Hello friends,

Thank you for taking the time to read about the work Diesel and I do in the world of Search and Rescue (SAR).

For over ten years, I’ve proudly served as a volunteer with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Unit, where I’m part of the Mountain Rescue Team (MRTeam) — the highest level of SAR in the organization. Our team takes on some of the toughest rescues and recoveries in California and neighboring states. My specialties include Snow and Ice Rescue, Wilderness Rescue, Boulder Rescue, and Ground Tracking, and our team is nationally certified through the Mountain Rescue Association.

In addition to OCSD, I serve as a Human Remains Detection (HRD) K9 handler for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Diesel and I assist their Mountain Rescue team, crime lab, investigations, and cold case departments. We’re also one of the few K9 teams trained and certified for helicopter insert and extraction, meaning we can be deployed into areas too remote or dangerous to reach on foot.

Most recently, Diesel and I joined 6:8 International Rescue, a global disaster response team that deploys around the world. We’re proud to be their only HRD/Mountain Rescue certified team and ready to serve wherever we’re needed.

All of this work is 100% volunteer — and while it’s my life’s passion, the financial burden falls entirely on me. Every year, I spend thousands of dollars on gear, training, travel, and certifications to keep Diesel and me ready to respond when the call comes. Our equipment must meet strict industry safety standards and be regularly replaced, especially because of the high-risk environments we work in.

We spend countless hours training, driving hundreds of miles to attend specialized courses and team trainings, all to ensure our skills remain sharp. We do it because lives depend on it.

This is where I could really use your help.

Your support — whether a one-time donation or ongoing contribution — goes directly toward keeping Diesel and me mission-ready. It helps cover gear, maintenance, travel expenses, and training costs so we can continue doing what we love most: helping bring the lost home.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our mission and for supporting us in any way you can. Your generosity helps us continue to serve others — so that those who are lost can be found, and families can be reunited.

With gratitude,

Brett Roberts & Diesel

Search and Rescue / K9 HRD Team

Orange County Sheriff’s Department – Mountain Rescue Team

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – K9 / HRD

6:8 International Rescue

Follow Diesel @diesel_k9er