In 1984, New York State passed legislation that placed the authority to establish, maintain, and operate search and rescue missions across the state on the Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers. Knowing they would need help, they set up a basic course for volunteers. Two years later, in 1986, a Boy Scout Explorer Post, headed by John Washburn from the Broadalbin area, took this course. This group was called Post 51 (hence the team 5-1). This new team was also the first team in Region 5, also making "5-1" an appropriate moniker. When the older teens became adults they formed the present Search team of 5-1 of today.

Over the years we have aided NY State DEC Rangers in dozens of searches, providing assistance in numerous positive outcome results. The Team services the Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie, Schenectady, Saratoga, and Hamilton counties, as well as others as needed. We work as "unpaid volunteer employees" for the DEC, and side-by-side with other search and rescue teams through the New York State Federation of Search & Rescue. Search Team 5-1 has also contributed their time and experience to various community projects, such as assisting the Boy Scouts in a Disaster Preparedness Training drill, and have been asked to teach map and compass classes to Boy Scouts, ADK hiking chapters and Volunteer Firemen.

All members are properly trained, and many of our members have extensive wilderness experience (including licensed guides). We currently have a roster of around 100 members. They range in age from 16 to 72, and come from a variety of employment backgrounds. Each member has in common a desire to work together in the outdoors, helping the community to find one of its lost members.

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