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 Department of Emergency Management.

SAR Index

• Civil Air Patrol
• Explorer Search and Rescue (ESAR)
• Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)
• Inland Empire Bloodhounds
• Winter Knights Snowmobile Club
• Spokane County Mounted Search and Rescue
• Inland Empire ATV Search and Rescue
• Inland Northwest Search and Rescue
• Mountain West Rescue Dogs (No website)
• Mobile Emergency Operations Center (MEOC) (No website)

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.
Intermountain Search Dogs Provides professionally trained dogs and handlers to assist with air scent, trailing, and human remains detection. 477-3009
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.
Inland Northwest Search and Rescue (INSAR) Inland Northwest Search and Rescue (INSAR) 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.
Mountain West Rescue Dogs Providing search dog teams to the Inland Empire since 1982. Teams trained in air scent, trailing, water and scent discrimination. (509) 477-3009
Mobile Emergency Operations Center Provides mobile command and control facilities for fire, law enforcement, and search and rescue needs. (509) 477-3009
Inland Empire ATV Search and Rescue Provides rapid search and resources over uneven terrain using All Terrain Vehicles.