Search & Rescue Unit
http://www.mcsosar.com/

MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to enhance the safety of the public who reside, work, or recreate in the remote areas of Multnomah County by forming partnerships with volunteer organizations dedicated to the prevention of, and prompt response to, emergencies involving lost or injured persons, or created by natural disasters.

By Oregon Revised Statutes, the Sheriff of each respective county is responsible for the administration and operational aspects of all Search and Rescue (SAR) activities in their County.

Under this mandate, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office maintains the Search and Rescue Unit under the Law Enforcement Division. The unit is composed of eight Law Enforcement Deputies and Sergeants trained in the Incident Command System, Managing Search Operations, and Search and Rescue standards as set forth by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association.

The function of the unit is to:

• Facilitate and coordinate all search and rescue activities and resources within the unincorporated areas of Multnomah County, and to perform the same functions, when requested, within the incorporated municipalities of Multnomah County.

• By Intergovernmental Agreement, and upon request, lend Search and Rescue assistance to other counties
• Provide assistance to the Office of Emergency Management during times of disaster or public emergency

The main focus of the SAR Unit is to provide planning, preparedness, and the coordination of resources.For field resources, like most other counties in Oregon, Multnomah County relies on a number of highly trained volunteer SAR organizations for the personnel needed to conduct SAR missions. This allows for the highest quality SAR services at the least cost to the citizens of Multnomah County and the state of Oregon.

Youth can begin certification training at 13 years old provided they turn 14 years old by June of the following year from when training commences. Training begins around the third week of September each year. Certification testing is in May. Those with experience may be able to start later than September.