Subject: Search and Rescue

Among our other technical rescue specialties, SAR has a dedicated team that is trained and equipped to perform searches and rescues in our hazardous water environments. Waterways in Snohomish County are scenic destinations that offer excellent recreation opportunity, and are critical to the environment. But water features can be as dangerous as they are magnificent. The Snohomish County SAR Swiftwater Rescue Team is trained and equipped to accomplish search missions and conduct rescue missions in, around and under our area waterways: • Puget Sound shoreline and tidal areas • Arterial river systems (locally Skykomish, Snohomish, Stillaguamish & Sauk) • Dozens of large and hundreds of smaller tributaries • Frontcountry and backcountry lakes in their hundreds • Technical watercourse/waterfall terrain (typically involving rope access & transport) Like other elements of Search & Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue is on call 24/7. The Swiftwater Rescue Team is made up entirely of volunteers who dedicate considerable time and effort to being well trained and equipped so that we can perform our rescue mission when called upon to help others in our community. In addition, our team is a critical component of area emergency response during flood conditions. The nature of water rescue is that we […]

Randy Fay, Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue President While we are still actively engaged in the 2017 rescue season, I have been reflecting on the year to date. We started off at a frantic pace as the late snow melt created problems for climbers and hikers anxious to get into the mountains and this resulted in many rescues. From mid-season until now we have had an unsettling number of tragedies to deal with in water related accidents. Now we face the transition into our Fall and Winter outdoor activities seasons. Time for all of us to lay out our gear and start advanced planning related to the hazards and challenges that the colder weather will bring to the surface. It is more important than ever to carry your 10 essentials plus. Hypothermia is our greatest enemy in the cold and wet weather of the northwest and is a strong contributor to having a worse outcome in an emergency. Please plan carefully and prudently. SCVSAR will be well prepared to help should you encounter unexpected difficulties. Our teams are constantly training for the challenges that each season brings. Enjoy the Fall season in the mountains and stay safe.

SEATTLE, Wash. – Search and rescue teams across the region spent the weekend responding to hikers in trouble. To read the original KOMO article by Kara Kostanich in its entirety, please click here. Then, Tuesday afternoon a team was called to help three stranded hikers at Rattlesnake Ledge, but as the team was arriving the group was able to self-rescue. “We’ve had several calls, almost every day over this weekend we’ve had several calls for service,” said Alan Labissoniere, a volunteer with King County Search and Rescue. The Snohomish County Search and Rescue team has been on seven rescue missions since Saturday. On Monday teams in King County rescued an injured hiker from Gem Lake area.   “I’ve definitely seen people hiking up into pretty remote areas in tennis shoes, cotton jeans and t-shirts,” said Steve Smith who is a Climbing Education Manager at the Mountaineers. “When that stuff gets wet up high it does not hold an insulating value at all.”   At the Snow Lake Trialhead near Snoqualmie Pass, hikers Jaime Siridakris and Ashley Daneker admitted lack of gear was their mistake on the trial. “There a lot of snow,” said Daneker. “Nikes are not the appropriate foot wear […]

  Rikki King, Everett Herald SNOHOMISH — Children go straight for the buttons and levers. “It’s amazing to see their eyes and the expression when they’re at the controls,” said Bill Quistorf, the chief pilot for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. “They’re in another world. They’re flying a helicopter.” The sheriff’s office frequently sends its helicopters to fairs, parades and festivals. Children line up to climb through the cabin while parents snap pictures. An exciting new attraction is coming in the form of a refurbished vintage helicopter… read more at the Everett Herald by clicking here.

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 […]

Randy Fay, Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue President As we kind of “slop” our way into this year’s Spring season our personnel are emerging from a winter of extensive training in all disciplines, refurbishing equipment, pre-planning for the upcoming remote area rescue season and conducting our recently held Safety Summit.  We recognize that maintaining a strong vigilance related to safety can be a perishable skill so annually we stand down the organization to conduct a day of safety-themed classes and equipment inspection.  Our highest priority as an organization is to focus on the things that will ensure the safety of our members and those we serve. As our eyes turn to the approaching increase in our mission workload I want to encourage you to conduct your own family safety summit as you prepare to return to enjoying your outdoor sports and recreation.  Please haul out your equipment, check it over, think through the risks you may be exposed to this season and plan accordingly. As we look back on 50 years of service to the community, we also look forward to serving for years to come!  Stay tuned as we roll out some celebratory events this year! Thank you for your […]

On August 19, 1958 then Sheriff Bob Twitchell signed a letter authorizing the setup of a land, air and sea rescue unit as part of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. An article in the Everett Herald said: “A 14-man team is trained and officially designated and ready to tackle this county’s search and rescue missions. The team is called the Snohomish County Search and Rescue Unit…The men who comprise the unit—the county’s first organization set up solely for search and rescue – went through a stiff 28-week training course, one that honed and broadened skills needed for their job. Now they are a compact unit ready to move quickly to any trouble spot in the area.” And from those beginnings, in the midst of a record heatwave, on August 22, 1967 a new nonprofit was born. Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue, Inc. was formed as an independent organization, but still working closely with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. So, now 50 years later it is time to celebrate! In the years since 1967 we have continued to grow from that original team of 14 men to nearly 300 men and women volunteers who respond to search and rescue missions […]

We Remember – Oso Strong! On March 22, 2014 we were called out on a mission like no other, before or since. On that day, a wall of mud came tumbling down in what was soon to be known as the Oso Landslide. When the page came out, our search and rescue teams mobilized, not knowing that we would be searching for weeks. Our Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team was early on the scene and was vital to rescuing some of the survivors. For more than 30 long days, we searched until every last victim was found and laid to rest. And then, we grieved with our community for what had been lost. So today, we remember those that were lost that terrible day, and we celebrate a community that is vital and strong and resilient. We will never forget. #Oso #OsoStrong #SCVSAR #SearchAndRescue