Search and Rescue

In accordance with Wyoming Law, the Teton County Sheriff is responsible for providing Search and Rescue services in the County. To that end, the Sheriff maintains an all volunteer Search and Rescue Team. The Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) team is managed by a volunteer elected board of five team members. The Sheriff appoints a Deputy to act as liaison between the volunteer team and the Sheriff’s Office and provides an Administrator.

The Sheriff provides funding for actual search and rescue (SAR) operations, part of which is refunded through the State SAR Fund. The Sheriff also funds the Administrator position. Actual SAR operations are only part of the funding picture. All of TCSAR’s equipment, training, and public education costs are funded from private donations. Without private donations, TCSAR would not have the skill or equipment to do their job. This would be a grim scenario, after all, there is no one out there to rescue the rescuers.

TCSAR relies heavily on experienced volunteers to provide regular training. This is augmented by bringing in professional trainers to introduce new and improved techniques and technology in rescue. TCSAR also sends a few members to "train the trainer" type sessions to enhance it’s local volunteer trainer resources.

TCSAR trains by creating real life scenarios of possible incidents within their area of service. All this training on a regular basis is hard on equipment. To maintain the highest safety levels, worn equipment must be replaced on a regular basis. Sometimes, new techniques or technology warrant new and different equipment. Then there’s a perpetual wish list of equipment that’s really useful that they’ve somehow managed to do without.

The variety of incidents that TCSAR must be ready to respond to is staggering. (See incident history here.) The training and equipment needs are often unique for each type of incident. Despite all the real life scenarios they train for, when it comes to a REAL incident, it is rarely by the book. SAR managers must often combine experience, creativity, and ingenuity to effect a rescue that is safe and expedient despite limited resources and difficult environments.

Don’t let their job be harder and more dangerous than it is, help ensure they have the training and equipment they need.

Direct contributions can be sent to the address on the TCSAR Contact Page. Feel free to call if you have any questions.

You can make your money go farther with a matching grant from "Old Bill" by donating to TCSAR through Old Bill’s Fun Run. This program is a tremendous benefit to many worthy non-profit organizations in Jackson Hole.

The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole keeps track of all local non-profits and can assist in aligning your support with your philanthropic interests.

Keep your eyes and ears open, several local businesses often sponsor interesting events throughout the year that benefit Teton County Search and Rescue.