Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue
Serving Oregon's Region 2 and neighboring communities since 1993
The 2025 Application period is now open!
Application Requirements
1. Attend an informational session before applying. These sessions provide information on requirements to becoming an OSSA certified PNWSAR team member, including time commitment, associated costs, timeline, and background information. Attending an info session is required to be able to fill out an application.
All info sessions will be at 1800.
2024 dates of the info sessions are:
Oct. 7 (virtual) & Oct. 22 (virtual)
Nov. 11 (virtual) & Nov. 26 (virtual)
Dec. 17 (virtual)
If you are unable to join at any of the dates and times available, please reach out to recruitment@pnwsar.org to see about scheduling an ad-hoc info session.
To join virtually, use the link below:
A QR code for the application will be provided following the information session.
2. Attend at least one team meeting by Jan 14th.
Team meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, from 1900 to 2100, at the team 'house' which is located in the Colonial Business Center at 10776 SE Highway 212, 97015. If you attend in person, there will be a sign-in sheet for you to add your name to to ensure that your attendance is recorded. There is a virtual option for attending team meetings, but it is highly recommended to attend in person, as this is the best way to meet other members of the team. The virtual attendance link can be found on the 'Meetings' page of PNWSAR.org. If you do not attend a team meeting, you will be dropped from the application pool.
3. A $55 application fee is also required, but will be refunded if you are not selected during the application cycle. The application fee also covers the cost of 1 team shirt upon becoming operational.
4. Complete and submit FEMA courses by Jan 14th in order to be considered for an interview. Completion certificates can be sent to recruitment@pnwsar.org. The FEMA courses are:
If you have not completed the above requirements by the deadline, you will be dropped from the applicant pool.
Things you should know before submitting an application:
All members must be 18 or older.
This is a 100% volunteer organization, we do NOT get paid for our work.
SAR missions occur at any hour (day or night) in all types of weather conditions, and are urgent in nature. We search for all kinds of people in a variety of situations, including missing hikers, hunters, children, Alzheimer’s patients, suicide victims, body recoveries and evidence searches.
Membership is hard earned, but highly rewarding. State and team requirements must be met, within time requirements, before you can respond to missions.
Check out our FAQS page to learn more about what we do.
Interviews are mandatory
Upon successful review of your application, you will be invited to an in-person interview at the end of January. There will be several day/time options available. You must attend one interview session to be considered for prospective membership. If accepted you will begin your training as a prospective member March 1, 2025.
Time Commitment / Schedule
We're often asked about the time commitment required of our team members. Here is an outline of some of our non-mission commitments. Note: These are tentative and subject to change. The first 3 months are intensive.
Monthly Meetings (in-person or virtual)
Second Tuesday of every month
Prospects/Trainees classroom: 1800-1900 (March - October)
Full Team meeting: 1900-2100 (January - November)
In-Person General Team Field Trainings
Third weekend of every month
Saturday or Sunday
Typically 0900-1700
*cannot miss more than 2 consecutive trainings to remain operational
2025 Prospect Schedule
March 1st & 2nd (Mandatory Attendance)
April 12th
May 31st (Mandatory Attendance)
2025 Trainee Schedule
Specific dates TBD
Second or third weekend of every month
Saturday or Sunday (opposite day of the general training)
Typically 0900-1700