BluePrintSAR

Nevada State SAR

Checking active alerts in Nevada…See active incidents →
← National directory

Nevada Search and Rescue

Who leads searches in Nevada, how agencies request state help, and the resources behind them. Each item links to its source. Reviewed November 2026.

Emergency: call 911. State 24-hour contact: Office (775) 687-0300 (Mon-Fri 8-5) · 24/7 NV OEM Duty Officer (775) 687-0498. How a state request works ↓

Requesting state help in Nevada

The county sheriff is responsible for searches and rescues within the county (NRS 248.092). The Nevada Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has a state Coordinator of Search and Rescue who supports sheriffs and coordinates searches involving two or more counties, but does not take command.

  1. State coordination contactOffice (775) 687-0300 (Mon-Fri 8-5) · 24/7 NV OEM Duty Officer (775) 687-0498.
  2. Requesting state resourcesWhen local and mutual aid resources are not enough, the sheriff or designee calls the NV OEM Duty Officer (24/7: 775-687-0498) and states the resource kind and type, quantity, location, arrival time and how long it is needed.

Want to write the request out before you call? Use the request builder. Official agency: NV OEM ↗.

Key numbers

Only figures with a published source.

17counties

U.S. Census Bureau boundaries.

U.S. Census Bureau ↗

18Discipline directories

BluePrintSAR resource pages for Nevada (below).

How search and rescue is requested in Nevada

  1. Step 1In an emergency call 911. Agencies needing SAR call the sheriff's office of the county where the person is missing; the sheriff is in charge.
  2. Step 2The sheriff uses county SAR units first, then asks neighboring sheriffs through mutual aid.
  3. Step 3When local and mutual aid resources are not enough, the sheriff or designee calls the NV OEM Duty Officer (24/7: 775-687-0498) and states the resource kind and type, quantity, location, arrival time and how long it is needed.
  4. Step 4NV OEM issues an incident number for tracking and the State SAR Coordinator or Duty Officer finds state, federal or other-county resources. The incident number does not mean the state will pay.
  5. Step 5The requesting sheriff keeps command; responding teams work under its incident command.

Law and authority

NRS 248.092, Searches and rescues

The sheriff is responsible for searches and rescues within his or her county.

Read the source ↗

NRS 414.170 to 414.190, Board of Search and Rescue

Ten-member state board (Civil Air Patrol, National Guard, four from the Sheriffs and Chiefs Association, EMS licensing, Forestry, a law enforcement SAR organization, Fire Chiefs). It sets SAR policy, coordinates training, sets recommendations for SAR organizations, certifies organizations that meet them and keeps a list of certified organizations and their resources.

Read the source ↗

NRS 414.200 and 414.210, Coordinator of Search and Rescue

State coordinator inventories and coordinates SAR resources, keeps statistics, coordinates multi-county searches, assists sheriffs on request, prepares the state SAR plan and liaises with other states.

Read the source ↗

NRS 414.250 and 414.260, Employment protection for SAR volunteers

Employees must tell their employer they belong to a volunteer SAR unit; an employer may not fire them for membership (with civil remedies).

Read the source ↗

NRS 616A.157, Workers' compensation for SAR volunteers

Volunteers of a SAR organization under the direct supervision of the sheriff are county employees for workers' compensation while on a SAR operation or training.

Read the source ↗

NRS 41.500(4), Good Samaritan protection for SAR members

Members of a SAR organization under a sheriff's supervision who give emergency care in good faith are not liable for civil damages unless grossly negligent.

Read the source ↗

State plans and guidelines

Current agency reference pages and a historical plan for Nevada.

Resources by discipline

What each resource does, how it is requested in Nevada, and the standards that apply.

Listed in BluePrintSAR directories for Nevada

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 (CAP / State)

County sheriffs lead SAR; Las Vegas Metro and the Washoe County RAVEN unit fly rescue helicopters, with Nevada Guard Lakotas in Las Vegas and Civil Air Patrol on request.

