(BUENA VISTA, Colo.) — Chaffee County has 12 peaks above 14,000 feet in elevation, making the county home to the greatest number of fourteeners in the state. Whether it's lost hikers on nearby 14ers or those caught in sudden winter storms, the Chaffee County Search & Rescue team is often called upon to respond to high-risk situations that demand specialized training and equipment. The Chaffee County Search & Rescue team is made up entirely of volunteers who donate their time and expertise to help others in times of crisis. Since Chaffee County is filled with difficult terrain, it is one of the few counties in the state with multiple search and rescue teams. "I think a lot of us get scared out there and I think people would be lying if they said they never got scared," said Shane Bumgarner, Training Director of Chaffee County Search and Rescue North. For Chaffee County Search & Rescue North, the mission is clear--keep the community safe while fostering a love for the outdoors. "We have people who have grown up mountaineering and skiing and rock climbing and running the rivers, and we have people like me from the Midwest who grew up with none of that stuff and had to learn it all on the fly," said Bumgarner. The team of 50 volunteers undergoes monthly training sessions, but nothing compares to being called out on a mission. "The second rescue that I ever went on, we were looking for a 4-year-old girl that had been separated from her family," said Kevin Powers, Secretary of Chaffee County Search & Rescue North. "One of my teammates that I was with heard the little girl crying out and so we went over to where she was, and she had actually gone uphill. Most people normally go downhill when they're lost, so that was surprising and we found her and we carried her back to her family and she was all good." One rescuer's most memorable mission was also the rescue that inspired others to join the team. "When I moved here, I heard on the radio one day that a 4-year-old child went missing and I just thought to myself, 'this is something I want to be part of,'" Bumgarner said. "I want to help people in that situation, I want to help people on their worst day." In addition to rescue operations, the team educated people about safety practices, the risks of the backcountry, and the importance of being prepared. "We encourage people to learn about the 10 essentials," Bumgarner explained. "That's basically a list of the 10 most important things that you should take hiking with you." For anyone looking to get outdoors this winter, the team wants you to be prepared. They recommend dressing in layers, wearing boots that will keep your feet warm and dry, plus be aware of avalanche danger.