Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue Group

BRMRG members participated in the combined SAR Conference and makeup Academy training (postponed by winter weather) over the weekend. We learned Lost Person Behavior, Wilderness First Aid, and K9 Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). And then a bunch of our team caught up on training for VDEM certifications. We celebrate a new WFA cert, one for LPB, and 5 for TCCC, along with 2 new STLs, an MTM, and 4 new STMs. Thanks to the many instructors who made all of this learning possible!

Congratulations to Cath Bennion🎉
Cath is definitely a star in the Virginia SAR constellation. We are ever grateful for the knowledge she shares throughout her many teaching roles, her service to the community, and her friendship. 💙💙

Shelter. Fire. Water. Prevention of major arterial bleeds. Lessons learned.
S’mores. Good stories. Laughter.
And pancakes. It’s not BRMRG Bivvy night without pancakes for breakfast.
We had an amazing overnight training that covered important SAR and survival skills. Thanks to all who taught and also to all who came to learn.

Make sure you have alerts set on you phone (instructions in the MWS post) and make a PLAN for safety and family check-ins *today*.

A great feature story in the VRS Newsletter! Hat tip to our VDEM leader and greatest advocate, Bryan Saunders.
(To ease any panic on an early retirement, Bryan stated, “I’ve got two governors left.” Whew!)

Meet VDEM Special Ops Leader Bryan Saunders. Bryan's story was featured in the Virginia Retirement System February 2026 Newsletter. Please check it out at the link below!

www.varetire.org/member-news/2026/february/vdem-special-operations-leader-bryan-saunders-shares-importance-of-preparation.html

As the cold weather continues (Stay warm! Check on family/neighbors!), we’re sharing a reminder that testing those old skates on the “icy” pond may not be the best move. Stay safe!

Prepare.
And if you are able, check in with neighbors (elderly, single parents) who may need a hand now or later, after the storm passes.

Rain? Check. Sleet? Check. Graupel? Check. Snow? Check. Strong, bitterly cold wind? Check.
Are we training? Of course!
A small, but mighty group braved the weather to check out a new location for some new year nav training. The sun did come out for the back half of the morning!

BRMRG is recruiting! Join us!

Join our Winter 2026 Call-Out Qualified Training series to learn Intro to SAR, legal issues, personal safety, and short-term survival.

To learn more, attend one of our info sessions on the 20th or 27th of January.

Classroom trainings will begin on Tuesday, 27 January at 7pm, and continue most Tuesdays at 7pm in Thornton Hall E304, covering navigation, SAR logistics, rescue ops, patient assessment and packing, and more! Practical field trainings follow on Saturdays, starting January 31 at 9am on Observatory Hill. Email [email protected] for more details.