When it comes to search and rescue teams, there is none quite like the one from Arapahoe County.

''We are the only search and rescue team based on teenagers in the country," says Captain Jake Gunn, who is also 17 years old and attending high school.

When called on, more than 30 teenagers in the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol are available to find missing people or assist in a variety of other emergencies. "We're trained in swift water, we're trained in haz-mat situations, project lifesaver, we're trained in avalanche search and rescue, we're getting called to fires for the Littleton Police Department all the time," says Gunn.

The organization started nearly 53 years ago, and has always maintained its teenager staffing. Currently, an adult Board of Directors and Chief Staff support the kids as they train and respond to emergencies.

While many kids their age are sitting in front of the television playing video games that have them killing things, these young adults are changing some adults’ perspective. "Sometimes, adults think of teenagers as not responsible, but when they see us working up here like this they're like, holy cow there are really good teenagers out there that really want to help out," explains Gunn.

This week, the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol was called to help search for a missing Fremont County woman. Beth Rice was last seen Saturday afternoon in Florence. Monday afternoon, an article of her clothing was found by search teams near the Arkansas River. Tuesday afternoon, another piece was found in the river.

Many of the teenagers have been in Florence since Monday night, assisting in the search effort. Jake Gunn has missed two days of school because of this, but says his teachers and the school administrators understand and support the the organization and its mission. Still, he and the other students are expected to keep their grades up no matter how much time they miss. "We're all full-time students, so juggling search and rescue with full-time school is kind of tough, for sure," says Caitlin Riggs, a 15-year-old and regular member of the team.

For Riggs, and many others on the search and rescue team, the experience has been very rewarding. "I definitely feel really good, especially when we find someone who is missing. I actually have a lot of things to show for it and the training I have is really unique and it's a great organization," says Riggs.

Meanwhile, Gunn has taken something else away from his experiences. "It builds your leadership skills up a lot. I really do see myself, many years from now, as the chief of a certain fire company or something like that, because I've really gained those skills and knowledge by learning all this at such a young age," says Gunn.

For more information about the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol click the link below.