Oklahoma Search and Rescue
Who leads searches in Oklahoma, how agencies request state help, and the resources behind them. Each item links to its source. Reviewed November 2026.
Emergency: call 911. State contact: OEM switchboard (405) 521-2481 (Mon–Fri 8–5) · Office of Homeland Security (405) 425-7296 (Mon–Fri 8–4:45). OEM does not publish a 24-hour line; in an emergency call 911. How a state request works ↓
Requesting state help in Oklahoma
No Oklahoma statute names a lead agency for search and rescue. Missing-person searches are led by the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction (county sheriff or city police), often with help from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, volunteer SAR groups and, on lakes, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol dive team.
- State contactOEM switchboard (405) 521-2481 (Mon–Fri 8–5) · Office of Homeland Security (405) 425-7296 (Mon–Fri 8–4:45). OEM does not publish a 24-hour line; in an emergency call 911.
- Requesting state resourcesThe lead agency calls in local fire, neighboring agencies and volunteer SAR teams. Neighboring jurisdictions can help each other directly under the Oklahoma Intrastate Mutual Aid Compact.
Want to write the request out before you call? Use the request builder. Official agency: OEM ↗.
Key numbers
Only figures with a published source.
BluePrintSAR resource pages for Oklahoma (below).
How search and rescue is requested in Oklahoma
- Step 1In an emergency call 911. The local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction (usually the county sheriff or city police) leads a missing-person search.
- Step 2The lead agency calls in local fire, neighboring agencies and volunteer SAR teams. Neighboring jurisdictions can help each other directly under the Oklahoma Intrastate Mutual Aid Compact.
- Step 3For state resources (Highway Patrol, Wildlife Conservation, National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, technical rescue or OK-TF1), the county emergency manager requests them through the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (405-521-2481), which coordinates ESF-9 with the Office of Homeland Security.
- Step 4Only responders who were requested or authorized by a participating jurisdiction get the protections of the mutual aid compact.
Law and authority
Statewide mutual aid among counties, cities, tribes (unless they opt out) and universities. Routine day-to-day help is not reimbursed; disaster help may be reimbursed under FEMA policy. Responders who were not requested or authorized get no immunity.
Defines emergency management workers to include paid, volunteer and auxiliary workers under official supervision; keeps their workers' compensation and pension rights.
State officers, employees and accepted volunteers are not civilly liable for actions under the Emergency Management Act unless grossly negligent, willful or wanton.
State plans and guidelines
Official plans, annexes and program documents for Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma State Emergency Operations Plan (Oct 2025) ↗ — Oklahoma Emergency Management state EOP, dated 1 October 2025.
- Oklahoma Emergency Support Functions ↗ — OEM page listing the state emergency support functions and their annexes.
Resources by discipline
What each resource does, how it is requested in Oklahoma, and the standards that apply.
Listed in BluePrintSAR directories for Oklahoma
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 (OHP / ANG)
Guard Black Hawks with Oklahoma Task Force 1 rescuers form the state helicopter hoist team; Highway Patrol, Oklahoma City and Tulsa police helicopters and Civil Air Patrol fly searches.
Canine (K9)
No state SAR dog certification; Oklahoma Task Force 1 fields Live Find and HRD K9s, and volunteer groups train their own teams
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: yes (signed May 3, 2021). 5 agencies and resources listed. All checked against a cited source.
Coast Guard Auxiliary
Coast Guard district and 1 sector covering Oklahoma, plus 6 stations, local and volunteer units. All checked against a cited source.
Communication
National SAR and interoperability channels from the NIFOG, plus 4 state, local and volunteer radio systems and groups. All checked against official sources.
Dive & Underwater
4 public safety and volunteer dive teams listed. All checked against a cited source.
Drone / UAS
No Oklahoma statute specifically governs government drone use; FAA rules and agency policy apply. 6 agency and volunteer drone teams listed, each checked against a published source.
