Sierra Rescue was founded in order to offer quality professional courses for a multitude of individuals. We specialize in designing the best rescue class and first aid training for each group's specific needs. We are flexible with our curriculum and love the challenge of creating a class that is perfect for the environment and activities that you do. Sierra Rescue offers you the skills and the certification that you and your organization need. We also travel to your site or pick a site near you that would be appropriate.
Our Expertise
Sierra Rescue was founded in order to offer quality professional courses for a multitude of individuals. We specialize in designing the best rescue class and first aid training for each groups specific needs. We are flexible with our curriculum’s and love the challenge of creating a class that is perfect for the environment and activities that you do. Sierra Rescue offers you the skills and the certification that you and your organization need. We also travel to your site or pick a site near you that would be appropriate.
We have over 28 years of experience as front country and wilderness EMTs, wild-land and structure fire fighters, river guides, climbing and mountaineering guides, instructors in outdoor leadership, members of search and rescue teams. With our diverse background and our 15 years of teaching experience we strive to offer you the best and most fun course for your time and money. Check out our instructor page to learn more about our inspiring rescue professionals!
Instructor Profiles
Julie Munger, Founder
Currently, Julie’s job description includes being the Western Regional Director for Rescue 3 International, as well as the CEO and Founder of Sierra Rescue. She is a member of the Rescue 3 International Steering Committee, and helps in decisions affecting curriculums world wide. In addition to being Rescue 3 Instructor of the Year, Julie Munger is an internationally acclaimed white water professional, and was a member of the world champion US Women’s Rafting Team from 1985-2001. A graduate of UC Davis; as well as the University of Central Lancashire in Technical Rescue Instruction, she has been a swiftwater and technical rescue instructor for over 25 years. She is responsible for the development of the Rescue 3 International RRC and WRT program, as well as assisting in developing the Wilderness First Aid program. She integrates her practical experience with professional teaching skills.
Munger has worked as a Hot Shot Wildland Firefighter for the USFS, and has taught agencies as diverse as USAF PJ’s, Fish and Game personnel, Search and Rescue team members, Fire Fighters, Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers, river guides, kayakers, the Hoopa Tribe and the Marine Warfare Training Center. Her ability to apply specific curriculum to the agencies she teaches is one of her many assets. Julie’s lifetime accomplishments include the first self-support riverboard trip down the Grand Canyon and co-owning Arctic River Journeys. She has been featured in such magazines as Outside, Paddlers, American Whitewater and Canoe and Kayak.
Abigail Polsby, Founder
Abigail has been instructing wilderness skills for the past 10 years. She is an Instructor Trainer for Rescue 3 International and certified American Canoe Association (ACA) Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. Abigail has a strong mountaineering, First Aid and teaching background. She was a lead instructor for Hurricane Island and Colorado Outward Bound Schools and works well with all ages and abilities. Polsby is a patient and dedicated instructor. She has worked professionally and volunteered for Search and Rescue and was previously the owner/ operator of Olympic Mountain Outdoors, a guide service offering backpacking, snowshoeing and backcountry skiing trips around Washington State. She has also worked as a rafting and kayaking guide for Mountain Travel Sobek. In 1998 she founded Arctic River Journeys, an Alaska whitewater rafting outfitter. When not river guiding or teaching rescue, Abigail can be found surfing in Mexico, skiing in Tahoe, or climbing in British Columbia. Most recently, Abigail Polsby was voted Rescue 3 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer 2006 and Instructor of the Year 2013.
Visit Sierra Rescue's website to see a full list of instructors.
