Crook County Sheriff
Search and Rescue

About Us

Crook County Sheriff Search and Rescue is an all-volunteer unit whose responsibility is to provide search and rescue services to people using the backcountry and recreational areas of Crook County and serve as a supplemental resource for other counties. Examples of missions are lost hikers and hunters, missing snowmobilers and bikers, and water rescue and recoveries. The majority of deployments occur within the Ochoco National Forest and the area of Bureau of Land Management. Although we are volunteers, we are part of the Crook County Sheriff's Office, and are bound by various laws and guidelines. Our main contact with the Sheriff's Office is the Search and Rescue Coordinator, who attends our meetings and training sessions, and initiates callouts.

Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 401 provide for Emergency Management and Search and Rescue, and designate the county sheriff as responsible for search and rescue (401.560). This is a largely unfunded mandate, and the sheriff relies on volunteers to staff the search and rescue organization under his guidance. Our SAR Plan is here.

We currently number approximately 50 active members, male and female, from all walks of life, with unique skills and gifts - all genuinely dedicated to helping others. We also have several certified K-9 units.

We train on location several times each year to maintain our preparedness and familiarity with the specialized equipment required for searches and rescues in the backcountry. We use four wheelers, snowmobiles, sleds, litters, and ropes, among other equipment. We also have extensive classroom training; upon successful completion of that training, our members earn the State of Oregon Search and Rescue Certification.

We purchase our own personal equipment; if you are a camper or hunter you likely already own much of the recommended gear.