The volunteers of Jefferson Search and Rescue are dedicated to search and rescue as well as public education services. Together, we annually spend hundreds of hours in community service on searches, rescues and demanding training missions designed to give members the skills required by state and national rescue agencies. We are always open to new members interested in contributing to the goals of the organization.
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 themselves call for assistance. Callouts can range from overdue mushroom hunters to downed aircraft. Missions occur in Jefferson County (including the West End) and outside the county.
What Can I Contribute?
The needs of the organization are quite varied, and nobody is required to fill every role. People with logistical skills but bad knees can fill roles that don’t require bashing through brush. People who just want to hit the trail don’t have to be assigned command-post roles. 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, observational prowess, good communication, organization, physical stamina, emergency medical experience and experience with backcountry evacuation. Technical climbing experience is a plus but not required.
JSAR attracts people who like being outdoors, being physically fit, rising to challenges, working as a team and making an important contribution to the well-being of their community – or any combination of those motivations. Most people interested in search and rescue are trail runners, mountain bikers, hikers and/or climbers – or they are interested in becoming better and safer hikers and climbers. However, ground crews need support including training, non-profit management, fundraising, outreach, incident management, radio communications, on- and off-road 4×4 vehicles, GIS mapping and all of the other capabilities necessary to maintain the organization and to run efficient and safe missions.
JSAR attracts people who like being outdoors, being physically fit, rising to challenges, working as a team and making an important contribution to the well-being of their community – or any combination of those motivations. Most people interested in search and rescue are trail runners, mountain bikers, hikers and/or climbers – or they are interested in becoming better and safer hikers and climbers. However, ground crews need support including training, non-profit management, fundraising, outreach, incident management, radio communications, on- and off-road 4×4 vehicles, GIS mapping and all of the other capabilities necessary to maintain the organization and to run efficient and safe missions.
What Do It Cost to Participate?
Each volunteer needs to have adequate personal gear to allow them to remain safe and healthy in inclement weather and wet, rough terrain – though each volunteer should only accept assignments for which they are prepared and equipped. You’ll need other personal gear depending on your role: Climbing gear, snow-travel gear, etc. You may already own most of it.
Volunteers are expected to provide their own transportation to meetings and missions, though we try to assemble and carpool to most missions.
There is no monetary gain from being involved, although you will have access to plenty of 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).
Volunteers are expected to provide their own transportation to meetings and missions, though we try to assemble and carpool to most missions.
There is no monetary gain from being involved, although you will have access to plenty of 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 “boot camp” 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 “boot camp” 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.
