Join Our Team

Become part of a dedicated team of volunteer rescue professionals

Thank you for your interest in joining the Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue. We are a tight-knit passionate group of rescue professionals dedicated to saving lives through search and rescue operations.

There are many ways to serve - and whether you're in the field or supporting operations at command, volunteers are only ever asked to serve on missions that are good matches for their skill level and experience. We’re looking for dedicated men and women who have a heart of service and who “show up when the call comes”. Perhaps that person is you…

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for membership in SCVSAR you need to meet the following requirements:

Sound Judgement

The ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment in sometimes tense or stressful situations.

Followership

A willingness to take direction from senior SCVSAR volunteers or Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office personnel.

Fitness

For field personnel, be physically fit enough to perform assigned tasks. This means the ability to hike the trails commonly found in Snohomish County while carrying a 15-30lb backpack. Field personnel often work off-trail, moving through thick brush and vegetation and uneven, steep terrain.

Age Requirement

SCVSAR welcomes members ages 14 and up. Members under 18 may participate either with a parent/guardian or as part of the Explorer Search and Rescue (ESAR) unit.

Background Check

Able to pass a background check by the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

Growth Mindset

Embraces change and seeks to create an inclusive and equitable environment

Time Commitment

The amount of time you'll have to dedicate is not trivial. To maintain active status, members must respond to missions and complete training. Missions often come at the most inopportune times — a rainy Sunday evening just as you are about to eat dinner is pretty typical.

Self-paced training

Complete required self-paced training modules before your first mission.

SAR academy

Finish the two-day overnight SAR academy as part of onboarding.

Volunteer hours

Contribute a minimum of 16 volunteer hours annually in meetings, training, or operations.

Readiness

Maintain required personal equipment and mission readiness for periodic activations.

Application Process

Ready to take the next step? Here's how the application process works:

Reach Out

Attend Meetings

Attend a local unit meeting as directed by our volunteer coordinator to learn more about the unit and ask questions

Apply

Complete formal application and background check to be considered for membership

Rolling Review

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year

Ready to Get Started?

If you are interested in joining SCVSAR, the next step is to contact us via email.

For membership questions, contact us at volunteer@scvsar.org

Under 18? Check out our Explorer SAR unit for youth opportunities in search and rescue.