Payam Javan: The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Team will host its annual large-scale Mock Search Training Event on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Henry W. Coe State Park’s Dowdy Ranch entrance. The full-day exercise will bring together more than 15 mutual aid teams alongside CAL FIRE, CAL-OES, the American Red Cross, and multiple partner agencies.

This year’s scenario, titled “Survival Reality Show Gone Wrong,” will simulate a mass-casualty wilderness rescue, challenging responders to locate and assist dozens of missing participants from a fictional backcountry competition. The event aims to test advanced search techniques, inter-agency coordination, and the integration of emerging technologies in real-world SAR operations.

Media representatives are invited to arrive at 8:00 a.m., with the official briefing at 8:30 a.m.. Search operations will continue throughout the day until 5:00 p.m. The Dowdy Ranch Visitors Center entrance will remain closed to the public during the event but open for credentialed media access.

The Mock Search serves as a critical training platform for regional agencies, designed to enhance readiness for real-world emergencies, strengthen mutual aid partnerships, and provide hands-on experience managing complex incidents.

“This exercise allows our teams to train in realistic conditions, work seamlessly with partner agencies, and stay mission-ready for the unpredictable,” said a representative of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Unit.