North Dakota Search and Rescue: Who Leads & How to Request

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North Dakota Search and Rescue

Who leads searches in North Dakota, 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: Watch Officer 701-328-8100 (the Watch Center operates 24/7/365). Non-emergency toll free 800-773-3259. How a state request works ↓

Requesting state help in North Dakota

The chief law enforcement officer of each political subdivision (in practice the sheriff or police chief) leads local wide area search and rescue under state and local operations plans, using the incident command system for multi-agency or multi-jurisdiction searches. The local emergency management director notifies the state, coordinates support and registers search workers.

State 24-hour contactWatch Officer 701-328-8100 (the Watch Center operates 24/7/365). Non-emergency toll free 800-773-3259.
Requesting state resourcesThe chief law enforcement officer of the city or county leads the search under local and state plans and may restrict access to the search area.

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

Key numbers

Only figures with a published source.

53counties

U.S. Census Bureau boundaries.

U.S. Census Bureau ↗

18Discipline directories

BluePrintSAR resource pages for North Dakota (below).

How search and rescue is requested in North Dakota

Step 1In an emergency call 911 (local law enforcement or the 911 center).
Step 2The chief law enforcement officer of the city or county leads the search under local and state plans and may restrict access to the search area.
Step 3The local emergency management director notifies NDDES of the mission, coordinates support and registers each search worker for employee status.
Step 4For state help or mutual aid, the local emergency manager contacts NDDES through the ND Watch Center (701-328-8100). The Watch Center lists search and rescue operations as a reportable incident type.
Step 5For cost reimbursement, the operation must be authorized by the Governor and the costs approved by the director of the NDDES Division of Homeland Security.

Law and authority

NDCC 37-17.1-28, Wide area search and rescue

Chief law enforcement officer leads; local emergency management director notifies the Department of Emergency Services of each mission, coordinates support and registers each search and rescue worker for employee status; access to the search area may be limited; costs may be reimbursed under 37-17.1-22 or 37-17.1-27 with the governor's authorization and the director's approval.

Read the source ↗

NDCC 37-17.1-06(6)(l)

The division of homeland security and emergency management is the state's SAR coordinating agency and maintains access to a register of SAR equipment and personnel.

Read the source ↗

NDCC 37-17.1-27, State disaster relief fund

The fund can reimburse costs under 37-17.1-28, when appropriated.

Read the source ↗

NDCC 37-17.1-16

Immunity for the state, subdivisions and disaster workers acting under the chapter except willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith; workers' compensation rights are preserved.

Read the source ↗

SB 2292 (2013)

The act that added the wide area SAR provisions and the disaster relief fund reimbursement.

Read the source ↗

State plans and guidelines

Official plans, annexes and program documents for North Dakota.

NDDES planning ↗ — North Dakota Department of Emergency Services planning page, including the State Emergency Operations Plan.

Resources by discipline

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

Listed in BluePrintSAR directories for North Dakota

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.

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Aviation (ANG / State)

Civil Air Patrol, the North Dakota National Guard and the Highway Patrol fly searches; state aviation requests are coordinated by the DES Watch Center.

How to request

In North Dakota, aircraft are requested by the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

There is no state rule or published standard for SAR aircrews. Civil Air Patrol crews follow national CAP training; Guard and Highway Patrol practice is set by each agency.

North Dakota Aviation (ANG / State) directory

Canine (K9)

No state certifier: sheriffs and police request volunteer teams that use national or association certifications (NAPWDA, AMPWDA)

How to request

In North Dakota, the sheriff or police agency with jurisdiction runs the search.

Standards and policy

North Dakota has no state-issued SAR dog standard. Reported teams certify through national work dog associations: MinnKota Search and Rescue (Fargo) through the North American Police Work Dog Association, and Badlands Search and Rescue trains with the American Mantrailing, Police, & Work Dog Association, which certifies teams in levels.

North Dakota 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 North Dakota

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. North Dakota is in the NCRC Rocky Mountain 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.

North Dakota Subterranean & Confined Space directory NCRC about ↗ NCRC regional coordinators ↗ MSHA emergency contact ↗

Cell Phone Forensics

Kelsey Smith Act law: yes (signed April 8, 2011). 4 agencies and resources listed. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In North Dakota, 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.

North Dakota Cell Phone Forensics directory

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Coast Guard district and 1 sector covering North Dakota, plus 8 stations, local and volunteer units. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In North Dakota, 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.

North Dakota 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 North Dakota, 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.

North Dakota Communication directory

Dive & Underwater

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

How to request

In North Dakota, 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.

North Dakota Dive & Underwater directory

Drone / UAS

State drone law: NDCC ch. 29-29.4. 4 agency and volunteer drone teams listed, each checked against a published source.