How to request

In Nevada, aircraft are requested by the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

Under NRS 414.180 the state Board of Search and Rescue sets policy, coordinates training and certifies SAR organizations that meet its recommendations, but no aircrew qualification is set in law or in the state SAR plan, which leaves credentialing to the agency having jurisdiction. Sheriff, Guard and Forestry helicopter crews follow their own agency and service standards (Washoe RAVEN crews fly with night vision goggles; Forestry hoist crews completed vendor hoist training), and Civil Air Patrol aircrews follow CAP national regulations..

Nevada Aviation (CAP / State) directory

Canine (K9)

Nevada POST sets uniform SAR dog team guidelines; sheriff-run and volunteer SAR units field the dogs

How to request

In Nevada the county sheriff is responsible for search and rescue (NRS 248.092).

Standards and policy

The Nevada Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) K-9 working group publishes uniform guidelines for Police Service Dog and Search and Rescue Dog teams in Nevada. Certifications under the guidelines are valid 12 months, not to exceed 15 months from issue, and are evaluated by POST-delegated evaluators.

Nevada Canine (K9) directory

Cave & Mine Rescue

Volunteer specialists

Specialists for rescues in caves and mines, where rope work, tight passages and communications make ordinary rescue methods hard.

Who provides it in Nevada

Cave rescuers serve on local rescue squads and cave rescue groups. The National Cave Rescue Commission (part of the National Speleological Society) trains them and tracks cave rescue resources and specialized equipment. Nevada is in the NCRC Western Region. Accidents at working mines fall under the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

How to request

Call 911. The agency with jurisdiction requests cave rescuers and can reach the NCRC regional coordinator listed on the NCRC staff page. Report an accident at a working mine to MSHA at 1-800-746-1553.

Standards and policy

NCRC national cave rescue curriculum: Orientation to Cave Rescue, Level 1 Team Member and Level 2 Team Leader.

Nevada Cave & Mine Rescue directory NCRC about ↗ NCRC regional coordinators ↗ MSHA emergency contact ↗

Cell Phone Forensics

Kelsey Smith Act law: yes (signed May 23, 2013). 5 agencies and resources listed. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In Nevada, only the law enforcement agency running the search can ask a carrier for a phone's location.

Standards and policy

There is no single national certification for cell phone analysis in searches; agencies and labs set their own training requirements.

Nevada Cell Phone Forensics directory

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Coast Guard district and 2 sectors covering Nevada, plus 9 stations, local and volunteer units. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In Nevada, call 911 or VHF-FM Channel 16 for a maritime emergency.

Standards and policy

Coast Guard and Auxiliary crews qualify under Coast Guard training programs; local marine units follow the standards their agency sets.

Nevada Coast Guard Auxiliary directory

Communication

National SAR and interoperability channels from the NIFOG, plus 4 state, local and volunteer radio systems and groups. All checked against official sources.

How to request

In Nevada, the agency running the search sets the radio plan.

Standards and policy

Communications unit leaders (COML) and technicians (COMT) train through CISA courses and state credentialing; volunteers hold FCC amateur licenses.

Nevada Communication directory

Dive & Underwater

8 public safety and volunteer dive teams listed. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In Nevada, start with the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

Public safety dive teams commonly train to NFPA 1006 (technical rescue personnel qualifications), which covers dive rescue; each team’s sponsoring agency sets its own certification requirements.

Nevada Dive & Underwater directory

Drone / UAS

State drone law: NRS 493.112. 6 agency and volunteer drone teams listed, each checked against a published source in October 2026.

How to request

In Nevada, drone teams are requested by the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

Part 107 pilots complete FAA recurrent training every 24 months; agency programs set their own proficiency standards.

Nevada Drone / UAS directory

National Guard

Governor-activated

Military helicopters and personnel for hoist rescue, aerial search and ground support when civilian resources can’t do the job.

