General Questions
Is BES is a non-profit?
Yes. BES is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit company and our Employer Identification Number(EIN) is 84-6059143. We have been completing searches and rescues in Boulder County for over 60 years.
Is BES all volunteer or are there paid positions as well?
BES is an entirely volunteer organization consisting of over 50 unpaid professionals who donate over 30,000 hours of their own time each year to help the citizens of Boulder County and some surrounding areas.
Does BES charge for rescue services?
Members of the public are never charged for rescue services. BES is financed by the Boulder County Commissioners and private donors (see below for details).
How is BES financed?
- The total income from all sources in 2021 including donations and grants was approximately $253,000. The primary source of funding is the Boulder County Commissioners, along with many generous donors.
- It is estimated that the value of the services BES provides saves the citizens of Boulder County millions of dollars per year. As Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle stated on 9/25/05: “If we had to pay a dozen employees about $50,000 to $75,000 a year to do the work of BES volunteers, it might cost us a million dollars a year.” And this estimate of costs saved increases every year.
Where is BES’s district located?
BES is primarily a mutual-aid department that works closely with other agencies in the county including 20 fire departments, and multiple law enforcement agencies and emergency medical providers. BES responds to calls all across Boulder County, ranging from within the City of Boulder to the rural areas surrounding it to calls as far West as the Peak-to-Peak Highway. BES also assists neighboring counties on large incidents on a request basis.
How is BES contracted to be a rescue agency?
BES works under contract with Boulder County through the Sheriff’s Office as well as through mutual aid agreements with local fire departments to provide a plethora of services to the citizens. This allows these departments which may only receive a few of these calls to save their resources, money, and training by utilizing us to provide these specialized services.
Volunteering (Rescue)
Why volunteer with BES as a rescuer?
BES was established to provide technical search, rescue, and other emergency support services to the people of Boulder County and are dedicated to the preservation of life and property. BES’s vision is “A future where the people of Boulder County are provided the safest, most effective, and most efficient search and rescue services realized through practical, interagency collaboration.”
What are the benefits of volunteering?
Our unpaid professionals receive training from highly competent and trained instructors. Because we provide a wide variety of emergency services, rescuers can receiving training in rigging, swiftwater, dive, wide area search, vehicle extrication, UAS, ICS, and others. Some of our rescuers have used BES training and experience as a strong foundations for a career in fire, EMS, or law enforcement. Additionally, we get the self-satisfaction of saving lives and property.
Can individuals under the age of 18 volunteer?
Typically all applicants must be 18 or older. However, with the Chief’s recommendation a 17 year old may be voted on by the membership to become a candidate.
Do I need specific skills or qualifications to volunteer?
- To be a rescuer no special skills or qualifications are required. BES will provide all the trainings and certifications.
- However, a rescuer must meet minimum physical qualifications.
Can people working and living outside Boulder County volunteer?
No. BES requires all rescuers to live or work in Boulder County.
When are BES trainings and meetings?
Typically BES has a training or meeting every Monday night from 7 to ~9. Additionally, BES has Saturday trainings from 8:30 am to ~1 pm two to three Saturdays a month.
What type of trainings does BES do?
BES completes trainings on every service we offer. Additionally, there are trainings on CPR & First Aid, stopping trains, emergent driving, filling air bottles, and much more.
Volunteering (Business)
Along with the rescue side of BES, there is the business side. BES is a 501(c)3 non-profit. This means BES needs to be run like any business. Functions include:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Recruitment
- HR
- Marketing / PR
- Fleet Management / Vehicle Maintenance
- Facilities
- Community Outreach
- Radio Communications
- IT
Why Volunteer with BES?
Our unpaid professionals receive training from highly competent and trained instructors. Because we provide a wide variety of emergency services, rescuers can receiving training in rigging, swiftwater, dive, wide area search, vehicle extrication, UAS, ICS, and others. Some of our rescuers have used BES training and experience as a strong foundations for a career in fire, EMS, or law enforcement. Additionally, we get the self-satisfaction of saving lives and property.
Can individuals under the age of 18 volunteer?
Yes.
Can people working and living outside Boulder County volunteer?
Yes, if your job allows for remote work.