About C.E.M.P. Search & Rescue
WHO WE ARE. OUR HISTORY. WHAT WE DO.
Over 60 Years In Service
Over 55 Years In Service
C.E.M.P. has been an all-volunteer emergency team since 1962. We’re very proud to celebrate over 60 years of consistent service, impeccable track record and respected heritage. As the only suburban search & rescue team in the entire city of Los Angeles, we are recognized and utilized by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Mountain Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA), Park Rangers, County Police, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
C.E.M.P. is an official 501c3 non-profit organization, made up of men and women, of all ages, who share a passionate desire to give back to the community. Although utilized by city and county agencies, all of our funding comes from out-of-pocket expenses and donations.
C.E.M.P. has been an all-volunteer emergency team since 1962. We’re very proud to celebrate over 55 years of consistent service, impeccable track record and respected heritage. As the only suburban search & rescue team in the entire city of Los Angeles, we are recognized and utilized by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Park Rangers, County Police, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
C.E.M.P. is an official 501c3 non-profit organization, made up of men and women, of all ages, who share a passionate desire to give back to the community. Although utilized by city and county agencies, all of our funding comes from out-of-pocket expenses and donations.
OUR SPECIAL TEAMS
In addition to our regular membership, who are all first-aid or EMT level certified, CERT trained, NIMS and SARTech III certified, some of our members choose to go above and beyond by joining our special teams.
K9 TEAM
Training for literally thousands of hours per year, our K9 handlers and their partners are some of the best-trained in the country.
LIGHTING TEAM
Providing high-powered lighting for crime and accident scenes, our team is always prepared and ready to go when a scene needs to be lit.
BIKE TEAM
Extremely mobile, speedy and helpful, our bike team is deployed at almost every event for quick, easy access and response.
How We Do What We Do
When an emergency agency needs additional help, a supervisor or higher authority activates our team. We take pride in our adherence to proper protocols and procedures; constantly updating and refreshing our skills through mandatory trainings. We do not “self-activate,” meaning we only respond to government agencies’ official deployment requests. If an individual needs our assistance (for a missing family member) we ask that you contact your local police and they will activate us.
SERVING LOS ANGELES FOR OVER 55 YEARS
With a rich history, we have become a staple in L.A. for emergency services.
Born Out Of Necessity
In 1962 a group of dedicated citizens formed a team to provide communications assistance during disasters. In less than a year, “Citizens Emergency Mobile Patrol” was born. Now “California Emergency Mobile Patrol,” our team has grown tremendously, and has been responsible for many successful operations, logging in thousands of volunteer hours each year.
As we enter our 2nd half century, we are honoring those founders and celebrating our long, unprecedented, successful history.
October 1962
C.E.M.P. Is Born
After the search of missing child, a group of citizens join together and begin forming search parties using a more organized communication strategy. They quickly form “Citizens Emergency Mobile Patrol” and incorporate the team. That same year, Dodger Stadium opens to the public.
August, 1965
Watts Riots
65 people are killed in the week-long violence of the the Watts riots. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) opens. Today LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States. That same year, Marina del Rey is opened — the largest man-made pleasure boat harbor in the world.
June, 1966
L.A. Zoo Opens
The Los Angeles Zoo opens its doors for the first time. The Beach Boys release Good Vibrations, a No. 1 hit in the United States and UK and widely considered one of the most influential pop songs ever written.
October, 1967
Turning 5
C.E.M.P. celebrates five years of service to Los Angeles. That same year the first-ever AFL-NFL World Championship Game, aka “Super Bowl I” takes place at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The NFL champion Green Bay Packers defeated the AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. Also that year the Mark Taper Forum and Los Angeles Forum both open.
June, 1968
Robert Kennedy Killed
Senator Robert Kennedy is assassinated in the kitchen of the Roosevelt Hotel in L.A. after speaking at a campaign rally. He later dies at nearby Good Samaritan Hospital (which still stands today). That year, C.E.M.P. deploys its “modern MSU” (Mobile Support Unit).
February, 1971
San Fernando Earthquake
In the early morning hours of February 9, 1971 a 6.6 earthquake shook Southern California. The epicenter was in the city of San Fernando. The quake killed 65 people – most at the Olive View Medical Center and VA Hospital which were both destroyed. C.E.M.P. played a major role in the rescue and communications efforts.
July, 1984
L.A. Hosts The Olympics
The Olympic Games come to Los Angeles, making L.A. the only U.S. city to host the games twice. Los Angeles was the home to the Summer Games of the XXIII Olympiad in the Coliseum – specifically built for the Olympics. C.E.M.P. assisted the LAPD and USC campus police with eyes & ears details as well as communications.
June, 1991
Sierra Madre Quake
On June 28 – A magnitude 5.8 earthquake shakes northern L.A. County and all of Southern California. The “Sierra Madre” event kills eight people and injures hundreds. C.E.M.P. joined the mutual aid effort and supported communications and rescue efforts coordinated by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and other area agencies.
August, 1991
Name Change
After much debate and consideration, C.E.M.P. votes to update their name to “California Emergency Mobile Patrol” (replacing “Citizens”). The move showed a more progressive, modern representation of the team’s ability to assist in statewide and more professional assignments.
January, 1994
Northridge Earthquake
On January 17, the Northridge Earthquake shakes L.A. out of bed at 4:17am. The devastating quake took 57 lives and injured more than 12,000. C.E.M.P. aided in rescue efforts, recovery and logistics for agencies. We were pictured on the cover of Time during the crisis.
October, 1995
Holleigh Bernson
Councilman Hal Bernson’s daughter, Holleigh, goes missing and a massive search is organized. After her car is discovered over a cliff in Griffith Park, C.E.M.P. plays a primary role in finding and recovering her body.
August, 2000
DNC in L.A.
The Democratic National Convention is held in Los Angeles. The event was a security and crowd challenge. C.E.M.P. joined the LAPD in becoming eyes and ears from various vantage points over the convention.
September, 2008
Metrolink Disaster
When a careless engineer blows through a red signal because he is texting, his Metrolink train collides head-on with a BSNF freighter. 25 lose their lives in the horrific crash. C.E.M.P. was on the scene first and aided in the rescue operation.
October, 2008
Fire Storms
Two major fires consume the Los Angeles north county area in 2008 and 2009. The “Sayre Fire,” also known as the “Sylmar Fire,” and the “Station Fire” dominated the city in the Fall of both years. C.E.M.P. played a major role with evacuations, brush patrol and traffic.
October, 2013
We Turn 50!
We turn 50! C.E.M.P. is proud of our heritage, history and service. For over 50 years we have provided valuable assistance in Los Angeles. And we’re looking forward to serving another 50. See you in 2062!
March, 2020
Covid-19
For the first time in modern history the world stops. All volunteer organizations cease operations during the historic Covid-19 pandemic. The City of Los Angeles grounded all operations, including C.E.M.P. The three-month hiatus helped “Flatten the curve” of infections and deaths.