Subject: Information

Beginning in late 2017, SCVSAR started to assemble a new team to enable the use of drones, which are more formally known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), as a new tool to help with searches and other missions supported by SCVSAR. The new team has been structured to follow policies that have been put in place by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office on the use of UAV’s, and SCVSAR received an official go ahead to begin utilizing UAV’s on missions in March of this year. Part of the policy that was put in place requires that the individuals who will be piloting the UAV’s be compliant with FAA regulations, which require that they pass an FAA-mandated test in addition to passing both a written and a flight test within SCVSAR. To date, SCVSAR has approved seven individuals through the pilot approval process and these are known as Remote Pilots in Command or RPIC’s. SCVSAR has deployed UAV’s on over nine missions so far this year, and on each of these missions the UAV’s are showing significant value by enabling the search of areas too difficult or too hazardous for members of our ground teams to search. In addition, we are […]

We’ve had major changes for Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue with personnel movement in the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office SAR leadership since the last newsletter. With the retirement of Sergeant Danny Wikstrom and the career move of Sergeant Scot Fenter, Sergeant John Adams will be picking up the reins. These changes were the first in a very long time and brought out a variety of emotions. As with any change in circumstances, our SAR volunteers masterfully reviewed the situation, addressed any concerns, and became resolute in our support of the decisions these fine men made. Amidst all of the change and recognition of service, there was a lingering feeling of loss that was so eloquently addressed by Mike Loney, one of our senior and very sage members. As many members were lamenting loss, Mike spoke of how we are to carry on by recognizing what has been given to us by the experiences we’ve had, the support we’ve been provided, the friendship, and the camaraderie. I invite you to read Mike’s tribute and to remember that you, our public support, are also a big part of what makes Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue what it is. Each time you […]

Sgt. John Q. Adams has been with the Snohomish County Sheriff since he left the U.S. Marine Corps in 1996. John served 10 years as a patrol deputy in South Snohomish County and was promoted to Master Patrol Deputy while there. He has served in Property Crimes, as a member of SWAT and as a Dive Team member. He is also a member of Everett Mountain Rescue. John has a strong interest in the wilderness of Snohomish County and began preparing to apply for the SAR Sargent position before it was open. He went on a few missions to get to know how SAR operated, learn policies and be ready when the job opened. This year our SAR Sargent for the last 22+ years, Sgt. Danny Wikstrom, retired. Sgt. Adams was ready and applied for the position. He received his appointment to SAR Sargent in February and is ready just in time for the 2018 rescue season. We look forward to working with Sgt. Adams!

We were both honored and humbled to attend the 10th Annual Tulalip Tribes Raising Hands Celebration of Community Service where SCVSAR was featured! #TulalipTribes #RaisingHands #SearchAndRescue #ThatOthersMayLive

  In late 2016 we came to the conclusion that our aging food truck wasn’t going to last much longer. Our volunteers depend on the food truck when we are out on long missions – there is nothing better than coming off the mountain cold and wet and having a warm meal ready! Once we figured out what a replacement was going to cost we started our fundraising efforts. And thanks to many of you the new truck will soon be operational! A big boost came when Taco Time Northwest donated a Food Truck body that we could rework and reconfigure for our needs. That was followed by many generous donations from individuals in the community. Grant support has also been a vital component and we are grateful to the Tulalip Tribes Charitable Contribution Funds Program and The Leland J. and Dorothy H. Olson Charitable Foundation for their significant contributions to making the truck a reality. By the time we send out our next newsletter, the truck should be fully operational. Stay tuned for pictures when it is all done!

On a mild Saturday afternoon in May of 2016, a group of teens embarked on a day-hike to Blanca Lake, in the remote Cascade Mountains.  As they hiked up the steep trail they had no way of knowing that one of them would soon be lost and in peril. They had no way of knowing that their plans would dramatically alter the Mother’s Day plans of Search and Rescue volunteers from across seven counties. They had no way of knowing how many strangers would sacrifice their time to search hazardous mountain terrain for someone they had never met. As the teens worked their way up the arduous trail, they encountered snow above 3000 feet, making the trail slippery and hard to follow.  Soon, one member of the group, an 18 year old female, decided she did not want to continue.  She informed her friends that she would hike back down alone and meet them at the trailhead. Late in the afternoon, when the group returned to the trail head their friend was not there.  After waiting some time and trying to find her they called 911 at 9PM that night.  Local Sheriff Deputies responded and were unable to reach her […]

  Whether you consider yourself a hard-core outdoor enthusiast or just an occasional backcountry explorer, learn more about when you should call Search and Rescue, what information you should provide, how long a typical response takes, and more.   QUESTION: How do I call Search and Rescue? ANSWER: The only way to get in touch with Search and Rescue in Snohomish County is to call 911. The initial call may be handled by King County, Washington State Patrol or other dispatch agencies depending on where you are. Explain the nature of your emergency and, if you are in the backcountry, where you are and the trailhead you accessed. 911 will need this information in case you need to get transferred to SNOPAC for the Snohomish County Sheriff. They will have someone from Search and Rescue call you. QUESTION: What if I don’t have cell service? ANSWER: You can try texting 911 regardless of if you have cellular phone services available at your location. You may be instructed to turn off the phone to conserve battery life, and turn it on at scheduled intervals to text 911 and update them on the patient’s status. (Click here for more information about Text […]