Arkansas Search and Rescue
Who leads searches in Arkansas, how agencies request state help, and the resources behind them. Each item links to its source. Reviewed November 2026.
Emergency: call 911. State contact: ADEM office 501-683-6700 · Hazardous-materials release notification line 1-800-322-4012 (as listed by Arkansas Energy and Environment for ADEM; not a SAR line). How a state request works ↓
Requesting state help in Arkansas
No Arkansas statute names one agency in charge of search and rescue. In practice the local jurisdiction where the person is missing leads: the county sheriff or city police, often with the county Office of Emergency Management, which runs some volunteer SAR teams (for example, Pope County).
- State contactADEM office 501-683-6700 · Hazardous-materials release notification line 1-800-322-4012 (as listed by Arkansas Energy and Environment for ADEM; not a SAR line).
- Requesting state resourcesIn an emergency call 911. Agencies needing SAR contact the county sheriff or local police and the county Office of Emergency Management where the person is missing.
Want to write the request out before you call? Use the request builder. Official agency: Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) ↗.
Key numbers
Only figures with a published source.
BluePrintSAR resource pages for Arkansas (below).
How search and rescue is requested in Arkansas
- Step 1In an emergency call 911. Agencies needing SAR contact the county sheriff or local police and the county Office of Emergency Management where the person is missing.
- Step 2Local agencies use their own resources and local mutual aid first. All state and federal mutual aid requests go through the State Emergency Operations Center after local resources are used up.
- Step 3The county OEM contacts ADEM (office 501-683-6700). The State Missing Person SAR Mission Coordinator or State K9 Coordinator and ADEM staff pick and notify teams from the state call-out lists.
- Step 4Under the state aviation plan, air search is coordinated by the Arkansas Division of Aeronautics (the former Department of Aeronautics, now part of the Department of Commerce) with the Civil Air Patrol and other state aircraft.
Law and authority
General emergency management law under which ADEM and the state plan operate. § 12-75-128 protects emergency responders from liability except for willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith.
Emergency responders enrolled with a local emergency management office or ADEM, and acting under the order or request of the Governor, ADEM or a local chief executive, are treated as state or local employees for workers' compensation.
Statewide mutual aid among Arkansas jurisdictions.
State plans and guidelines
Official plans, annexes and program documents for Arkansas.
- ADEM Search and Rescue program ↗ — Arkansas Division of Emergency Management search and rescue page.
- Arkansas ESF annex AA-02, Search and Rescue (2014) ↗ — State search and rescue annex published by Arkansas DPS / ADEM (2014 edition).
- Governor’s executive order on emergency support functions ↗ — Executive order assigning Arkansas state agencies to the emergency support functions.
Resources by discipline
What each resource does, how it is requested in Arkansas, and the standards that apply.
Listed in BluePrintSAR directories for Arkansas
Loading counts…
Counts are directory category listings, not unique organizations, personnel or available assets. Informational canine placeholders are excluded. Organizations can appear in several categories; canine specialty subtotals can overlap.
Sheriff / Law Enforcement
No Arkansas statute names one agency in charge of search and rescue.
Cave & Mine Rescue
Volunteer specialistsSpecialists for rescues in caves and mines, where rope work, tight passages and communications make ordinary rescue methods hard.
Canine (K9)
ADEM K9 standards and State K9 Resource Call Out list; national bodies (NASAR, IPWDA, NAPWDA, NSDA, AERIE, SUSAR, FEMA) certify the dogs
Swiftwater & Flood Rescue
State programTeams that search for and rescue people and animals in swiftwater and floods, from shore and by boat.
Drone / UAS
State drone law: A.C.A. 27-118-101 (added by Act 597 of 2025). 3 agency and volunteer drone programs listed, each linked to a published source.
UTV & ATV Units
Local agenciesOff-road vehicles, including UTVs, ATVs and e-bikes, that move searchers and equipment and carry out injured people over rough trails.
Dive & Under Water
4 public safety dive and water units listed, each checked against agency pages or news reports.
Federal lands (Forest Service and National Park Service)
Federal land managerFederal land agencies whose staff support searches on national forests, grasslands and parks.
State Parks
State agencyThe state park system, whose staff know park terrain and trails and support searches on park land.
Aviation (ASP)
Local agencies request state help through the Division of Emergency Management; the State Police Air Support Unit, Guard Black Hawks with the Arkansas Helicopter Rescue Team, Civil Air Patrol and several sheriff air units fly searches and rescues.
Communication
National SAR and interoperability channels from the NIFOG, plus 3 state, local and volunteer radio systems and groups. All checked against official sources.
Cell Phone Forensics
Kelsey Smith Act law: yes (signed March 13, 2015). 5 agencies and resources listed. All checked against official sources.
Technical Mountain Rescue
Local agenciesTeams for steep, high-angle and alpine terrain that use rope systems to reach and evacuate people.
Mantracking
Local agenciesTrackers who find and follow a missing person’s footprints and other sign on the ground.
Marine & Boating Law Enforcement
State boating agencyOfficers and boats on lakes, rivers and coastal waters who respond to boating emergencies and support water searches.
