Search and Rescue

An affiliation of volunteer groups formed to coordinate search and rescue activity, and to promote outdoor safety education. Coordinating Agency; Spokane City/County D.E.M.

SAR Index

• Civil Air Patrol
• Spokane Water Rescue Team
• Explorer Search and Rescue (ESAR)
• Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)
• Inland Empire Bloodhounds
• Winter Knights Snowmobile Club
• Spokane Mountaineers Search and Rescue 
• Spokane County Mounted Search and Rescue

Per RCW 38.52.400 The chief law enforcement officer of each political sub-division is responsible for the search and rescue activities. In Spokane County this is primarily the Sheriff's Department where it has been assigned to the Department of Emergency Management. The Department of Emergency Management has trained coordinators, both volunteer and paid professionals. All SAR deputies have assigned vehicles and respond immediately upon notification. The department has full equipped mobile command post, 4x4 vehicles, boats and snowmobiles at its disposal.

Civil Air Patrol Civil Air Patrol is used for downed aircraft, assisting in missing and lost persons.
Spokane Water Rescue Team The Spokane Water Rescue Team is an all volunteer rescue and recovery team with a Deputy Sheriff as their coordinator. The team is trained in both swift water and underwater rescue through Dive Rescue International. The team also responds to water related calls throughout the inland northwest in support of the agencies that do not have dive rescue capabilities.
Explorer Search And Rescue (ESAR) Just one of many ESAR programs in the state of Washington. ESAR trains youth and young adults in search and rescue techniques, survival, communications, first-aid. They are used by the Sheriff and Police in missing and lost person searches along with evidence recovery in many major crimes.
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) provides amateur radio communications during disasters, Parades, Fun runs.
Inland Empire Bloodhounds The purpose of Inland Empire Bloodhounds is to provide trained bloodhound services and assistance for search and rescue operations, and to meet the standards of the Washington State Administrative Code.
Winter Knights Snowmobile Club The Winter Knights Snowmobile Club assist in search and rescue operations in winter snow conditions.
Spokane Mountaineers Search and Rescue (SMSAR) Spokane Mountaineers Search and Rescue (SMSAR) is an adult search and rescue team that is willing and able to provide highly motivated and well-trained search and rescue volunteers when the community needs them, anytime, anywhere. We serve so that others may live.
Spokane County Mounted Search and Rescue Spokane County Mounted Search and Rescue provides horse and mule resources to the SAR Community. In addition to searching on horseback, SCMSAR has the ability to pack people and equipment in to remote locations, and evacuate subjects with minor injuries.