News And Events

Help?:

Would you like to help on searches?. You can be a spotter or do actual searches. Certain requirements may needed to be met. Contact us for more info.

Donate?:

Would you like to donate for a worthy cause? Since we are a non-profilt organization, your donations are tax exempt. Please visit our donation page for online donations. Thank you.

Membership Information For Pierce County Search & Rescue 4x4 Unit

• Membership Email - Select Membership || • Open Positions

Before joining the Pierce County Search & Rescue 4X4 Unit, each prospective member must pass a background check conducted by the Department of Emergency Management. The investigation includes a Criminal History and Driving Record (utilizing the point system) background check. Disqualification includes addiction to intoxicating liquors, narcotics or use of any controlled substances, no convictions of any type or facing charges of a felony, as well as a poor driving record. Those who fail their background check will not be considered for Pierce County Search & Rescue 4X4 Unit membership.

Prospective members will need to take the Independent Study Course "IS-700" entitled "National Incident Management System (NIMS) an Introduction". This course introduces NIMS and takes approximately two hours to complete. It explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of NIMS.

Also, the Independent Study Course entitled Introduction to the ICS. The lesson introduces you to the background & development of ICS as the standard for Emergency management across the country. Since interdisciplinary needs to be flexible, application of ICS is a key feature of the National Incident Management System.


• IS-700 (NIMS)
• IS-100
The purpose is to meet Emergency Management requests and requirements for volunteer clubs. If you have further questions, please contact us at the above email address.
We respond to requests for help from the Pierce County Sheriff's office day or night. We are commonly called out late at night to conduct a search through the night into the next morning. Those that are able, continue the search while others leave to go to work, often without the benefit of sleep. Most searches last just a few hours but some can and do extend into several days duration. Each member determines the amount of time he or she can commit to a search.

The frequency of searches varies from year to year and the time of year. During our slowest "search season" we may have a couple of months with no activity, while our busiest times involve multiple searches in a week. - sometimes with searches occurring back-to-back without a break. Our unit is also requested on occasion for out-of-county searches. We are able to respond to state-wide requests for assistance and are self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours.

Proper equipment is vital to the success of a mission and the safety of our searches. Although much of the equipment we carry is common camping gear, assembling the gear can sometimes be a burden on new members. Ample time is given to new members after joining to acquire their equipment; however, some minimum equipment is required prior to participating in unit training missions. Our equipment list denotes how much equipment you need at each level of training.


POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Search And Rescue Volunteer: We are looking for people 18 y.o. And above with 4-wheel drive vehicle to provide assistance on search & Rescue mission. The vehicle must be license, registered, insured in the state of Washington & be in safe operating condition The volunteer must also purchase required equipment and complete required training.

Search and Rescue Observer: We are looking for people 18 y.o. And above to assist our 4x4 drivers by providing assistance on search & rescue mission through out Pierce County. The observer duties include communication, navigation & search application The observer must purchase the equipment listed under personal gear & trail kit.

Search Base Support Person. The unit is looking for a person 18 y/o or older to help out in unit comm trailer. The requirements will be Help set up & Tear down unit communications trailer, communicate on unit radios & with local law enforcement if necessary keep track of searchers & possible clues in the field on unit laptop. The support person must obtain the observer status & the same equipment as an observer. A ham radio license is a plus.