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Application Information

The decision to pursue membership needs to be carefully examined by each individual. Our rescuers commonly embark on missions as small teams that are expected to be completely self-sufficient for up to 24 hours in the mountains; and must have the capacity to provide emergency care to the distressed party. Because of these unique demands mountaineers wishing to become part of Bellingham Mountain Rescue must be comfortable traveling and working in steep, exposed, mountain terrain, in all weather and all seasons. Members must own equipment and clothing suited to operating in the North Cascades year-round and have a strong foundation of mountain travel skills, such as the following: 

• Formal training in glacier travel and crevasse rescue, avalanche safety and rescue, and several years of mountaineering experience is standard
• Competent at navigation in an alpine environment 
• Route-finding on glaciers 
• Self-rescue skills like ascending a rope and pulley systems 
• Belaying and rappelling 
• Knots and ropework 
• Self-arrest and climbing with an ice-axe 
• AIARE and WFR certification are encouraged but not required. 
• A valid first-aid and CPR card is the minimum required medical training
• Applicants must show a history of sound decision-making and leadership in the mountains, as well as the ability to work productively as part of a team. 

Our organization trains in group rescue and search skills, not in basic mountain travel. All applicants must pass a background check from the Whatcom County department of Emergency Management. 

Members must commit to attending missions, training, and meetings throughout the year in order to create and maintain a culture of cohesiveness, professionalism and mission readiness.

Support Members

Those wishing to become part of the unit to provide support in a non-field capacity such as administrative, fundraising/grant writing, and base operations may apply to be a support member. Please write a letter to the board detailing how you wish to be involved in the unit, and what your qualifications are, and the board will evaluate your proposal when it is vetting new member applications.

Orientation Dates and Application Deadline:

We process new-member applications once a year, at the end of summer. Please apply by August 1st. We hold new member orientation training in early fall, typically at the beginning of October.

The application process:

1. Complete the BMR application form here.
2. Qualified Applicants will be interviewed by one or more board members. 3. The board of BMR will vote on your application. 
3. Approved Members will submit a Background Check as well as an Emergency Worker Registration Card. 

All applications are reviewed by an 8-member board of directors and voted on individually. Applications can be submitted at any time once all of the necessary forms are completed, however, they are only reviewed once annually to coincide with our new membership orientations held in the fall.