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Search and Rescue Teams

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Search and Rescue Teams

The Marion County Sheriff's Office is responsible for Search and Rescue throughout Marion County, under ORS 404.110.  The MCSO Search and Rescue Team consists of Search and Rescue Overhead Deputies and Volunteers to carry out duties including: searching for individuals who are lost, missing, or deceased in outdoor urban, rural, or wilderness areas. Our team of highly trained and motivated volunteers brings special skills, equipment, and their personal time to assist the Sheriff in providing exceptional Search and Rescue services.

If you are interested in joining Search and Rescue, please contact the Sheriff's Office SAR Coordinator at: volunteer@sar.gomcso.com.

Sheriff Search & Rescue patch



All applicants must:

  • Submit a volunteer application to Volunteer@sar.gomcso.com
  • Be selected by an interview panel.
  • Pass a thorough police background investigation.
  • Satisfactorily complete our Oregon State Sheriffs' Association certified Search and Rescue Academy (Held April- June each year).
  • Possess a current, valid Oregon driver's license (except for some Team 18 youth).
  • Become First Aid and CPR certified.
  • Attend monthly meetings (Third Tuesday of each month) and monthly trainings (Saturday following the monthly meeting).
  • All Members must complete 30 hours of ongoing training each year. OSSA SAR Core Competency Standards:
    • Map and compass
    • First Aid
    • Locating downed aircraft
    • Treating hypothermia and heat stroke
    • Crime scene procedures
    • Knots and ropes for evacuation
    • Search procedures and patterns
    • Person tracking techniques
    • Wilderness survival
    • Radio Communications
    • Incident Command System (ICS)

Search and Rescue Resources: Most Search and Rescue volunteers are Type 3 (Ground Searchers) or above and also provide additional support through one of our specialty resources.

Jeep Patrol

  • Mission: To provide search and rescue services, with an emphasis on 4-wheel-drive vehicles.
  • Required Equipment: Personal survival equipment. A complete equipment list is supplied by the Team.
  • Additional Information: A 4-wheel-drive vehicle is not required, but is recommended. On a search, every vehicle has a driver and co-driver. There are many responsibilities in addition to driving. 
 

Equestrian SAR

  • Mission: (1)To provide Search and Rescue services, with the primary emphasis on the use of horses.
  • Minimum Age:  21
  • Required Training: In addition to the general criteria for membership in a SAR Team, members of the Equestrian SAR Team are required to receive 30-hours of continued training each year to maintain their status as an equestrian resource.
  • Required Equipment: Horse, trailer/truck, personal survival equipment and tack. (A complete list is provided by the Resource Leader.)
  • Additional Information: The horse and rider must be able to ride safely in rough mountainous terrain, among crowds, in parades and in a wide variety of conditions and circumstances.
Equestrian SAR



Communications

  • Mission: To provide radio communication for all search teams and support for base operations.
  • Required Training: Additional training is required in radio protocol and communications.
  • Membership Requirements: Applicant must have an interest in radio communications and a desire to serve the public.
  • Required Equipment: Personal survival equipment. (A complete list of equipment is provided by the Resource Leader.)

Special Vehicles

  • Mission: To provide Search and Rescue services, with the primary emphasis on the use of ATVs and drones.
  • Capabilities: Support and assist all SAR teams on search and rescue missions with recovery and transport capabilities over adverse terrain in all weather conditions.  Ability to deploy in urban, suburban and wilderness environments.  Self sustaining for a minimum of 48 hours.

  • Special Vehicles Unit ATV Minimum Age: 21 

  • Required Training: In addition to training required for SAR membership, complete an ATV safety course as prescribed by the ATV Safety Institute.  
  • Required Equipment: A 4x4 utility ATV (quad) / Snowmobile , meeting State of Oregon required standards for ATV’s/Snowmobiles.

 

Team 18 (Youth Resource)

  • Mission: To provide personnel for ground searches for missing persons, evidence of crimes, and other related missions.
  • Minimum Age: 14
  • Required Training: All members must complete 30-hours of continued training each year and respond to a minimum 50% of the searches.
  • Membership Requirements: None.
  • Required Equipment: Must provide basic survival equipment, hiking boots, sleeping bag. Loaner equipment is available to those who
  • cannot initially afford to purchase equipment. Eventually, each member must provide their own equipment.
  • Additional Information: Members over 21 years of age will serve as leaders and instructors for the younger members, not as first-line search personnel.  

Food Services (Chuck Wagon)

  • Mission: To provide essential nutritional meals and logistical support during SAR missions.



 Team 18 members

 
 

Team Contact Information

Sgt. Matt Wilkinson - SAR Coordinator, mwilkinson@co.marion.or.us, 503-932-1397

Deputy Kayla Thompson - SAR Recruiting and Records, volunteer@sar.gomcso.com, 503-302-3794