Wyoming Search and Rescue
Who leads searches in Wyoming, how agencies request state help, and the resources behind them. Each item links to its source. Reviewed November 2026.
Emergency: call 911. State contact: SAR program 307-777-4907 · Homeland Security main line 307-777-4900. No 24-hour state duty line is published on the agency pages reviewed. How a state request works ↓
Requesting state help in Wyoming
The county sheriff is the official responsible for coordinating all search and rescue operations in the county. The state does not run searches; the Wyoming Department of Homeland Security and the Wyoming Search and Rescue Council support sheriffs, fund reimbursement and sponsor statewide training.
- State contactSAR program 307-777-4907 · Homeland Security main line 307-777-4900. No 24-hour state duty line is published on the agency pages reviewed.
- Requesting state resourcesFor state-level questions or program support, contact Wyoming Department of Homeland Security at 307-777-4900 or the SAR program at 307-777-4907.
Want to write the request out before you call? Use the request builder. Official agency: Wyoming Department of Homeland Security ↗.
Key numbers
Only figures with a published source.
BluePrintSAR resource pages for Wyoming (below).
How search and rescue is requested in Wyoming
- Step 1In an emergency call 911 or the county sheriff's office. The sheriff of the county where the person is missing leads and coordinates the search.
- Step 2The sheriff uses the county SAR team first, then neighboring counties through mutual aid.
- Step 3For air search and rescue support from the Wyoming Military Department, the sheriff or designee asks; the department works under the sheriff's direction.
- Step 4For state-level questions or program support, contact Wyoming Department of Homeland Security at 307-777-4900 or the SAR program at 307-777-4907.
- Step 5After the mission, the sheriff's office files the state Mission Report Form and may submit a reimbursement claim package.
Law and authority
Makes the sheriff the official responsible for coordination of all search and rescue operations within his or her jurisdiction.
Creates the Search and Rescue Account. Homeland Security reimburses counties for costs they directly incur in a specific SAR operation (priority use, no salaries or benefits), and may also spend on program administration, training, equipment and statewide overhead teams. Sheriffs file claims through Homeland Security to the Council; if money is short, claims are prorated. Gifts and donations go to the account.
Creates the 11-member Wyoming Search and Rescue Council (Homeland Security director or designee as permanent executive secretary; governor appoints three sheriffs, one county commissioner, one peace officer and five citizens). The Council adopts rules to administer the account.
The state military department may coordinate air search and rescue of persons and aircraft after an emergency, only under the requesting sheriff or the sheriff's designee.
State plans and guidelines
Official plans, annexes and program documents for Wyoming.
- Wyoming Search and Rescue Council rules, Chapter 1 (Section 1-3, Account Uses) ↗ — Rules for the account: claims are voluntary, one claim package per county per claim period, donations and insurance are deducted, body recovery and law-enforcement missions are generally not reimbursable, denials can be reconsidered within 30 days.
Resources by discipline
What each resource does, how it is requested in Wyoming, and the standards that apply.
Listed in BluePrintSAR directories for Wyoming
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 (WY ANG / State)
Volunteer county SAR teams in Wyoming request Wyoming Army National Guard Black Hawks, with trained hoist teams.
Canine (K9)
No state SAR dog standard; each sheriff sets standards for county SAR volunteers, including any K-9 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 March 13, 2020). 6 agencies and resources listed. All checked against a cited source.
Coast Guard Auxiliary
Coast Guard district and 1 sector covering Wyoming, plus 9 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
2 public safety and volunteer dive teams listed. All checked against a cited source.
Drone / UAS
No Wyoming statute specifically governs government drone use; FAA rules and agency policy apply. 5 agency and volunteer drone teams listed, each checked against a published source in October 2026.
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
The county sheriff is the official responsible for coordinating all search and rescue operations in the county.
State Parks
State agencyThe state park system, whose staff know park terrain and trails and support searches on park land.
Swiftwater & Flood Rescue
Teams that search for and rescue people and animals in swiftwater and floods, from shore and by boat.
Technical Mountain Rescue
MRA teams listedTeams for steep, high-angle and alpine terrain that use rope systems to reach and evacuate people.
USAR (FEMA / State Task Force)
No FEMA task force is based in Wyoming; federal teams come through FEMA.
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.
23-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 23 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albany County | Albany County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 721-2526 dispatch (main office 307-755-3520) · Verified |
| Big Horn County | Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 568-2324 sheriff’s office line (in-state 800-500-2324) · Verified |
| Campbell County | Campbell County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 682-7271 dispatch center (main office 307-687-6160) · Verified |
| Carbon County | Carbon County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 324-2776 sheriff’s office line (county directory) · Verified |
| Converse County | Converse County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 358-4700 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Crook County | Crook County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 283-1225 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Clerks’ Association) · Verified |
| Fremont County | Fremont County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 332-5611 Lander office (Riverton 307-856-7200, Dubois 307-455-2226) · Verified |
| Goshen County | Goshen County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 532-4026 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Hot Springs County | Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 864-2622 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association) · Verified |
| Johnson County | Johnson County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 684-5581 non-emergency · Verified |
| Laramie County | Laramie County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 633-4700 sheriff’s office main line · Verified |
| Lincoln County | Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 877-3971 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Natrona County | Natrona County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 235-9282 sheriff’s office line (county directory) · Verified |
| Niobrara County | Niobrara County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 334-2240 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Park County | Park County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 527-8700 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Platte County | Platte County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 322-2331 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Sheridan County | Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 672-3455 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Sublette County | Sublette County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 367-4378 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Sweetwater County | Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 922-5300 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Teton County | Teton County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 733-4052 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Uinta County | Uinta County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 783-1000 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Washakie County | Washakie County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 347-2242 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |
| Weston County | Weston County Sheriff’s Office | (307) 746-4441 sheriff’s office line (Wyoming County Commissioners Association county page) · Verified |