Who provides it in Nevada

The Nevada National Guard (Army and Air), activated in state status by the Governor.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests it through NV OEM. NWCG’s helicopter extraction list directs 911 and dispatch centers to coordinate requests for military, Coast Guard and National Guard aircraft through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at 800-851-3051.

Standards and policy

State active duty under the Governor’s authority; Guard aircraft used for SAR are coordinated with the rescue coordination center.

Nevada National Guard directory Nevada National Guard (official) ↗ State Guard websites (National Guard Bureau) ↗ NV OEM ↗ Helicopter extraction source list (NWCG PMS 512) ↗

Mantracking

Trackers who find and follow a missing person’s footprints and other sign on the ground.

Who provides it in Nevada

Trackers are requested through the sheriff’s office running the search. This page does not list specific Nevada tracking teams.

How to request

The agency running the search requests trackers, usually alongside ground search teams; see who leads searches above.

Standards and policy

ASTM F2852, Standard Practice for Training a Land Search Tracker, sets minimum training for trackers supporting a land search. FEMA’s Land SAR Team typing (8-508-1173) references ASTM F2209 for land search team members.

Nevada Mantracking directory ASTM F2852 (tracker training) ↗ FEMA Land SAR Team definition ↗

Marine & Boating Law Enforcement

State boating agency

Officers and boats on lakes, rivers and coastal waters who respond to boating emergencies and support water searches.

Who provides it in Nevada

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators lists Nevada Dept of Wildlife as Nevada’s boating law agency (boating safety, enforcement and registration).

How to request

Call 911 for a water emergency; the agency with jurisdiction requests marine units through dispatch.

Standards and policy

State boating laws. NASBLA promotes uniform state boating laws and their enforcement (U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division).

Nevada Marine / Wildlife Patrol directory Nevada Dept of Wildlife ↗ NASBLA Nevada boating contacts ↗ State boating laws (USCG Boating Safety) ↗

Sheriff / Law Enforcement

The county sheriff is responsible for searches and rescues within the county (NRS 248.092).

How to request

In an emergency call 911. Agencies needing SAR call the sheriff's office of the county where the person is missing; the sheriff is in charge.

Standards and policy

Voluntary: state SAR Board certifies organizations; no required individual card

Nevada Sheriff / Law Enforcement directory

State Parks

State agency

The state park system, whose staff know park terrain and trails and support searches on park land.

Who provides it in Nevada

Nevada State Parks. The National Association of State Park Directors lists this as the official park-system website.

How to request

For an emergency in a park, call 911. Park staff support the agency with jurisdiction; see who leads searches at the top of this page.

Standards and policy

Park rules and staff authority are set by the state park agency; see its website.

Nevada State Parks & NDOW directory Nevada State Parks (official) ↗ State park directory (America’s State Parks) ↗

Swiftwater & Flood Rescue

Teams that search for and rescue people and animals in swiftwater and floods, from shore and by boat.

Who provides it in Nevada

Swiftwater and flood rescue is requested through the agency with jurisdiction. This page does not list specific Nevada swiftwater teams.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests water rescue through 911 dispatch. When local teams are exceeded, help is requested through NV OEM.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s NIMS resource typing defines a Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Team (8-508-1020), which provides shore-based and boat-based water rescue, basic life support and animal rescue.

Nevada Swiftwater directory FEMA Swiftwater/Flood SAR Team definition ↗ NV OEM ↗

Technical Mountain Rescue

MRA teams listed

Teams for steep, high-angle and alpine terrain that use rope systems to reach and evacuate people.

Who provides it in Nevada

Mountain Rescue Association member teams based in Nevada: Las Vegas Metro SAR; Douglas County Search & Rescue; Washoe County Search & Rescue. Associate members: Red Rock SAR.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests the team, usually through 911 dispatch; see who leads searches above. Help from outside the area is requested through NV OEM.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s NIMS resource typing defines a Mountain Search and Rescue Team (8-508-1171) for low mountain, mountain and alpine environments. The MRA lists member teams by region with their membership status.

