Some of the SAR teams here in Colo. definetly have nice expensive equipment. In some cases (El Paso, Cty) it depends on your sponsor, in other cases (Alpine, Larimer Cty., Rocky Mtn.) , it helps to have the right people, in the right "locations" and "affiliations" with the state. I spent 5 yrs with Gilpin County, resigned when I got married and by the time I was able to get back into it, they had disbanded. The Sheriff and one of the Sgt's definetly supported us, unfortunately the money just wasn't there (sad given all the casino's in the area), I remember one call-out where the one Sgt. berated the leadership of another group who responded to a call within Gilpin Cty. instead of passing the call on to us. We didn't know they were called out until they requested an ambulance for their victim. When the tone went out for that, the Sgt. advised dispatch to tone SAR as well to respond/assist. When it was done, he and the Sheriff let the other team know that in the future they needed to advise us what they were doing first.