I think the article is just a tad over the top and alarmist; 44 operations a year? In southern Arizona, my volunteer group- Southern Arizona Rescue Association (SARA) was logging around 50 annual operations when I left Arizona in 1985; today, they average about 100. The group responds to calls from the local sheriffs, does a competent, professional job, and earns substantial community support.
I believe the 44 missions the article refers to is for only one team, based in Sublette Co WY (population about 10,000). SARA, which you refer to, is composed of 5 teams, and draws volunteers from the Tucson area (population about a million). I suspect that 44 missions might easily overwhelm a small team based in a small community.
I didn’t see that the article in any way implied that volunteer teams are not competent?
SAR resources vary widely across the US. Extrapolation based on experience from teams based in one large metro area doesn’t necessarily apply to all other areas of the country. Conditions, terrain, climate, financial support, and population base from which to draw volunteers vary greatly.
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