National Guard
Governor-activatedMilitary helicopters and personnel for hoist rescue, aerial search and ground support when civilian resources can’t do the job.
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.
Sheriff / Law Enforcement
No Oklahoma statute names a lead agency for search and rescue.
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 Force)
1 state or regional US&R team 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.
77-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 77 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Adair County | Adair County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 696-2106 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Alfalfa County | Alfalfa County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 596-3269 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Atoka County | Atoka County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 889-2221 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Beaver County | Beaver County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 625-4549 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Beckham County | Beckham County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 928-8951 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Blaine County | Blaine County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 623-5111 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Bryan County | Bryan County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 924-3000 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Caddo County | Caddo County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 247-6666 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Canadian County | Canadian County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 262-3434 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Carter County | Carter County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 221-5506 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Cherokee County | Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 456-2583 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Choctaw County | Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 326-2000 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Cimarron County | Cimarron County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 544-2020 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Cleveland County | Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 701-8888 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Coal County | Coal County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 927-2121 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Comanche County | Comanche County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 353-4280 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Cotton County | Cotton County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 875-3383 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Craig County | Craig County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 256-6466 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Creek County | Creek County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 227-6374 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Custer County | Custer County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 323-1616 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Delaware County | Delaware County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 253-2700 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Dewey County | Dewey County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 328-5558 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Ellis County | Ellis County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 885-7377 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Garfield County | Garfield County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 237-0240 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Garvin County | Garvin County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 238-7591 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Grady County | Grady County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 222-5085 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Grant County | Grant County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 395-2356 sheriff’s office main line (county website) · Verified |
| Greer County | Greer County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 782-3065 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Harmon County | Harmon County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 688-3306 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Harper County | Harper County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 735-2213 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Haskell County | Haskell County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 967-2400 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Hughes County | Hughes County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 379-2203 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Jackson County | Jackson County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 482-0408 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Jefferson County | Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 228-2375 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Johnston County | Johnston County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 371-2646 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Kay County | Kay County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 362-3250 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Kingfisher County | Kingfisher County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 375-4242 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Kiowa County | Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 726-3265 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Latimer County | Latimer County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 465-4013 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Le Flore County | Le Flore County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 647-3426 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Lincoln County | Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 258-1191 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Logan County | Logan County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 282-4100 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Love County | Love County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 276-3150 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Major County | Major County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 227-4471 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Marshall County | Marshall County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 795-2221 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Mayes County | Mayes County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 825-3535 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| McClain County | McClain County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 527-2141 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| McCurtain County | McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 286-3331 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| McIntosh County | McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 689-2526 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Murray County | Murray County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 622-5110 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Muskogee County | Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 687-0202 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Noble County | Noble County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 336-3517 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Nowata County | Nowata County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 273-2287 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Okfuskee County | Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 623-1122 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Oklahoma County | Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 713-1000 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Okmulgee County | Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 756-4311 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Osage County | Osage County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 287-3535 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Ottawa County | Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 542-2806 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Pawnee County | Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 762-2565 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Payne County | Payne County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 372-4522 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Pittsburg County | Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 423-5858 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Pontotoc County | Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 332-4169 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Pottawatomie County | Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 275-2526 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Pushmataha County | Pushmataha County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 298-2475 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Roger Mills County | Roger Mills County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 497-2417 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Rogers County | Rogers County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 342-9700 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Seminole County | Seminole County Sheriff’s Office | (405) 257-5445 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Sequoyah County | Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 775-1213 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Stephens County | Stephens County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 255-3131 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Texas County | Texas County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 338-4000 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Tillman County | Tillman County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 335-3013 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Tulsa County | Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 596-5600 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Wagoner County | Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 485-3124 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Washington County | Washington County Sheriff’s Office | (918) 332-4000 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Washita County | Washita County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 832-2370 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Woods County | Woods County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 327-3434 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |
| Woodward County | Woodward County Sheriff’s Office | (580) 256-3264 sheriff’s office line (Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association sheriffs map, 2021 update) · Verified |