YCSO Jeep Posse Featured Last Week

Jeep Posse Captain Ron Jakola, Co-Pres. Christy Manning, 1st Lt. of Operations, Mark Langfelder, and Rotary District Governor, Joe Sweeney

 

The YCSO Jeep Posse is a 40-member, all-volunteer search and rescue organization dedicated to serving the citizens of Yavapai County, Arizona in searching for, finding and rescuing missing persons, as well as resident notifications during County-wide Wildland Fire evacuations. Working under the direction of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, the Posse provides the mobile 4X4 units required in these life-saving activities through the dedication of Posse members’ time, vehicles, and equipment on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week, year-round basis. In addition, the YCJP Communications Squad staffs the Posse’s Forward Communications Vehicle (FCV) during search, rescue, fire evacuation and other missions.  With a geographical area to cover of more than 8,000 square miles, that is a daunting task, and the search and rescue operations vary widely in nature and scope. 

 

We were privileged to have Captain Ron Jakola and 1st Lt. of Operations Mark Langfelder with us at last week's meeting to help us better understand the history of this famous organization, and how it operates.  We learned the organization traces its roots back to 1952.  The posse has a number of specialized units which are called into service to handle different scenarios, including a drone, with four pilots.  The Posse has a highly mobile four-wheel drive tactical Command and Communications Vehicle (CCV) which, when called, rolls immediately upon a search call-out. Often, the Sheriff's Mobile Command Post (MCP) serves as the base of operations, but the Posse's CCV is the "go-anywhere" vehicle and is used in conjunction with the MCP, especially into areas where the MCP is unable to travel. This rolling CCV contains the Posse's maps, generators, radios, first aid equipment, and computers. The CCV provides communication frequencies needed to talk to the Search Dog Teams, Air Group Search Planes, Rescue Helicopters, Back-Country Units and Mounted (Horse) Posses, Quad (ATV) units, 4X4 teams, the U.S. Forest Service, local Police Departments, Arizona DPS, and Yavapai County Sheriff's Deputies.  

 

Mark Langfelder's jeep, which he says is loaded with equipment and is ready to spring into action, with just enough room left it it for his wife and his dog.

 

 

There are many business, professional and service oganizations; but the most remarkable thing about Rotary is the Awesome Rotarians — who they are, what they stand for, and good they have been working together to accomplish around the world since 1905.  The fellowship of Rotarians is definitely something worth sharing!  And when you do share Rotary with someone else, and sponsor to become a Rotarian, you become an unforgettable person.  You may not remember many things about your incredible years of service in Rotary, but you never forget the person who cared enough to share Rotary with you, and who sponsored your Rotary membership.  Do yourself, and someone else, a favor today by sharing Rotary with them.

 

 

 

Tiffany Jones anounced at our meeting that this year's Sunup Rotary Snack Shack's profit was $7,906 — our best ever!  She thanked all who served shifts working in our Snack Shack during the Little League games this ball season.  Together we both provided a needed and appreciated service for the families and friends of the ballplayers who attended the games, and we raised a considerable amount of money to help fund our club's other service projects and scholarships. 

 

Now that our Pancakes on the Patio and Snack Shack club fundraisers are in the rear view mirror, it is time to begin gearing up for our next one: the Chili Cookoff.  Those club members who are willing to help by serving on the Chili Cookoff Committee are asked to remain after our club meeting this Wednesday, July 22, for a planning meeting.

 

 

 

 

As Christy describes in her "Prez Says" article this week, our club contributed more that 80 pounds of canned and packaged goods, as our participation in a Rotary 5495 District-wide Food Drive.  Besides that, one of our members generously added a $1,000 cash contributution.  All of this was delivered to the Community Cupboard Food Bank here in Prescott, to help families in our own community who are struggling to make it.  

 

 

 

 

After a 3-hour delay, when their flight was unable to land, due to the monsoon, and had to be diverted to Tucson to refuel and wait before returning to Phoenix, our Interact Ambassadors to Kenya Team finally safely landed late last Monday night.  While flight delays are always trying and inconvenient, this year's 3-hour delay was a relief, compared to last year's 3-day delay!  We had no problem getting our 2025 Kenya team from Nairobi, Kenya, back to JFK in New York.  However, with the airline problems being experienced at that time, it took three days before we were finally able to get our team on a flight from JFK back to Sky Harbor in Phoenix.  

 

Friends and Family, along with Art and A.J. from our Sunup Rotary Club, were relieved and happy when they were finally able to welcome this team home.  Kayla Mudge, the coordinator of our Interact Crutches 4 Africa and Ambassadors Program, is seen on the far right side of the photo.  This was the third team she has personally led to Kenya.  

 

 

Did you see this article in the Sunday edition of the Prescott Daily Courier?  Our Sophia Brown did a great job of writing and submitting this article featuring Carly Duggan, one of our Prescott High Interact Ambassadors who served in Mexico this summer.

 

NOTE:  We will be having representatives from the Interact Ambassadors to Mexico and Kenya teams presenting our club program on Wednesday, August 5.  Mark your calendar, and be sure to make the meeting that day to hear them share their experiences from this summer's service trips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

District Governor Joe Sweeney reminded us that he and Linda are hosting at their home the next Rotary Connections Level 1 set of courses on Saturday, August 1, froim 8:00 -4:00.  Rotary Connections is the new name for Rotary Leadership Institute, (RLI), which our club members have found to be so valuable.  Our club reimburses you for the $65 cost of registering for Rotary Connections, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and the participant materials.  Joe Sweeney's address is 188 E. Smoke Tree Lane, Prescott 86301. Joe's phone number is (928). 642-4252.

 

To register for this Level 1 Session, go to the Rotary district website, rotary5495.org, and under "Education" select "Rotary Connections," and then choese "Register for Upcoming Sessions."