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
There are three ways to serve: as a Field Volunteer, a Support Volunteer, or a Community Support Volunteer. The Applicant Information Packet explains each role, and you'll tell us which interests you on your application.
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 for every volunteer by an onboarding
milestone (typically by Qualification Day, depending on role), 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.
Fall 2026 Info Sessions (about one hour each)
● Thursday, October 8, 6:00–7:00 PM — In person, North Bonneville Fire Department.
Stay after for the All-Hands meeting at 7:00 PM and you'll meet both requirements in one evening.
● Saturday, October 10, 2:00–3:00 PM — In person, North Bonneville Fire Department
● Wednesday, October 14, 7:00–8:00 PM — Virtual (Google Meet; link sent after you RSVP
Please RSVP using this link for one of the sessions listed above:
https://forms.gle/4S9gBUs6gk86cf5N7
Info Sessions may be cancelled with no notice if no RSVPs are received for a scheduled
date/time.
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 Application Package documents linked below
○ Read the Applicant Information Packet first
○ Complete the fillable Application and Background Check forms
○ Send the completed forms, with any certificates you already hold, in one email to
recruiting@scsosar.org during the open application window.
■ Email Subject line: Fall 2026 Application – Last Name, First Name.
New Volunteer Application Package
Links to the documents below for the Fall 2026 cycle will be live by October 1st.
1 - Applicant Information Packet
2 - Application & Questionnaire (fillable)
3 - Background Check & DEM Form (fillable)
4 - Tier I 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 15 interviewees are extended an invitation to SCSOSAR Academy, across all
roles, with a deadline to accept. Some Support and Community Support roles may not
require Academy; those placements are at SCSOSAR's discretion after interviews.
● 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 (in person, around 4+ hours), required for every role
○ two 8-hour hands-on instruction days
○ a hands-on Qualification Day (4–8 hours).
Hands-on days and Qualification Day are required for Field Volunteers and depend on the role
for Support and Community Support Volunteers. All efforts are made to hold the Academy
across weekend dates.
The Fall/Winter 2026 application submission window:
Opens: October 1, 2026
Closes: October 31, 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Key dates:
● Interview invitations November 10–11
● Interviews November 12–16 (backup dates November 21–22)
● Academy invitations December 7
● Orientation January 9, 2027
● The Applicant Information Packet lists every date, including backup dates.
● 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 Team
meeting for the latest.
Questions