The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Disaster Aid Response Team (DART) is an organization of citizen volunteers founded in 1982. As part of the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department’s Bureau of Support Services, these volunteers utilize their training to assist in various emergency and service responses to the Town of Los Gatos and City of Monte Sereno.
DART supports community events and provides callout support for traffic control, lost person searches and evidence searches.
Karen Trolan, a longtime DART member, said, “We provide first aid. If you need help, look for someone in a DART uniform.” Be it a Band-Aid or the need to call an ambulance, DART is there to help.
WHAT DOES DART DO?
First aid/CPR, traffic control, search techniques (lost person and evidence), field skills (land navigation and survival), advanced emergency medical treatment and care, technical rope rescue, ham radio operators, bike and ATV, disaster assistance, wilderness survival and emergency radio communications are some of the things these volunteers get up to.
And DART is constantly training and looking at new techniques, such as using drones.
You may have seen them in uniform at Jazz on the Plazz or other community events. And you will hope to see them if we have any natural disasters.
WHEN DISASTERS HIT
After the Loma Prieta Earthquake, DART volunteers facilitated the Emergency Operations Center and augmented the police department during the Lexington Fire. They also provided logistical and security assistance to the firefighters.
ASSISTING LGMSPD
DART has supported the LGMSPD in evidence searches. The DART Dive Team has assisted in search and recovery missions, including collecting evidence at Vasona Lake.
“Today, we are dealing with a shakeup of our sense of security,” Trolan said. “Once again, we are dealing with circumstances totally outside our control, including fires and the constant threat of a major earthquake. This leaves us wondering what could be next.”
Trolan says she feels fortunate to have been part of the DART group for many years.
“We have very well-trained professionals, like our great firefighters and our police force, as well as local volunteers to support our communities for these types of events,” she said. “When something goes wrong, we all spring into action.
“You might have seen us out at events; at our local holiday parade, doing search and rescue, or even when disasters have hit in the past,” Trolan continued. “Know that our team continues to train and practice a collective set of skills that supports the police department when disaster may strike. Plus, we continue to build, adding new skills and support as appropriate for the community.”
I for one am reassured just knowing about DART. They are at the ready if a future disaster occurs in or around Los Gatos or Monte Sereno.
If you are looking for a community organization that will provide you with an opportunity to learn new skills that will help you support your community, take a look at DART. lgmsdart.org