How to request

In North Dakota, 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.

North Dakota 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 North Dakota

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

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests it through NDDES. 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.

North Dakota National Guard directory North Dakota National Guard (official) ↗ State Guard websites (National Guard Bureau) ↗ NDDES ↗ 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 North Dakota

Trackers are requested through the agency running the search. This page does not list specific North Dakota 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.

North Dakota 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 North Dakota

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators lists North Dakota Game & Fish Dept as North Dakota’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).

North Dakota Marine / Game & Fish Patrol directory North Dakota Game & Fish Dept ↗ NASBLA North Dakota boating contacts ↗ State boating laws (USCG Boating Safety) ↗

Sheriff / Law Enforcement

How to request

In an emergency call 911 (local law enforcement or the 911 center).

Standards and policy

None; no statewide SAR certification or standards exist

North Dakota 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 North Dakota

North Dakota 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.

North Dakota State Parks & Game & Fish directory North Dakota 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 North Dakota

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

How to request

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

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.

North Dakota Swiftwater directory FEMA Swiftwater/Flood SAR Team definition ↗ NDDES ↗

Technical Mountain Rescue

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

Who provides it in North Dakota

No Mountain Rescue Association member team is based in North Dakota (MRA team lists). Technical rope rescue is requested through the agency with jurisdiction.

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 NDDES.

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.

North Dakota Technical Rescue Units directory MRA teams by region ↗ FEMA Mountain SAR Team definition ↗

USAR (FEMA / State Task Force)

4 state or regional US&R teams listed, with how to request them.

How to request

In North Dakota, 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.

North Dakota 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 North Dakota

National forests and grasslands in North Dakota on the Forest Service’s list: Dakota Prairie National Grasslands (Little Missouri, Sheyenne and Cedar River). The National Park Service lists 5 park sites in North Dakota.

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.

North Dakota National Grasslands (USFS) directory NPS sites in North Dakota ↗ 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 North Dakota

Off-road vehicle support is requested through the agency running the search. This page does not list specific North Dakota 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.

North Dakota UTV & Tracked Snow Vehicles directory FEMA Land SAR Team definition ↗

53-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 53 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.

Jurisdiction	Agency	Phone
Adams County	Adams County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 567-2530 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Barnes County	Barnes County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 845-8530 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Benson County	Benson County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 473-5357 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Billings County	Billings County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 623-4323 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Bottineau County	Bottineau County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 228-2740 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Bowman County	Bowman County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 523-5421 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Burke County	Burke County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 377-2311 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Burleigh County	Burleigh County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 222-6651 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Cass County	Cass County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 241-5800 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Cavalier County	Cavalier County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 256-2555 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Dickey County	Dickey County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 349-3249 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Divide County	Divide County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 965-6461 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Dunn County	Dunn County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 573-4449 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Eddy County	Eddy County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 947-5515 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Emmons County	Emmons County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 254-4411 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Foster County	Foster County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 652-2251 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Golden Valley County	Golden Valley County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 872-4733 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Grand Forks County	Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 780-8280 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Grant County	Grant County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 622-3331 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Griggs County	Griggs County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 797-2202 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Hettinger County	Hettinger County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 824-2935 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Kidder County	Kidder County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 475-2422 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
LaMoure County	LaMoure County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 883-5720 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Logan County	Logan County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 754-2495 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
McHenry County	McHenry County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 537-5633 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
McIntosh County	McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 288-5160 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
McKenzie County	McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 842-6010 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
McLean County	McLean County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 462-8103 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Mercer County	Mercer County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 745-3333 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Morton County	Morton County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 667-3330 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Mountrail County	Mountrail County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 628-2975 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Nelson County	Nelson County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 247-2474 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Oliver County	Oliver County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 794-3450 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Pembina County	Pembina County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 265-4122 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Pierce County	Pierce County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 776-5245 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Ramsey County	Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 662-0700 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Ransom County	Ransom County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 683-5255 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Renville County	Renville County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 756-6386 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Richland County	Richland County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 642-7711 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Rolette County	Rolette County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 477-5623 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Sargent County	Sargent County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 724-3302 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Sheridan County	Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 363-2200 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Sioux County	Sioux County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 854-3481 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Slope County	Slope County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 879-6271 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Stark County	Stark County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 456-7610 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Steele County	Steele County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 524-2742 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Stutsman County	Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 251-6200 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Towner County	Towner County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 968-4350 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Traill County	Traill County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 636-4510 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Walsh County	Walsh County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 352-2041 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Ward County	Ward County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 857-6500 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Wells County	Wells County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 547-3211 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified
Williams County	Williams County Sheriff’s Office	(701) 577-7700 sheriff’s office line (ND Peace Officer Standards and Training Board list) · Verified

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North Dakota State SAR