Volunteer
Interested in joining?
All applicants must:
- Pass a law enforcement background investigation
- Satisfactorily complete the Oregon State Sheriff's Association certified Search & Rescue Academy
- Possess a current, valid Oregon driver's license
- Become certified in First Aid and CPR
- Be at least 21 years old or 14+ for Youth Team
Probation Period
1 year probation period. During probation, trainees must complete the provided Search and Rescue Academy and are required to attend a minimum of 50% of monthly meetings and Saturday field training exercises. During the probationary period, members are eligible to participate in SAR missions but may be required to be paired with other SAR members in the field.
Search & Rescue Academy
Marion County Search and Rescue Applicants must, in their first year of membership, attend the annual Marion County Sheriff’s Office SAR Academy (usually held in the spring). Applicants must also pass a written and over night field examination to obtain SAR Certification. This is a large time commitment with over 90 hours of in-depth training. The complete Academy only has to be taken once (assuming you pass the final exam), but parts of it are frequently recommended to members as good refresher courses.
Required Training
- Map and compass
- First Aid
- Locating downed aircraft
- Treating hypothermia and heat stroke
- Crime scene procedures
- Spotting booby traps and drug sites
- Knots and ropes for evacuation
- Search procedures and patterns
- Person tracking techniques
- Wilderness survival
