Fifty eight volunteer deputy sheriff's and one medic currently serve on the Orange County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team.  They are considered to be the agency's "go to" deputies when any emergency situation arises.  They are trained to handle large, unruly crowds, riots, provide long-term and specialized support during a natural disaster, and provide manpower and support during search and recovery operations.  Because they are trained to quickly mobilize and do it all they are, in a sense, the swiss army knife, of the sheriff's office. 

During 2008 members of the team attended 4900 hours of training and responded to three significant call outs.  They played an active role in an evidence search in a heavily wooded area in East Orange County following the discovery of a murder victim.  They stood ready when the agency learned of the possiblity of gang violence during a high profile funeral, and played an instrumental role in keeping the peace during a major area sporting event.