Lake County Search and Rescue

Lake County Search & Rescue Units

The following SAR units provide services in our community. Membership is restricted to approved applicants. All SAR unit membership is open to both male and female. No applicant will be denied membership meeting unit criteria, on the basis of race, creed, color, religion or sex. The application is essentially the same for all units; you will need to fill out an application turn it into the Sheriff's Office. All applicants will have a background, criminal history, and driving record check. Applications and information can be obtained from any SAR unit or from the Sheriff's Office.

• SAR Communications Team: This unit assists with communication between searchers in the field and search management teams at the command post, disseminating information and transcribing radio traffic during missions. 

• Lake County Ground Search and Rescue: The purpose of the Lake County Ground SAR is to perform general search and rescue tasks over various terrain types in all weather conditions. This is the vast majority of members in SAR. Many of these members are also involved in the other groups as well. Along with SAR missions on the ground, this group also supports the Sheriff when called upon to assist with emergency evacuations, traffic control at large events and other tasks as necessary. 

• Lake County Snow Cat: This team have extensive training involving snow rescues. The snow cat team operates a Tucker Snow Cat along with specifically equipped UTVs to conduct these types of operations. The Snow Cat team works in conjunction with 4x4 teams and Mountain Rescue teams.

• Lake County K-9 Search and Rescue: This unit utilizes trained dog and handler teams in an effort to help locate missing persons and evidence for SAR.

• Logistics: This unit supports searchers and search management teams by transporting, housing and supplying equipment and resources on missions and activities. Some examples would be food, shelter (i.e. tents, heaters) and arranging transportion. 

• Mountain Rescue: This unit's specialty is alpine and vertical (rope rescue). The Mountain Rescue unit also provides ground search functions when applicable.

• Tracking: The tracking team is a trained group of SAR members who have special skills in reading sign and tracking subjects over various terrains.

Applying for Search & Rescue

If you want to join Search and Rescue please print the Application (PDF) and return it to the Sheriff's Office, Search and Rescue Division. The application has to be a signed original (we can not accept a faxed or emailed application).

The Lake County Sheriff's Office follows the Oregon Sheriffs' Association's and Oregon Emergency Management's "Minimum Standards for SAR Certification Training." The document that outlines these standards is available at the Sheriff's Office.