Whatcom County Search and Rescue
Search and Rescue has been in Whatcom County since 1955 when Bellingham Mountain Rescue was formed. Around 1970 the Sheriff’s Department stopped by a local garage asking a Jeep club to assist with a search for lost subjects. This led to the forming of a more professional group, the Whatcom County 4×4 Search and Rescue Unit. 1972. In 1982 Whatcom County Search and Rescue incorporated the Whatcom County Search and Rescue Council. The WCSAR Council brings all the units together and have a monthly meeting to discuss important issues. WCSAR is a umbrella for all six units Bellingham Mountain Rescue, Whatcom County 4×4 Search and Rescue Unit, WECG (Communications), Whatcom County Dive Rescue, Whatcom County Snowmobile and Whatcom County Summit to Sound .
Missions in Whatcom County are coordinated by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
WCSAR and it’s member units work closely with the WCSO and the WC division of emergency management.
We are a 100% volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
We are here
for the community
Whatcom County Search and Rescue can be seen throughout the year at Ski to Sea, parades, and safety fairs. Between missions and trainings we offer community support by proving safety at various events.
We are here
for Training
Our training includes but not limited to water rescue, evidence searches, lost subjects, patient packaging, transport, and rope rescue.
How we help the community:
- Search for missing persons (Hikers, Hunters, Children, Elderly, ETC).
- Rescue of stranded people (wilderness, rivers, bays, storms)
- Emergency transport in severe weather
- Disasters
- Safety Education
How we help other agencies:
- Additional man power
- A wide range of communications
- Scene Preservation
- Containment
- Equipment for a variety of situations on land or water
- Evidence and missing persons search