Search and Rescue Programs

Sheriff's Office

The Skagit County Volunteer Search and Rescue (SAR) Program provides the county with the presence of highly trained and skilled members to assist in the location and rescue of missing and lost individuals who may be injured or in dangerous conditions and are unable to rescue themselves. Rescues and searches occur from the salt water of Puget Sound to the backcountry of the North Cascade Mountain Range.

This program has become an integral and irreplaceable part of the community and is directed under the:

Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
600 S 3rd St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Phone: 360-416-1911

SAR Sergeants
Sgt. Paul Wolfe - East Precinct
Sgt. Steve Gonzales – Marine Unit

SAR Coordinator
Deputy Kyle Wiggins

SAR Deputies
Deputy Hank Chou
Deputy Josh Meldrum
Deputy Adam Brown
Deputy Matthew Barnett

Volunteer Programs Coordinator
Vanesa Ochoa

Our dedicated and highly skilled volunteers that respond to the call for service include:

Land
	Skagit County Ground Search and Rescue (to include CareTrak) (SCGSAR)	Video \| 2023 Training Academy \| Application
	Skagit Mountain Rescue Unit (SMRU)	Application
Marine
	East County Water Rescue (ECWR)	Application \| Donation Request
	Skagit Bay Search and Rescue (SBSAR)	Information \| Application
	Skagit Technical Water Rescue (STWR)	Application
Mechanized
	4 Rivers Search and Rescue	Application
Support
	Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) RACES: Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services
Associates
	Civil Air Patrol
	US Navy
	Coast Guard
	Washington State Emergency Management Division Search and Rescue
	Skagit County Emergency Management
Each SAR volunteer group has representative(s) that are members of the Skagit Search and Rescue Council. The council is a community oriented and volunteer based non-profit organization that seeks to preserve life and health through training, search and rescue techniques and proactive education. Skagit County Search and Rescue Groups can also request funds through the council for training personnel or purchasing needed equipment. The Skagit Search and Rescue Council relies 100% on donations made by the general public and is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Visit the Skagit Search and Rescue Council website for further information or to make a donation. If you are interested in joining one or more of our dedicated and skilled groups above, or have any further questions about the program, please visit the Skagit Emergency Worker Volunteers website.