Summit County Rescue Group

Joe Ben Slivka, Rescue 25, joined the Summit County Rescue Group in 1994 when he was only 15 years old.  He became a mission coordinator in 2000.  As the Public Safety Systems Administrator for the County, he specializes in communications and rescue technology, and the technical side of search planning and operations.  Joe Ben is an Operations Section Chief for the Summit County Incident Management Team and a Communications Unit Leader for the Northwest Colorado Incident Management Team.  He is also an EMT-B/IV with the Summit County Ambulance Service.  Joe Ben has also served on the Colorado Search and Rescue Board (CSRB) as the Vice President, and is currently CSRB's Communications Director.  Additionally, Joe Ben represents CSRB on Colorado's State All-Hazards Advisory Committee.  Joe Ben has served on SCRG's Board of Directors as Group Leader and Training Director.  He is active with the Rocky Mountain Region of the MRA, particularly with regard to reaccreditations, and is qualified as a lead evaluator for the region.

Glen Kraatz, Rescue 24, joined SCRG in 1999 and has been a mission coordinator since 2002.  He has served on the Board of Directors as Group Leader, Liaison Director and Equipment Director.  Glen's specialty is rigging, and he is a frequent instructor for high angle and scree evacuation training sessions.  He has also served as a director on the Colorado Search and Rescue Board (CSRB), and as an evaluator for numerous MRA reaccreditations in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Brian Binge, Rescue 15, has been with the team since 2001 and a mission coordinator since 2004. His rescue specialties include swiftwater rescue, technical rigging, and snowmobile operations.  As Director of Information Systems for a local lodging company, he also specializes in computer mapping operations for search planning.  He served on the Board of Directors as Group Leader for two years, and focused on improving the internal communication processes of the team.

Jim Koegel, Rescue 18, has been with the team since 1995 and a mission coordinator since 2000.  An avid climber, he specializes in high angle operations.  He has served on the Board of Directors as Liaison Director, and was the team's MRA delegate.  He is a frequent evaluator for MRA reaccreditations in the Rocky Mountain Region and is qualified as a lead scenario evaluator.

Mark Svenson, Rescue 22, started with the group in 1980 and became a coordinator in 1983.  He has served as Group Leader, Medical Director, Equipment Director and Finance Director. He has also served in the Summit County Ambulance Service as an EMT-I, and as a Deputy Coroner, as well as on the Summit County EMS Board. He spent time away from Summit County "getting smart" and returned as soon as he did. He is a commercial pilot and instrument flight instructor and was a Captain in the Civil Air Patrol.  His specialties include searching with and for aircraft. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and owns a sign and visual advertising business. "It's great to see a group of individuals with specific talents work together for an incredible team effort," he says.

Dan Burnett, Rescue 11, has been asking the question "what were they thinking?" since 1980.  "It is a thrill to see teamwork coming together on the large field of search and rescue in Summit County," he says.  Dan is married to Patti, Rescue 29, who is still working the couple's third avalanche and search dog, Magic.  Dan has held many board positions over his 30 years on the team and now says he's back to trying hard to be a good mission coordinator and to encourage the other mission coordinators.

Becky Baylor, Rescue 21, has been with SCRG since 1990 and a mission coordinator since about 1993.  She is the team's only female mission coordinator, and coined the term "Team Estrogen" in 2004 to describe the women on the team.  She most enjoys the planning, interviewing and investigative functions of major searches.  Becky works for the Summit County School District and is also an independent Team Beach Body Coach, helping people get fit and live a healthier lifestyle.

Aaron Parmet joined SCRG in 2002 and was promoted to team leader in 2008.  He is an avid backcountry skier and specializes in avalanche rescue and snow safety.  An EMT-B, he formerly served as the team's medical officer.  He is also a diver and a member of the Summit County Water Rescue Team.

Chad Watson joined the team in 2005,and was promoted to team leader in 2007.  He specializes in snowmobile and 4x4 operations, and served as Equipment Director in 2009.

Patti Burnett, veteran team leader, has been with SCRG since 1981, and is a well-known expert in the field of avalanche dog training and operations.  She is the author of the book Avalanche!  Hasty Search; the Care and Training of Avalanche Search & Rescue Dogs, and she serves on the Executive Board of Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado (SARDOC).

Charles Pitman has been with SCRG since 2004, and was promoted to team leader in 2008.  He describes himself as a "jack of all trades" in the field, and currently serves as the group's Finance Director.

Tim Schlough, veteran team leader, joined SCRG for the second time in 1998.  He is a wilderness paramedic who works with the Summit County Ambulance Service, the Copper Fire Department and the Summit County SWAT Team.  He currently serves as the group's President.

Scott Young, team leader, has been with the team since 2001.  He specializes in snowmobile and ATV operation, and is a swiftwater rescue technician and instructor.  He is also a diver on the Summit County Water Rescue Team.

Andrea Reller, veteran team leader, has been with SCRG since 1989 and is a dog handler specializing in avalanche rescue and wilderness search.  She serves on the Executive Board of Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado (SARDOC).

John Reller, veteran team leader, has been on the team since 1987, and is a dog handler.  He is a veteran ski patroller who specializes in avalanche rescue and snow safety.  He is also a swiftwater rescue technician.

Paul Johnson is a founding father of SCRG and has been with the team since 1972.  An avid climber for many years, he specializes in technical rock rescue.  He has also served in many board positions throughout his years on the team, in addition to serving as a team leader.

Matt Hage is on his second round with SCRG.  He was a member from 1994 to 2002, and returned in 2007.  His specialties lie in site command, teambuilding and team recognition.  He currently serves as the group's Training Director as well as a team leader.

Mike James has been with SCRG since 2006 and was promoted to team leader in 2009. He is an avid hiker, biker, skier, and triathlete specializing in technical rescue / litter attending, route finding, and ATV operation.

Sargeant Cale Osborn, Sheriff's Office

Carolanne Basile, active member

Special Operations Technician Mark Watson, Sheriff's Office

William Frew, active member

John Agnew, veteran active member

Ben Butler, active member

Jim Levi, wilderness paramedic and active member

Dr. Denise Fair, active member

Tim Davidson, active member

Tom Tunner, active member

Will Scott, active member

Zak Slutsky, active member

Cliff Edwards, active member

Billy Hanley, active member

Shawn Gorea, active member