Washington Search and Rescue: Who Leads & How to Request

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Washington Search and Rescue

Who leads searches in Washington, 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: 24-hour State Alert and Warning Center: 800-258-5990 · State SAR line: 888-849-2727. How a state request works ↓

Requesting state help in Washington

The chief law enforcement officer of each political subdivision (in practice the county sheriff, or the police chief inside a city) is responsible for local search and rescue. The local emergency management director supports the search, registers volunteers as emergency workers, and must notify the state Emergency Management Division of every SAR mission.

State 24-hour contact24-hour State Alert and Warning Center: 800-258-5990 · EMD Search and Rescue line 888-849-2727.
Requesting state resourcesThe local agency gets a state mission number from the Alert and Warning Center State Emergency Operations Officers (888-849-2727 or 800-258-5990). Mission numbers are for unplanned events needing volunteer response and cannot be used to search for or arrest suspects. Evidence searches use the Evidence Search Mission Request Form sent to DutyOfficer@mil.wa.gov.

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

Key numbers

Only figures with a published source.

39counties

U.S. Census Bureau boundaries.

U.S. Census Bureau ↗

18Discipline directories

BluePrintSAR resource pages for Washington (below).

How search and rescue is requested in Washington

Step 1In an emergency call 911. The sheriff (or city police chief) for the area is responsible for the search.
Step 2The local emergency management director supports the search and registers volunteers.
Step 3The local agency requests a state mission number from the State Emergency Operations Officers at the 24-hour Alert and Warning Center (800-258-5990; EMD's Search and Rescue line is 888-849-2727). Mission numbers are needed for volunteer coverage and reimbursement (WAC 118-04-240).
Step 4For evidence searches that do not involve catching a suspect, law enforcement submits the Evidence Search Mission Request Form to DutyOfficer@mil.wa.gov (WAC 118-04-260).
Step 5Out-of-area and state resources are coordinated through EMD; for large multi-jurisdiction incidents the state Rescue Coordination Center may be activated.
Step 6Federal military support needs an Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) mission number.

Law and authority

RCW 38.52.400

The chief law enforcement officer of each political subdivision is responsible for local SAR, run under state and local plans using the incident command system. The local emergency management director must notify the state of all SAR missions and registers SAR workers. The chief law enforcement officer may close a search area, and no unauthorized person may interfere with a SAR mission.

Read the source ↗

RCW 38.52.010 (definitions)

Defines 'search and rescue' and 'emergency worker' (a person registered with a local emergency management organization or the state who holds an emergency worker ID card).

Read the source ↗

RCW 38.52.310

Creates the emergency worker registration program.

Read the source ↗

RCW 38.52.410

Distribution of funds for compensation and reimbursement of SAR volunteers.

Read the source ↗

State plans and guidelines

Official plans, annexes and program documents for Washington.

Chapter 118-04 WAC (Emergency Worker Program) ↗ — Registration (WAC 118-04-080), SAR worker classes and qualifications (118-04-120), state standards (118-04-160), mission numbers (118-04-240, -260, -280) and injury compensation (118-04-320).

Resources by discipline

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

Listed in BluePrintSAR directories for Washington

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)

WSDOT coordinates missing-aircraft SAR; sheriffs request Navy, Coast Guard and county helicopters for land rescue.

How to request

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

Standards and policy

RCW 38.52 and WAC 118-04 cover registered emergency workers, including SAR volunteers, with liability, medical and property coverage on state mission numbers, but set no aircrew qualification standard. WSDOT trains and qualifies its volunteer search pilots and observers under RCW 47.68.380, and Civil Air Patrol crews follow CAP national rules. Sheriff, Navy, Army, Coast Guard and State Patrol crews follow their own agency standards; no recurrency cycle was published.

Washington Aviation (ANG / State) directory

Canine (K9)

County sheriffs and emergency management call out volunteer search dog units; there is no state-issued SAR dog certification

How to request

In Washington, the county sheriff runs land search and rescue (RCW 38.52.400) and calls registered volunteer units, including dog teams.

Standards and policy

Washington's Criminal Justice Training Commission certifies only law enforcement canines (patrol, explosives, narcotics) under WAC 139-05-915, valid 24 months, and says that rule does not limit volunteer canine teams. King County Search Dogs says its members complete core competency training following a statewide standard of the Washington State SAR Coordinators Association..

Washington 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 Washington

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. Washington is in the NCRC Pacific Northwest 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.

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

Cell Phone Forensics

Kelsey Smith Act law: yes (signed May 7, 2015). 4 agencies and resources listed. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In Washington, 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.

Washington Cell Phone Forensics directory

Coast Guard

Coast Guard district and 2 sectors covering Washington, plus 16 stations, local and volunteer units. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In Washington, 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.

Washington Coast Guard 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 Washington, 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.

Washington Communication directory

Dive & Underwater

4 dive and maritime-coordination references listed: 3 local dive programs and 1 Coast Guard sector.

How to request

In Washington, 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.

Washington Dive & Underwater directory

Drone / UAS

No Washington 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.

How to request

In Washington, 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.

Washington 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 Washington

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

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests it through Washington EMD. 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.

Washington National Guard directory Washington National Guard (official) ↗ State Guard websites (National Guard Bureau) ↗ Washington EMD ↗ 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 Washington

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

Washington 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 Washington

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators lists Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission, Boating Programs as Washington’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. On coastal waters and the Great Lakes, the U.S. Coast Guard coordinates maritime search and rescue.

