Florida Search and Rescue
Who leads searches in Florida, how agencies request state help, and the resources behind them. Verified items link to their source. Reviewed November 2026.
Emergency: call 911. State 24-hour contact: 24-hour State Watch Office (800) 320-0519 or (850) 815-4001. How a state request works ↓
Requesting state help in Florida
No Florida statute assigns search and rescue to a specific agency, and the sheriff's duties in Fla. Stat. § 30.15 do not mention it. In practice the sheriff or city police lead missing-person searches and fire-rescue handles technical rescue.
- State 24-hour contact24-hour State Watch Office (800) 320-0519 or (850) 815-4001.
- Requesting state resourcesFor state help, the local agency fills out Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement Form B and sends it to the county emergency manager, who forwards it to the State Emergency Operations Center. Requests can also go through the Regional SERP Coordinator or the 24-hour State Watch Office (800-320-0519 or 850-815-4001).
Want to write the request out before you call? Use the request builder. Official agency: FDEM ↗.
Key numbers
Only figures with a published source.
BluePrintSAR resource pages for Florida (below).
How search and rescue is requested in Florida
- Step 1In an emergency call 911. The sheriff or city police lead missing person searches; fire-rescue handles technical rescue.
- Step 2Local agencies call in nearby resources and volunteer teams directly, or use Florida Mutual Aid Act agreements for other law enforcement agencies.
- Step 3For state help, the local agency fills out Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement Form B and sends it to the county emergency manager, who forwards it to the State Emergency Operations Center. Requests can also go through the Regional SERP Coordinator or the 24-hour State Watch Office (800-320-0519 or 850-815-4001).
- Step 4ESF 9 (State Fire Marshal) assigns state US&R task forces and other rescue resources; FWC can add officers, aircraft, ATVs and boats.
- Step 5Civil Air Patrol provides aircraft for SAR. Beyond state resources, help comes through EMAC or FEMA.
Law and authority
Sheriffs are conservators of the peace in their counties and perform other duties imposed by law. Search and rescue is not named.
Law enforcement agencies may sign voluntary cooperation and requested operational assistance agreements. Officers working in another jurisdiction keep their powers, immunities and benefits. Unless the agreement says otherwise, the agency sending help pays its own employees, equipment losses and travel.
Basis for the state emergency management system and the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement used to move fire and rescue resources between jurisdictions (as described in the SERP).
Volunteers for state agencies are covered by workers' compensation (ch. 440) and state liability protection (§ 768.28).
Anyone who gives emergency care free of charge and in good faith is immune from civil liability if they act as a reasonably prudent person would.
State plans and guidelines
Official plans, annexes and program documents for Florida.
- Florida CEMP, ESF 9 Search and Rescue (2026) ↗ — Florida Division of Emergency Management 2024 appendix for search and rescue; ESF 9 is led by the State Fire Marshal.
- Florida emergency support functions: ESF 4/9 ↗ — FDEM identifies the State Fire Marshal as the lead agency for firefighting and search and rescue support.
Resources by discipline
What each resource does, how it is requested in Florida, and the standards that apply.
Listed in BluePrintSAR directories for Florida
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.
Aviation (Sheriff / FWC / State)
Florida SAR aviation is mostly county: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and several sheriff offices fly hoist helicopters, backed by Coast Guard air stations and Civil Air Patrol.
Canine (K9)
Florida has no state SAR dog certification; sheriffs, fire departments, FEMA task forces and volunteer teams certify their own dogs
Cave & Mine Rescue
Volunteer specialistsSpecialists for rescues in caves and mines, where rope work, tight passages and communications make ordinary rescue methods hard.
Cell Phone Forensics
Kelsey Smith Act law: none found. 5 agencies and resources listed. All checked against official sources.
Coast Guard
Coast Guard districts and 5 sectors covering Florida, plus 18 small boat stations, 2 air stations, 2 cutters and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. All checked against official sources.
Communication
National SAR and interoperability channels from the NIFOG, plus 3 state, local and volunteer radio systems and groups. All checked against official sources.
Dive & Underwater
5 agency dive teams listed, each checked against an official program page or a news report.
Drone / UAS
State drone law: Fla. Stat. 934.50. 3 drone teams listed (Collier and Lee County sheriff’s offices and the Civil Air Patrol Florida Wing), each checked against a current published source.
Sheriff / Law Enforcement
No Florida statute assigns search and rescue to a specific agency; the sheriff or city police lead missing-person searches.
Mantracking
Trackers 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.
National Guard
Governor-activatedMilitary helicopters and personnel for hoist rescue, aerial search and ground support when civilian resources can’t do the job.
State Parks
State agencyThe state park system, whose staff know park terrain and trails and support searches on park land.
Swiftwater & Flood Rescue
State programTeams that search for and rescue people and animals in swiftwater and floods, from shore and by boat.
Technical Mountain Rescue
Teams for steep, high-angle and alpine terrain that use rope systems to reach and evacuate people.
