EMSAR Membership

Anyone interested in becoming a member of any Search & Rescue Team should understand the demands and requirements of this type of volunteer service.

1. You must be in good physical shape. 

Search and Rescue Operations are usually extremely physically demanding, and are carried out in natures worst conditions. Extreme temperatures, traversing miles of treacherous slopes, scaling cliffs, and hazardous weather conditions are usually factors involved in SAR activities. SAR members must not create secondary rescue situations, while engaged in primary rescue operations.

2. You must be willing to respond at any time. 

Calls for help usually come in when it's least convenient. A typical call will come in after the lost person isn't home the day after they were expected to arrive at home in another state. Their loved ones will notify the Search & Rescue Team at 2:30 in the morning, in the middle of a blizzard, after the SAR team members have just worked a 70 hour work week at their regular paying jobs. 

If your not willing to disappoint your family by leaving Thanksgiving dinner, or making your kids wait to open their Christmas presents until December 27th, Search & Rescue work, may not be for you.

3. You must provide your own equipment. 

Almost all Search & Rescue Teams are unpaid volunteers. SAR does NOT receive the funding other public service organizations qualify for. Members often spend hundreds, or even thousands of their own dollars on their equipment. This money is not reimbursed, and most volunteers don't spend enough on equipment at one time to write it off on their taxes!

4. You must keep your certifications current. 

FEMA requires SAR teams to have current ICS certifications. Several NASAR Search and Rescue Technician certifications, are also required.  CPR/AED/First Aid certification requirements must be met.

Multifocal operations conducted by various agencies can become very complex. It is critical that every SAR technician understand every aspect of these types of operations, and be able to function efficiently in these types of situations.

5. You must have a four wheel drive vehicle. 

EMSAR volunteers must be able to respond quickly to remote and isolated locations. Most of these locations are inaccessible to motorized vehicles, and many are only accessible by four wheel drive vehicles with high clearance.  

6. Members must attend meetings regularly and participate in most of the annual SAR operations. 

EMSAR meets monthly to train and vote on regular business items. We also organize the San Rafael Classic Triathlon every year to help purchase clothing, and other needed supplies for our teams.

7. Volunteers must adhere to higher standards. 

Anyone who volunteers as a Search & Rescue Team member represents their local Sheriff's Department and their Search & Rescue Team while engaged in SAR operations as well as on their own time. Any unacceptable behavior or criminal activity could result in immediate dismissal by either the Sheriff or by a vote from the regular members.

8. SAR Technicians pay annual membership dues. 

Regular and Prospective  Search & Rescue Team members pay their own annual membership dues, to maintain on their position on the team. 

9. Joining EMSAR has a few more steps.  

We are always looking for talented individuals who are self motivated, and driven towards being team players. To join EMSAR you must be;

Sponsored by a current member of the Emery County Sheriff's Office - Search & Rescue Team.

You must be in good standing in your community.

You have to complete an EMSAR membership application.

There must be an opening in the Search & Rescue prospective member pool for you to fill.

If You would like to Contact EMSAR today for an application check out the Contact Us page on this website!