The volunteers of Jefferson Search and Rescue are dedicated to search and rescue as well as public education. Together, we spend hundreds of hours per year on SAR operations and training- it is a lot of rewarding work. We are always grateful for new members with an attitude for teamwork and willingness to contribute their experience and time to the team.
Interested in joining? See answers to common questions below, see the Training Requirements page to find the paperwork to get started, and make plans to visit a JSAR meeting.
What Does a JSAR Volunteer Do?
JSAR volunteers assist the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, National Park Service and other agencies. Most calls are when backcountry travelers are reported overdue or they themselves call for assistance. Callouts can range from lost mushroom hunters to downed aircraft to injured climbers. Missions occur in Jefferson County (including the West End) and outside the county.
What Can I Contribute?
The needs of the organization are varied, and nobody is required to fill every role. People with logistical skills can fill roles that don’t require being on ground teams. Ground crews need support including training, non-profit management, fundraising, outreach, incident management, radio communications, GIS mapping and facilities maintenance. Knowing the interests and skills you can bring to the organization is the key to making sure that there is a good fit. The skills that are the most sought-after include off-trail navigation, situational awareness, good communication, organization, physical fitness, emergency medical experience and critical thinking. Climbing, mountaineering, hunting, backpacking, backcountry skiing or whitewater paddling experience is a plus but not required. Mechanical skills and the ability to operate off-road vehicles and a chainsaw is also a plus.
What Do It Cost to Participate?
The purchase of any search and rescue specific equipment is not required and most members operate with the same equipment they normally use to be in the outdoors. Radios, satellite messengers and first aid supplies are supplied by the team during missions.
In most cases volunteers provide their own transportation to missions as this expedites our response time.
There is no monetary gain from being involved, although you will have access to specialized training at no cost to you. As Washington State emergency workers when on training and actual missions, JSAR volunteers are covered by the state against loss and injury (see WAC 118-04 for details).
In most cases volunteers provide their own transportation to missions as this expedites our response time.
There is no monetary gain from being involved, although you will have access to specialized training at no cost to you. As Washington State emergency workers when on training and actual missions, JSAR volunteers are covered by the state against loss and injury (see WAC 118-04 for details).
How Do I Volunteer?
We encourage prospective volunteers to visit a couple of our meetings first. Get to know the current members, find out what we do and see where you can plug in. You can visit these meetings any time of year, and all age ranges (14 and older) and ability levels are welcome. Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month beginning at 7 PM at our headquarters hosted by Discovery Bay Volunteer Fire and Rescue adjacent to their station 5-1.
What Happens When I Volunteer?
The Training Requirements page lists an overview of what happens next. Those interested in applying to be a volunteer must submit an application and related paperwork and pass a background check. Next, prospective volunteers must complete online FEMA courses and pass a multiple-choice test on the roles and responsibilities of emergency workers.
JSAR’s annual training for new volunteers takes place during monthly meetings in the spring and culminates in a two-day field exercise. After completion of these basic training requirements, volunteers are added to the call-out roster.
JSAR’s annual training for new volunteers takes place during monthly meetings in the spring and culminates in a two-day field exercise. After completion of these basic training requirements, volunteers are added to the call-out roster.
How Much Routine Training Is Required?
The ongoing business of being a part of JSAR involves attending an evening meeting on the second Wednesday of each month. The meetings consist of a business meeting with a training segment. Typically, field training occurs the following Saturday. Additional training opportunities, such as Wilderness First Aid class and optional climbs, are offered outside the regular schedule. See the Training Requirements page to see a list of some optional opportunities for further training.
How Often Will I Have to Respond?
Calls come at any time of the day or night, any day of the year, and there is little pattern to how many or how often. Active volunteers are notified of missions via smartphone app, text message, email or phone call and asked to respond with availability. We currently use a service called Active911 to manage notifications and responses. Participation in any mission is up to the discretion of the member, and there is no reliable pattern to when or how often missions occur.
When Do I Formally Join the Organization?
Formal voting membership in the non-profit entity that is JSAR is separate from becoming an active volunteer but comes with steady participation in training in accordance with our by-laws, generally after a year of dedicated involvement.
