Rescue Your Sheriff's Search Team

The Air Rescue 5 team is best known for and , but today these heroes need some help. 

The team’s rescue missions depart from Barley Flats airbase, tucked on top of the southern ridge line of Mount Wilson, about 30 minutes from the Foothill (210) Freeway. Built in the 1940s the slowly deteriorating building was badly damaged following the 2009 Station Fire.

While rescuers were working day and night to save trapped residents during the Station Fire, the facility’s water, sewage and electrical connections were also destroyed. 

Despite deep funding cuts, the rescue team needs a new facility and requests the help of local residents and businesses who want to support search and rescue missions. 

Not only is funding necessary for the project to continue, but workers also need overnight lodging at the remote Barley Flats airbase, told Patch.

“We’re looking for people with motor homes to borrow for a few weeks for overnight housing,” Leum said.

Many of the workers live in the South Bay and would like to spend the night occasionally instead of driving back toward the coast.

With the rainy weather coming, the team decided to start Sept. 30. 

“We don’t want to wait any longer so we’re getting started with what we got,” Leum said.

Not enough money is collected to complete the project and the team needs about $20,000 to finish.

“It’s a grassroots effort to refurbish a very old facility that is in desperate need and it’s being done with 100 percent donated funds and labor,” Leum said.

Here are some items the team needs:

Motor homes

Three computer work stations: $18,534.07

Flooring: $5,434.00

Window coverings:  $2,500.00

Radios:  $2,000.00

Here is how to donate:

Tax deductible contributions can be made to the Sheriff’s Relief Foundation Fund #300 (Air Rescue 5). The tax ID number is 95-3779314. Check can be mailed to:

Commander, LASD Reserve Forces Bureau, 4700 Ramona Blvd., #106, Monterey Park, Calif. 91754

Contact Mike Leum at mrleum@lasd.org with any further questions or to make a donation.