Josephine County Sheriff's Office

Josephine County Sheriff’s

SEARCH & RESCUE DIVISION

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The Josephine County Sheriff's Patrol Search & Rescue was incorporated as a legal unit in March of 1967. This all volunteer, not-for-profit, non-political organization is not funded by any agency or county general fund dollars.

The Sheriff is responsible for every search in Josephine County, as provided under ORS 401, therefore, every active member of this organization is deputized. Subsequently, only those of high moral standards and driven to help others are accepted.

Each active member has their own personal equipment with additions provided by the organization.  Members of this organization are represented from all walks of life; willing to go on-call whenever needed, day or night.  Josephine County Search & Rescue is an all-weather, versatile unit, equipped with everything needed to conduct a well organized search.  The individuals have proven themselves available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no cost to the county.

In addition to active duty members, Search & Rescue has specialty teams for specialized rescue situations.  These teams include: the Swiftwater Rescue Team, Dive Team, Mountain Rescue Team and Confined Space/Technical Rescue Team.  

Every Member of the Josephine County Sheriff’s  SEARCH & RESCUE Division must meet certain standards and training to ensure a safe and successful search and/or rescue.  The standards are developed and maintained by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association (OSSA).  These certification standards are the minimum which meet state requirements of the Office of Emergency Management and still allow the flexibility for the specific needs or conditions in which our ground personnel operate.  The OSSA certification standards are the minimum standards for SAR personnel who will be involved in the field with ground SAR operations as well.

To obtain and maintain the Oregon State Search & Rescue Certification, each member must:

1)     Obtain and maintain at least a Basic First Aid card (or better) and a valid Health Care Provider (CPR) card.

2)     Successfully complete all performance objective skill tests and obtain a minimum score of 80 % on the written exam.

3)     Obtain a SAR certification card signed by the Sheriff of the county where the member’s SAR unit is based.

4)     Attend at least 30 hours of continuing educations, approved by the Sheriff and/or SAR coordinator, each year in a field related to Search and Rescue; to include but not limited to:

§         Oregon Revised Statute 401

§         Radio communications

§         Map and compass (land navigation)

§         Search techniques and strategy

§         Crime scene security

§         Emergency survival skills

§         Incident Command System (ICS)

§         Man tracking

§         Helicopter safety

General meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Search & Rescue facility at 250 Tech Way.  Meetings are open to the general public.  We welcome you to join us!

Applications can be either downloaded online or picked up from the front counter of the Sheriff’s Office or from a member of Search & Rescue.

For more information, please contact

Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue Division at:

(541) 474-5300 - Sara Rubrecht, SAR Coordinator

Click here to open the Search & Rescue ACTIVE MEMBER application

Click here to open the Search & Rescue SPECIALTY TEAM application

Press Releases

Pictures

Email Us

OEM SAR Reporting Form v.7

OEM SAR Reporting Form Instructions

Completed applications can be dropped off at the Sheriff's Office Records Department or mailed to:

Josephine County Emergency Management

601 NW 5th Street

Grants Pass, OR 97526

Search & Rescue is an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and donations are deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donations to SAR may be sent to:

P.O. Box 814

Grants Pass, OR  97528

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