Standards and policy

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

Washington Marine / WDFW Law Enforcement directory Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission, Boating Programs ↗ NASBLA Washington boating contacts ↗ State boating laws (USCG Boating Safety) ↗

Sheriff / Law Enforcement

The chief law enforcement officer of each political subdivision (in practice the county sheriff, or the police chief inside a city) is responsible for local search and rescue.

How to request

In an emergency call 911. The sheriff (or city police chief) for the area is responsible for the search.

Standards and policy

No state SAR card; registered emergency workers must meet WAC qualifications

Washington 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 Washington

Washington 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.

Washington State Parks & Recreation directory Washington 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 Washington

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

How to request

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

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.

Washington Swiftwater directory FEMA Swiftwater/Flood SAR Team definition ↗ Washington EMD ↗

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 Washington

Mountain Rescue Association member teams based in Washington: Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council; Central Washington Mountain Rescue; Everett Mountain Rescue Unit; Inland Northwest Search & Rescue; Olympic Mountain Rescue; Seattle Mountain Rescue; Skagit Mountain Rescue Unit; Tacoma Mountain Rescue; Volcano Rescue Team. Associate members: Chelan County Mountain Rescue.

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 Washington EMD.

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.

Washington Technical Mountain Rescue directory MRA Washington Region teams ↗ FEMA Mountain SAR Team definition ↗

USAR (FEMA / State Task Force)

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

How to request

In Washington, 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.

Washington 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 Washington

National forests and grasslands in Washington on the Forest Service’s list: Colville National Forest; Gifford Pinchot National Forest; Idaho Panhandle National Forests; Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; Olympic National Forest; Umatilla National Forest; Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The National Park Service lists 17 park sites in Washington.

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.

Washington National Forests & Parks (USFS / NPS) directory NPS sites in Washington ↗ 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 Washington

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

Washington UTV & ATV / Snowmobiles directory FEMA Land SAR Team definition ↗

39-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 39 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	(509) 659-1122 sheriff’s office line (also listed for county emergency management, WA EMD statewide contacts, Nov 2025) · Verified
Asotin County	Asotin County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 243-4717 sheriff’s office line (dispatch 509-758-2331) · Verified
Benton County	Benton County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 735-6555 sheriff’s office line (Kennewick) · Verified
Chelan County	Chelan County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 667-6851 sheriff’s office line (Washington 211 directory, hosted by WA Dept. of Health) · Verified
Clallam County	Clallam County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 417-2459 non-emergency dispatch, 24 hours (main 360-417-2262) · Verified
Clark County	Clark County Sheriff’s Office	(564) 397-2104 sheriff’s office line (Washington 211 directory, hosted by WA Dept. of Health) · Verified
Columbia County	Columbia County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 382-2518 communications center (administration 509-382-1100) · Verified
Cowlitz County	Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 577-3092 sheriff’s business line (City of Kelso agency list) · Verified
Douglas County	Douglas County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 884-0941 sheriff non-emergency (main 509-884-7173) · Verified
Ferry County	Ferry County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 775-3132 sheriff’s office, 24-hour access · Verified
Franklin County	Franklin County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 545-3501 sheriff’s office main line (non-emergency dispatch 509-628-0333) · Verified
Garfield County	Garfield County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 843-3494 sheriff’s office line (WA EMD statewide contacts, Nov 2025; matches Washington 211) · Verified
Grant County	Grant County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 754-2011 ext. 2001 sheriff’s office non-emergency line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Grays Harbor County	Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 249-3711 sheriff’s office main line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Island County	Island County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 678-4422 sheriff’s office line, Coupeville (county directory) · Verified
Jefferson County	Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 385-3831 sheriff’s office line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
King County	King County Sheriff’s Office	(206) 296-3311 sheriff’s office non-emergency line (KCSO contact page) · Verified
Kitsap County	Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 337-7101 sheriff’s office line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Kittitas County	Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 962-7525 sheriff’s office general line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Klickitat County	Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 773-4455 sheriff’s office line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Lewis County	Lewis County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 740-1105 non-emergency dispatch, Lewis County 911 Communications (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Lincoln County	Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 725-3501 sheriff’s office general line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Mason County	Mason County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 426-4441 non-emergency dispatch (county sheriff contact page) · Verified
Okanogan County	Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 422-7200 sheriff’s office main line (county directory) · Verified
Pacific County	Pacific County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 875-9397 non-emergency line, north county (sheriff contact page; south county 360-642-9397) · Verified
Pend Oreille County	Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 447-3151 sheriff’s office line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Pierce County	Pierce County Sheriff’s Office	(253) 287-4455 non-emergency line (Pierce County Sheriff contact page) · Verified
San Juan County	San Juan County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 378-4151 sheriff’s office line (county directory) · Verified
Skagit County	Skagit County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 416-1911 sheriff’s office main line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Skamania County	Skamania County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 427-9490 sheriff’s office main line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Snohomish County	Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office	(425) 388-3393 sheriff’s office administration line (sheriff contact page) · Verified
Spokane County	Spokane County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 456-2233 non-emergency Crime Check line (sheriff contacts page) · Verified
Stevens County	Stevens County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 684-5296 sheriff’s office line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Thurston County	Thurston County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 704-2740 non-emergency line, communications (sheriff contact page) · Verified
Wahkiakum County	Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 795-3242 sheriff’s office main line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified
Walla Walla County	Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 524-5400 sheriff’s office line (dispatch 509-527-3265) · Verified
Whatcom County	Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office	(360) 676-6911 non-emergency dispatch (reception 360-778-6600) · Verified
Whitman County	Whitman County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 397-6266 sheriff’s office main line (county sheriff page) · Verified
Yakima County	Yakima County Sheriff’s Office	(509) 574-2500 sheriff’s office line (Washington 211 directory) · Verified

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