Saving Lives in Snohomish County and Beyond

Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue's mission is to search for - and to rescue or recover - those who become lost, missing, or injured while outdoors, and to educate people on outdoor safety and wilderness recreation.

Who We Are

SCVSAR is an all-volunteer organization delivering emergency response to those in need across the county’s urban and wilderness areas. We have over 300 dedicated members, and perform more than 120 life-saving missions each year - logging over 9,500 hours of service. Our capabilities include wilderness and urban search, K-9 search, helicopter rescue, tracking, 4x4 rescue, technical swift-water and mountain rescue, and emergency first aid.

We operate in coordination with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office (SCSO), and partner with surrounding counties in supporting each other through mutual aid.

In an emergency, always dial 911.

Every SCVSAR mission is performed free of charge.

Our continued operation relies on the private donations of businesses and individuals.

Donate Now

Our Stories

Howard Lucus

I just sent you a donation because your last newsletter sent me down memory lane. About 60 years ago, I was a member of Explorer Search and Rescue, a bunch of teenage kids that assisted Mountain Search and Rescue and […]

Debra Draper

I first started when the Oso slide happened. I had a very dear friend of mine that lost his brother in the slide, and just being a person of the community I had to do something to help. The first […]

Jeff Hollowell

I moved to Washington in November 2007 and shortly after I started getting into hiking and mountaineering. I was a relatively new hiker, just learning about the mountains and gear and navigation and on June 21 2009 I went hiking […]

John McKeon

“Three Teens Trapped on Three Fingers Mountain” the news read back on Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening, August 26-27, 2008. Those were the “best-worst days” of our lives, since one of those teens was ours (and another we had custody […]

2024 Annual Newsletter

SCVSAR has published its annual newsletter – available here: 2024 Annual Newsletter

Vesper Peak Rescue

On Sunday night, September 29th, Everett Mountain Rescue (EMR) responded to a call for a hiker who suffered severe injuries after falling off trail, sliding down a wet, slippery slope, and landing on hard rock in a cold pool of […]

President’s Letter – 2024

“That Others May Live.” It’s a powerful statement spelled out across our logo and shoulder patch. But it’s more than that. It’s what we do. It’s what drives us as we regularly “go in harm’s way” to find and assist […]

Where the Rope Ends – Update

Where the Rope Ends is a documentary film about Nichole Doane’s life and her lifesaving/lifechanging rescue by SCVSAR. Since 2017, Nichole and Film Director Baylee Sinner have spent many hundreds of hours making this film, with the end goal to […]

SCVSAR Celebrates Dedication at Annual Tibke Awards Picnic

On August 17th, 2024, Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue, Inc. hosted its annual Volunteer Recognition and Awards Picnic at our headquarters, Taylor’s Landing, a cherished tradition that brings together our steadfast volunteers, their families, and associated members of the […]