Exciting Growth in Progress—We Need Your Help!

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Join us in our mission to enhance and expand Lakes Area Rescue in 2024, responding to the growing needs of the Brainerd Lakes Area. With the remarkable population and visitor growth in Crow Wing County and Cass County, the demand for a comprehensive Search and Rescue (SAR) team has never been higher. Our goal is to provide unparalleled emergency care to our community.

We are excited to announce our ambitious plans to expand our specialized services to include Wildland Search and Rescue and Water/Ice Rescues.

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Recent Expansion

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In May, we announced our partnership and merger with Crow Wing County First Responder Zone 1, expanding Lakes Area Rescue’s coverage area to 350 square miles and over 16,000 residents, with close to 60 dedicated First Responders on our team. Our service area now includes:

• First Assessment District

• Fort Ripley Township

• St. Mathias Township

• Crow Wing Township

• Oak Lawn Township

• Nokay Lake Township

• Long Lake Township

• Daggett Brook Township

• Maple Grove Township

• East Gull Lake

 

How You Can Help

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We have the dedicated team and the drive, but we need your help to raise the necessary funds for acquiring essential Search and Rescue (SAR) equipment and providing top-notch training for our members. Your support will enable us to establish a dedicated Search and Rescue (SAR) team to better serve our community.

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What We're Bringing to the Community:

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• Expansion of Coverage: Lakes Area Rescue now covers a service area of 350 square miles with over 16,000 residents, supported by 60 dedicated first responders.

• Search and Rescue (SAR): Expanding our services to include Search and Rescue (SAR) will support the exceptional work of our local fire and sheriff departments by providing additional manpower, specialized training, and unique equipment. This collaborative approach will enhance overall emergency responsiveness and establish a county-wide automatic mutual aid system for rescue-related calls.

• Advanced Training for Volunteers: Offering specialized technical training to equip our team with the latest in Search and Rescue (SAR) operation techniques.

• A Dedicated Home Base: Establishing a physical location to boost operational effectiveness, equipment storage, and response times.

• State-of-the-Art Equipment Upgrade: Procuring advanced equipment, including thermal imaging drones, a UTV, water/ice rescue gear, and a Sherp, to ensure superior access across challenging terrains.

 

Why Your Support Matters:

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As we venture into these much-needed services, your support is critical. Our ambitious expansion requires significant investment in cutting-edge equipment, advanced volunteer training, and the creation of our operational base. Operating solely on donations and without government funding, every contribution to Lakes Area Rescue is vital. Your generosity is the cornerstone of our ability to enhance service capacity and respond to the rising demand for emergency services in our community.

Every donation, regardless of size, makes a profound difference. Join us in making a significant impact today.

Lakes Area Rescue is a proud 501(c)(3) charity non-profit organization, driven by community support and donations.

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Donations can be made below online with  Zeffy or can be mailed to:

Lakes Area Rescue
PO Box 13
Merrifield, MN 56465

Receipts will be mailed for all donations. Thank you for your support!

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Online Link:

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