IMPORTANT RECRUITING ANNOUNCEMENT

Valley County Search And Rescue is in need of additional volunteers. Staffing for Search And Rescue events is critically low. If you are interested in joining VCSAR, please click here to view our recruitment flyer, or here to start the process to join VCSAR. If you know anyone who would be interested in volunteering to serve with VCSAR, please direct them to this page. If you have any questions regarding joining Valley County Search And Rescue, please use the contact form to contact us. Completion of the following steps are required as a prerequisite to joining Valley County Search And Rescue: Submitting a Valley County Law Enforcement employment application and a Release Of Information Waiver to VCSAR, PO Box 144, Donnelly, ID 83615-0144. The combined Release Of Waiver and Valley Count Law Enforcement Application Form can be downloaded by clicking HERE.   ⟸ Approval of the submitted Valley County employment application and background check by the Valley County Sheriff's Office. Approval of membership application by the Valley County Search And Rescue Board of Directors. Approval of membership application by the Valley County Search And Rescue Membership. Payment of annual dues (i.e. $40) to Valley County Search And Rescue. A registration form is available, and can be found under the Members menu, and expresses your intention to join Valley County Search And Rescue. Additional information on joining Valley County Search And Rescue can be found on the registration page. Please note that the web registration form does is not an application to join Valley County Search And Rescue, and does not replace any of the steps outlined above. It is critically important to note that the web registration form serves only to express your intent to join Valley County Search And Rescue, and prepares an inactive web account, which will only be activated upon the completion of the items outlined above. Please note that Valley County Search And Rescue call out procedures are based on using SMS Text Messaging technology. Registered members are asked to indicate their cell phone carrier when registering, in order to support generating SMS Text Messaging call outs.

Valley County Search and Rescue (VCSAR) is a volunteer group dedicated to serving the residents and visitors of Valley County, Idaho. Our members search, rescue, and render aid to people in difficulty or distress. We support community events. We also work with neighboring counties, the Idaho State Search and Rescue (ISSAR), and other organizations to provide these services.

The area we serve is a recreation paradise. Valley County is vast and rugged, with over 3700 square miles of tall mountains and deep river canyons. Wildlife is abundant, so hunting and fishing are popular. The county includes a large portion of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, an immense roadless land area. Much of the county is mountainous at high elevation, so a deep winter snowpack offers over 500 miles of snowmobile trails.

The outdoors opportunities, weather, and terrain here all combine to provide many challenges to search and rescue. Our members become experienced to meet those challenges through mentoring, training, and feet-on-the-ground. We search in all weather, from blazing summertime heat in the canyons to deep winter snows and sub-zero temperatures on the mountains. We utilize a diverse set of tools in our searches, from hiking boots to ATVs, snowshoes to snowmobiles. Each search requires a broad range of skills, from comms (radio communications) to navigating unknown terrain with map, compass, and GPS. Due to the rugged terrain and primitive roads, sometimes just getting to the search area is a challenge.

However, big challenges make opportunities for big rewards. Our members have found that the rewards of helping others in Valley County more than compensate for the difficulties we sometimes encounter. We see beautiful scenery. We meet wonderful people. We learn. And we share; our expertise, our time, and our caring.

• To serve the public welfare in any disaster, catastrophe, or emergency.
• To render aid, to search for and rescue those in need when called upon by local government, law enforcement and governing agencies.
• To render aid and assistance to persons in difficulties or in distress when met on the road or in the field.
• To provide training to members in search and rescue techniques.
• To work with other search and rescue and emergency response organizations.
• To associate together in meetings, gatherings and in the field for the promotion of good fellowship.

Please consider a donation to Valley County Search And Rescue, 501(c)3. Click the button below to make a donation quickly, easily, and securely, (PayPal account not required).

Valley County Search And Rescue wants your outdoor activities to be safe and enjoyable. To be prepared in the event that the unexpected happens, Valley County Search And Rescue provides the following recommendations:

• NAVIGATION: Carry Topographical maps, compass, optional altimeter or GPS receiver
• SUN PROTECTION: Carry Sunglasses and sunscreen
• INSULATION: Carry Hat, Gloves, Jacket, extra clothing for cold weather (snow is possible year-round)
• ILLUMINATION: Carry a flashlight or headlamp, with extra batteries (LED lights provide extended operation)
• FIRST AID: Carry a First Aid Kit, insect repellent
• FIRE: Carry a butane lighter, matches in a waterproof container, fire starting materials
• TOOLS & REPAIR KIT: Knife, multi-tool, scissors, pliers, screwdriver, trowel, shovel, duct tape, cable ties
• NUTRITION: Carry extra food for one additional day (for emergency). Dry food is preferred to save weight and usually requires water
• HYDRATION: Add 2 extra liters of water for one additional day (for emergency). May supplement with portable water purification
• EMERGENCY SHELTER: Carry a tarp, bivouac sac, space blanket, plastic tube tent, plastic pancho, jumbo trash bags, insulated sleeping pad
• COMMUNICATIONS: Carry a cell phone with a charged battery
• TRANSPORTATION: Carry road flares, rope, jumper cables, small shovel, tire chains. If you get in trouble, stay with your vehicle. Your vehicle provides shelter, and is easier to locate than a person traveling on foot.
• TRIP PLAN: Inform someone of your planned route and expected date and time of return. If your trip plans change, call the person(s) that you informed to update them with your modified plan.

For additional information, please see:

• Wikipedia article on Ten Essentials
• Wilderness Survival Skills

Valley County Search And Rescue meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month, beginning at 7:00 PM at the Idaho First Bank, located at 475 Deinhard Lane, McCall, ID 83638.