USAR (FEMA / State Task Forces)
6 state or regional US&R teams and 2 FEMA task forces listed, with how to request them.
Federal lands (Forest Service and National Park Service)
Federal land managerFederal land agencies whose staff support searches on national forests, grasslands and parks.
UTV & ATV Units
Off-road vehicles, including UTVs, ATVs and e-bikes, that move searchers and equipment and carry out injured people over rough trails.
67-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.
All 67 published contact numbers match the FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory dated October 28, 2026, checked November 2026. Each “Verified” link opens the relevant PDF page. These are sheriff’s office contact numbers; for an emergency, call 911.
| Jurisdiction | Agency | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Alachua County | Alachua County Sheriff’s Office | (352) 367-4021 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Baker County | Baker County Sheriff’s Office | (904) 259-2231 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Bay County | Bay County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 747-4700 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Bradford County | Bradford County Sheriff’s Office | (904) 966-2276 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Brevard County | Brevard County Sheriff’s Office | (321) 264-5201 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Broward County | Broward County Sheriff’s Office | (954) 831-8901 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Calhoun County | Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 674-5049 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Charlotte County | Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office | (941) 575-5211 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Citrus County | Citrus County Sheriff’s Office | (352) 726-4488 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Clay County | Clay County Sheriff’s Office | (904) 284-7575 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Collier County | Collier County Sheriff’s Office | (239) 252-0555 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Columbia County | Columbia County Sheriff’s Office | (386) 752-9212 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| DeSoto County | DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office | (863) 993-4700 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Dixie County | Dixie County Sheriff’s Office | (352) 498-1220 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Duval County | Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office | (904) 630-2120 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Escambia County | Escambia County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 436-9630 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Flagler County | Flagler County Sheriff’s Office | (386) 437-4116 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Franklin County | Franklin County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 670-8519 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Gadsden County | Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 627-9233 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Gilchrist County | Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office | (352) 463-3410 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Glades County | Glades County Sheriff’s Office | (863) 946-1600 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Gulf County | Gulf County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 227-1115 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Hamilton County | Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office | (386) 792-2004 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Hardee County | Hardee County Sheriff’s Office | (863) 773-0304 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Hendry County | Hendry County Sheriff’s Office | (863) 674-4060 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Hernando County | Hernando County Sheriff’s Office | (352) 754-6830 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Highlands County | Highlands County Sheriff’s Office | (863) 402-7200 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Hillsborough County | Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office | (813) 247-8000 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Holmes County | Holmes County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 547-4421 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Indian River County | Indian River County Sheriff’s Office | (772) 569-6700 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Jackson County | Jackson County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 482-9624 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Jefferson County | Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 997-2523 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Lafayette County | Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office | (386) 294-1222 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Lake County | Lake County Sheriff’s Office | (352) 343-9500 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Lee County | Lee County Sheriff’s Office | (239) 477-1000 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Leon County | Leon County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 606-3345 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Levy County | Levy County Sheriff’s Office | (352) 486-5111 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Liberty County | Liberty County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 643-2235 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Madison County | Madison County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 973-4151 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Manatee County | Manatee County Sheriff’s Office | (941) 747-3011 ext. 2222 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Marion County | Marion County Sheriff’s Office | (352) 732-8181 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Martin County | Martin County Sheriff’s Office | (772) 220-7024 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Miami-Dade County | Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office | (305) 471-3518 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Monroe County | Monroe County Sheriff’s Office | (305) 292-7001 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Nassau County | Nassau County Sheriff’s Office | (904) 225-0331 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Okaloosa County | Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 651-7410 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Okeechobee County | Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office | (863) 763-3117 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Orange County | Orange County Sheriff’s Office | (407) 254-7000 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Osceola County | Osceola County Sheriff’s Office | (407) 348-1100 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Palm Beach County | Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office | (561) 688-3000 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Pasco County | Pasco County Sheriff’s Office | (727) 847-5878 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Pinellas County | Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office | (727) 582-6201 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Polk County | Polk County Sheriff’s Office | (863) 298-6200 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Putnam County | Putnam County Sheriff’s Office | (386) 329-0800 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Santa Rosa County | Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 983-1100 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Sarasota County | Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office | (941) 861-5800 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Seminole County | Seminole County Sheriff’s Office | (407) 665-6600 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| St. Johns County | St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office | (904) 810-6601 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| St. Lucie County | St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office | (772) 462-7300 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Sumter County | Sumter County Sheriff’s Office | (352) 569-1600 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Suwannee County | Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office | (386) 362-3443 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Taylor County | Taylor County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 584-4225 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Union County | Union County Sheriff’s Office | (386) 496-2501 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Volusia County | Volusia County Sheriff’s Office | (386) 736-5961 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Wakulla County | Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 745-7100 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Walton County | Walton County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 892-8186 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |
| Washington County | Washington County Sheriff’s Office | (850) 638-6111 published contact number (FDLE Sheriff’s Office Directory, Oct 2026) · Verified |