Join Us!
Become a Volunteer with Skamania County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
Skamania County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (SCSOSAR) is a team of dedicated volunteers supporting the Skamania County Sheriff's Office in search, rescue, and emergency response operations throughout the region.
Our volunteers respond to missing person searches, wilderness rescues, disaster support, and other emergency incidents across a wide range of terrain and weather conditions. The work is demanding, but deeply meaningful.
Search and Rescue is not a casual volunteer opportunity. Volunteer first responders commit to ongoing training, operational readiness, and teamwork in challenging environments. In return, they gain the opportunity to serve their community, develop valuable skills, and be part of a mission-driven team.
If you are looking for meaningful service that will challenge you, help you grow, and you are ready to commit to the expectations that come with being part of a volunteer first responder team, we would love to hear from you. No prior search and rescue experience is necessary. We're looking for people who are reliable, coachable, plus able and willing to commit — we'll teach you the rest.
What Our Volunteers Do
SCSOSAR volunteers bring a wide range of skills and backgrounds to the team. Volunteers participate in training and operations that may include:
● Ground search operations
● Technical rope rescue
● K9 search support
● Drone and aerial search support
● 4x4 and remote access operations
● Emergency medical support
● Swift water rescue
● Disaster and emergency response support
● Joint efforts with partner teams and organizations
● Community events and outreach
● Fundraising
● Committees and roles that keep the team running
Volunteers train regularly and work alongside the Skamania County Sheriff's Office and partner agencies.
Volunteer Expectations
Search and Rescue requires commitment and reliability. Volunteers are expected to:
● Attend regular team meetings and training events
● Maintain required certifications and training standards
● Participate in a percentage of search and rescue missions
● Maintain personal readiness and required equipment
● Uphold the professionalism and values of the team
Operational environments can include rugged terrain, remote locations, and severe weather conditions.
Getting Ready to Apply
You don't need any certifications or prior experience to apply. What matters most is your availability, team fit, and a first-responder mindset. That said, applicants who already hold some or all of the following — or a comparable combination of training — may be weighted more favorably in scoring, though holding them never guarantees advancement:
● First Aid / CPR / AED certification (Recommended organizations for this are listed in the Info Packet)
● FEMA IS-100 and IS-700 (Free, online, links in the Info Packet linked on this page)
These aren't required to apply, but they are required by Qualification Day of SCSOSAR Academy, so getting a head start is worth it if you're able.
Basic Requirements
Before you submit an application, you must have attended:
● One team All-Hands meeting in the last 3 months prior to application submission, and
● One Info Session in the last 8 months prior to application submission
Attending more than one All-Hands meeting before you apply is recommended, but not required — see below for "Get to Know SCSOSAR Before You Apply,
You'll also need a valid driver's license or state-issued ID, reliable transportation and insurance, and the ability to pass required background checks. Background checks are processed after an invitation to Academy is accepted, not during the application itself.
Additional training and certifications are completed from the beginning of Academy and onward.
Get to Know SCSOSAR Before You Apply
The strongest applications come from people who've spent some time with us first. As noted above, one Info Session and one All-Hands meeting are required before you apply — here's what each one is:
● Info Session — a short overview of who we are, what we do, and what the application and training process looks like. Info Sessions are held in the lead-up to each application window; one Info Session attended within the 8 months before you apply satisfies the requirement.
● All-Hands meetings — held the 2nd Thursday of every month, 7:00–9:00 PM, at the North Bonneville Fire Department. These are open to the public, and anyone interested in joining is welcome and encouraged to attend. One All-Hands meeting attended within the 3 months before you apply satisfies the requirement.
Attending more than one All-Hands meeting before you apply is recommended, not required. We take attendance at these meetings, and how often you've shown up before applying is one of the factors SCSOSAR considers when reviewing applications.
How to Apply
SCSOSAR accepts new volunteer applications during scheduled semi-annual application windows each year.
To get started:
● Attend an Info Session and an All-Hands meeting (see above) — the sooner, the better.
● Download the following New Volunteer Application Package docs, complete your application package, and send the full completed forms and any desired supporting documentation in one email to recruiting@scsosar.org during the open application window.
New Volunteer Application Package
Links to the documents below for the Fall 2026 cycle will be live by October 1st.
1-Info packet
2-Application and Questionnaire
3-Background and DEM form
4-Minimum Field ready hasty gear list
Our team calendar should reflect upcoming meetings, Info Sessions, and application windows. Please reach out to us with any questions.
What Happens After You Apply
● SCSOSAR reviews every application received during the open window.
● Up to 20 applicants are invited to interview.
● Up to 10 interviewees are extended an invitation to SCSOSAR Academy, with a deadline to accept.
● Background checks are processed after an Academy invitation is accepted.
● Academy is a minimum of four days over the course of 1-2 months:
○ an Orientation Day (partial day)
○ two 8-hour hands-on instruction days
○ a hands-on Qualification Day (4–8 hours).
All efforts are made to hold the Academy across weekend dates.
The Fall/Winter 2026 application window is:
October 1–31, 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Dates applicable to this application cycle and Academy should reflect on our team calendar as they're finalized — check back or attend an Info Session or All-Hands meeting for the latest.
Questions