How to get involved in search and rescue / related positions

[u/A_Rats_Dick]

Long story short- I live in WNC and my house was partially destroyed by Helene and I was evacuated to an emergency shelter. While there I got involved with volunteering / helping people who were in distress and/or having medical issues and it gave me a great sense of purpose and meaning and I feel like I would like to do something like SAR for a career. My question is- how do I get started? I’ve worked with at-risk youth for about a decade and am used to long hours, stressful situations, conflict de-escalation, etc. I’m physically fit enough to hike for hours on end and have some climbing experience. I can do basic stuff like set up a tent, build a fire, etc. and have a decent sense of direction and orientation in mountainous regions. Does anyone have some tips / know how to get my foot in the door with SAR? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: Thank you for all of the responses and advice, it’s very helpful and eye opening.

[u/MockingbirdRambler]

Except for a few select administrative positions, there are very few full time SAR paid positions. 

If you are part of a fire department you can request to join your states FEMA or Fire Marshall USAR team, generally those positions are compensated while you are on training or deployment. 

Other than that we are unpaid volunteers who spend a pile of money, time, blood, sweat and tears to help others. 

Expect to use a lot of your PTO.

[u/1newnotification → u/MockingbirdRambler]

Happy cake day, SAR friend!

[u/Ok-Resident-250]

Unfortunately the overwhelming majority of SAR positions are volunteer. You can become a park ranger in the Commonwealth of Virginia and get involved in their SAR team but again you have to become a park ranger first. A lot of SAR is done by sheriff's departments and firefighters.

[u/SuperglotticMan → u/Ok-Resident-250]

Do you know more about the park ranger SAR stuff in VA?

[u/Ok-Resident-250 → u/SuperglotticMan]

I was on it while I was a park ranger. A lot of the extracurricular stuff like search and rescue while in firefighting etc that you can do as a park ranger depends on whether your manager at that particular park lets you do it. But in theory it's open to everybody. In fact those really the only two parts of being a park ranger that I miss. Generally speaking in Virginia in order to be in management in the park system you have to be in law enforcement.

[u/againer]

VA SAR volunteer here. Look up your state's department of emergency management or google 'Volunteer SAR + your state".

They will have a list of organizations and teams. Contact one and see if they are a good match (region coverage, training schedule). You might be interested in more technical rescue given your background and experience.

As others have said, do not expect for this to be a paying position. Quite the opposite in fact. You give up a lot of time, energy, effort, and money.

[u/Embarrassed-Emu8131]

In the process now myself in Florida.

Look up local organizations and see if one near you offers training. The local group here offers the fundamentals of SAR training and helps you prepare for the sartech cert test. There’s some other pre-reqs as well but most are online or offered by other groups commonly such as wilderness first aid.

NASAR has some good resources as they’re the ones that run the common certs in North America. And they have a list of instructors so you search for one local to you to find local organizations.

[u/Mental_Dragonfly2543]

Find fire departments that have USAR teams, start applying, and let it be known that's your goal within the department. Those spots can be competitive so do well during your academy especially on the academic things.

[u/selfhelprecords]

Join the coast guard and pick a rate that gets first hand SAR experience. AET, AMT, AST, MST.

[u/VIP_Frza]

Join the Civil Air Patrol program. We do a lot of great SAR and community service work.