Search and Rescue

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office relies on trained volunteers to assist in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and the program continues to grow. Although we do not have many SAR operations in Douglas County (compared to others), we do have the occasional operation that involved a missing person, lost snowmobile operator, and a missing hunter.

In addition to the traditional SAR operations, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is a proud supported of Project Lifesaver.

Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver relies on proven radio technology and a specially trained search and rescue team. Clients that are enrolled in the Project Lifesaver program wear a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal. When caregivers notify the local Project Lifesaver agency that the person is missing, a search and rescue team responds to the wanderer's area and starts searching with the mobile locater tracking system. Search times have been reduced from hours and days to minutes. In over 1000 searches, there have been no reported serious injuries or deaths. Recovery times average less than 30 minutes.

For more information on our Search and Rescue program, please call Douglas County Emergency Management at (509) 884-0941.