helping someone,” he said. “It is kind of addictive.”
Copyright 2009 Contra Costa Newspapers