Nevada Technical Mountain Rescue directory MRA Desert Mountain Region teams ↗ MRA California Region teams ↗ FEMA Mountain SAR Team definition ↗

USAR (FEMA / State Task Force)

One FEMA task force is based here (NV-TF1).

How to request

In Nevada, US&R teams are requested by the agency in charge of the incident, through the state emergency management agency when local resources run short.

Standards and policy

FEMA task forces train to FEMA and NFPA standards; state and regional teams follow the standards their sponsor sets.

Nevada USAR (FEMA / State Task Force) directory

Federal lands (Forest Service and National Park Service)

Federal land manager

Federal land agencies whose staff support searches on national forests, grasslands and parks.

Who provides it in Nevada

National forests and grasslands in Nevada on the Forest Service’s list: Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The National Park Service lists 7 park sites in Nevada.

How to request

Searches on national forest land are led by the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction (in most states, the county sheriff), with the Forest Service supporting under cooperative agreements. In a national park, call 911 or the park’s emergency line; the NPS will make reasonable efforts to search for lost persons, using its own staff or partner SAR organizations under formal agreements.

Standards and policy

NPS Management Policies 2006, §8.2.5.3: SAR runs under the Incident Command System and visitors are not charged for it.

Nevada US Forest Service / BLM directory NPS sites in Nevada ↗ Forest Service units by state ↗ USDA testimony on sheriff SAR agreements ↗ NPS SAR policy excerpt ↗

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.

Who provides it in Nevada

Off-road vehicle support is requested through the sheriff’s office running the search. This page does not list specific Nevada UTV or ATV units.

How to request

The agency running the search requests vehicle units; see who leads searches above.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s Land SAR Team typing (8-508-1173) includes ground vehicles for support, transportation and evacuation in land and wilderness searches.

Nevada UTV & ATV / Desert Buggies directory FEMA Land SAR Team definition ↗

17-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 17 phone numbers verified (2026-10) against the agency’s own site, a government directory, or a sheriffs’ association or IACP directory; each “Verified” link shows the source. For an emergency, call 911.

JurisdictionAgencyPhone
Carson CityCarson City Sheriff’s Office(775) 887-2677
non-emergency dispatch (887-COPS) · Verified
Churchill CountyChurchill County Sheriff’s Office(775) 423-3116
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Clark CountyLas Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (Clark County Sheriff)(702) 828-3231
sheriff’s office line (NACO 2026 directory); police non-emergency: 311 · Verified
Douglas CountyDouglas County Sheriff’s Office(775) 782-5126
non-emergency dispatch · Verified
Elko CountyElko County Sheriff’s Office(775) 777-2501
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Esmeralda CountyEsmeralda County Sheriff’s Office(775) 485-6373
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Eureka CountyEureka County Sheriff’s Office(775) 237-5330
non-emergency dispatch · Verified
Humboldt CountyHumboldt County Sheriff’s Office(775) 623-6419
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Lander CountyLander County Sheriff’s Office(775) 635-1100
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Lincoln CountyLincoln County Sheriff’s Office(775) 962-8080
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Lyon CountyLyon County Sheriff’s Office(775) 463-6600
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Mineral CountyMineral County Sheriff’s Office(775) 945-2434
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Nye CountyNye County Sheriff’s Office(775) 751-7000
non-emergency, Pahrump HQ (Tonopah 775-482-8101) · Verified
Pershing CountyPershing County Sheriff’s Office(775) 273-2641
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Storey CountyStorey County Sheriff’s Office(775) 847-0959
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Washoe CountyWashoe County Sheriff’s Office(775) 785-9276
non-emergency (785-WCSO), unincorporated areas · Verified
White Pine CountyWhite Pine County Sheriff’s Office(775) 289-8808
sheriff’s office line (Nevada Association of Counties 2026 directory) · Verified
Page edited November 2, 2026How we verifyGet SAR news alertsIs this your team? Correct or share this listing