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Search and Rescue Unit

Main Phone: (775) 328-2196

Sergeant Darrin Rice

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit has been nationally recognized for its efforts, training and organization. The Unit is managed by a Sergeant (SAR Coordinator) and a deputy (Operations Officer). All three have received specialized training to coordinate search and rescue missions. Search and Rescue operates under the Patrol Division.

Washoe County encompasses terrain varying from high desert at the 4,000 feet elevation to mountain ranges of 10,500 feet, large bodies of water, including Pyramid Lake and a portion of Lake Tahoe. Although the majority of the County’s 350,000+ population lives in an area of 7-mile-wide by 30-mile-long at the southern end of the county, search and rescue missions occur throughout the entire county.

The Search and Rescue Unit is responsible for search and rescue functions, assists in major events, maintains the fleet of specialty vehicles, conducts CDL training for the department, and provides logistical help to other divisions and agencies. The manpower for these functions is provided by volunteers from eight separate groups, which include:

• Washoe County Search & Rescue, Inc.
• Washoe County Sheriff's Hasty Team
• Washoe County Sheriff's Air Squadron
• Special Vehicle Unit
• Communications Unit
• Contractor's Auxiliary
• Wilderness Finders
• Animal Rescue Team

Although the size for each unit is constantly changing, the combined membership for all the search and rescue teams is approximately 400 volunteers. These members come from all walks of life and donate their time to learn first aid, CPR, survival techniques, search, technical rescue, dive rescue, rope rescue, and other disciplines to be able to assist lost and/or injured persons.

Washoe County Search and Rescue, Inc. is perhaps the largest of the volunteer units. Since 1965, this private, non profit organization has gathered and trained for the sole purpose of serving the Washoe County Sheriff by providing the equipment and the manpower to conduct searches and rescues. While several of the units may be utilized in unison on any search mission, this unit is one of the first to be called into service.

The men and women of Washoe County Search and Rescue, Inc. specialize in ground searches, land navigation, urban searches, the use of snowshoes and avalanche probes, extended off-road searches, and natural disasters. Members of the unit are on call 24 hours a day and are expected to respond immediately when called. Members can expect to be called upon for numerous missions every year. Ninety-six percent (the national average) of all searches are resolved during the first eight hours, but some may last a week or more.

For more detailed information about the specialized groups, recent rescues, calendar of events, etc., please visit their website at washoesar.com.