USAR (FEMA / State)
Arkansas Task Force One and its two regional teams listed, with how to request them.
National Guard
Governor-activatedMilitary helicopters and personnel for hoist rescue, aerial search and ground support when civilian resources can’t do the job.
Coast Guard
Coast Guard district and 1 sector covering Arkansas, two river buoy tenders and a Fort Smith marine safety office, plus state, federal and volunteer units. Each checked against a cited source.
75-county directory
Each county and its sheriff’s office. Who leads a search varies by state; see the top of this page. For an emergency, call 911.
Published sheriff office and non-emergency contacts checked against county or agency pages and the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory in October 2026. Each “Verified” link shows the source for that number. Office contacts are not all 24-hour dispatch lines; confirm their purpose and hours with the agency.
| Jurisdiction | Agency | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas County | Arkansas County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 659-2060 South District 24-hour phone (North District 870-659-2066) · Verified |
| Ashley County | Ashley County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 853-2040 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Baxter County | Baxter County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 425-7000 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Benton County | Benton County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 271-1008 sheriff’s office phone (official sheriff site) · Verified |
| Boone County | Boone County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 741-8404 24-hour non-emergency line (official sheriff site) · Verified |
| Bradley County | Bradley County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 226-3491 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Calhoun County | Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 798-2323 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Carroll County | Carroll County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 423-2901 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Chicot County | Chicot County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 265-8020 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Clark County | Clark County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 246-2222 sheriff’s office phone (office Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) · Verified |
| Clay County | Clay County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 598-2270 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Cleburne County | Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 362-8143 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Cleveland County | Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 325-6222 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Columbia County | Columbia County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 235-5655 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Conway County | Conway County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 354-2411 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Craighead County | Craighead County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 933-4551 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Crawford County | Crawford County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 474-2261 published sheriff’s department phone (contact page; administration 479-474-2581) · Verified |
| Crittenden County | Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 702-2010 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Cross County | Cross County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 238-5700 24-hour non-emergency line (official sheriff site) · Verified |
| Dallas County | Dallas County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 352-2002 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Desha County | Desha County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 877-2580 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Drew County | Drew County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 367-6211 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Faulkner County | Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 450-4914 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Franklin County | Franklin County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 667-4127 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Fulton County | Fulton County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 895-2601 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Garland County | Garland County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 622-3660 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Grant County | Grant County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 942-5039 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Greene County | Greene County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 239-6343 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Hempstead County | Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 777-6727 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Hot Spring County | Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 332-3671 county sheriff office phone (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) · Verified |
| Howard County | Howard County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 845-2626 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Independence County | Independence County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 793-8838 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Izard County | Izard County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 368-4203 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Jackson County | Jackson County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 523-5842 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Jefferson County | Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 541-5351 sheriff’s office phone (county sheriff page) · Verified |
| Johnson County | Johnson County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 754-7724 sheriff’s office number (county directory; detention listed separately) · Verified |
| Lafayette County | Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 921-4258 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Lawrence County | Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 886-2525 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Lee County | Lee County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 295-7775 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Lincoln County | Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 628-4271 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Little River County | Little River County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 898-5115 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Logan County | Logan County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 963-3271 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Lonoke County | Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 676-3001 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Madison County | Madison County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 738-2320 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Marion County | Marion County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 449-4236 24-hour non-emergency line (official sheriff site) · Verified |
| Miller County | Miller County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 774-3001 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Mississippi County | Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 658-2243 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Monroe County | Monroe County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 747-3811 24-hour non-emergency line (official sheriff site) · Verified |
| Montgomery County | Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 867-3151 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Nevada County | Nevada County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 887-2616 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Newton County | Newton County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 446-5124 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Ouachita County | Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 231-5300 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Perry County | Perry County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 889-3309 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Phillips County | Phillips County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 338-5555 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Pike County | Pike County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 285-3315 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Poinsett County | Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 578-5411 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Polk County | Polk County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 394-2511 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Pope County | Pope County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 968-2558 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Prairie County | Prairie County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 256-4137 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Pulaski County | Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 340-6930 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Randolph County | Randolph County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 892-8888 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Saline County | Saline County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 303-5609 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Scott County | Scott County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 637-4156 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Searcy County | Searcy County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 448-2340 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Sebastian County | Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 783-1051 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Sevier County | Sevier County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 642-2125 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Sharp County | Sharp County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 994-7356 sheriff’s office phone; dispatch 870-994-2211 (detention listed separately) · Verified |
| St. Francis County | St. Francis County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 633-2611 24-hour non-emergency line (official sheriff site) · Verified |
| Stone County | Stone County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 269-3825 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Union County | Union County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 864-1970 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Van Buren County | Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 745-2112 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Washington County | Washington County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 444-5700 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| White County | White County Sheriff’s Office | (501) 279-6279 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Woodruff County | Woodruff County Sheriff’s Office | (870) 347-2583 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |
| Yell County | Yell County Sheriff’s Office | (479) 495-4881 sheriff’s office contact (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association county directory) · Verified |