Illinois Search & Rescue
What We Do
Wilderness
Our team is equipped to search, manage, or assist in missing incidents with mapping and tracking capabilities to efficiently search and log searched areas. We also have portable repeaters for clear communication.
Water
Our team has multiple boats and trained team members that can assist with searches for drowning victims. We utilize state of the art side scan SONAR and also have a towfish to obtain stable images in deep water. Our ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) allows us to use cameras and SONAR to clear points of interest or make body recoveries in up to 500 feet of water.
Disaster
Our team is available to assist in the aftermath of tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. We can assist with clearing areas and searching for survivors as well as tracking and managing the search and recovery efforts. Our team is trained to use the NIMS framework as well as the FEMA marking system for seamless integration with other teams.
About Our Team
The Illinois Search & Rescue team was established in April 2017. Our 34 team members are from conservative Christian communities in Illinois and Wisconsin, who are passionate about helping others.
Our goal is to be an effective resource to assist local law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, park services, and other responsible agencies with missing person searches.
We strive to maintain proficiency in our skills and work hard to stay current in training and equipment. Since our team is volunteer based, we do not charge for our services. Our ultimate goal is to show the compassion and love of Christ to people in distress.
Our Equipment
Command Staging Trailer
Outland ROV
Inflatable Boat
Sonar Boat
Klein Towfish
GPS Tracking & Mapping Software
Our Training
Our team works hard to be proficient at what we do. We take our certificates and training seriously and do what we can to increase our knowledge of search and rescue topics. This continued training increases our efficiency and makes our scenes safer for all involved.
All Illinois SAR team members are required to hold the following certifications:
CPR & First Aid • State Approved Boaters Safety Course
ICS 100, 200, 700, 800
• CPR & First Aid
• State Approved Boaters Safety Course
• ICS 100, 200, 700, 800
Many of our team members are certified in the following areas:
Life Flight Safety/Utilization In-Service • First Responder Defibrillator
Swift Water Awareness • SARTech II
• Life Flight Safety/Utilization In-Service
• First Responder Defibrillator
• Swift Water Awareness
• SARTech II
Testimonials
As I prayed – I heard something above me and I called out “I’m down here”. I remember hearing “we’re coming!” and I was ready to keep living. I remember seeing your faces on the hill. It was dark, but your faces shined like beams of light and hope. I can’t express in words to thank you enough for my second chance at living for Jesus.
Thanks to God & you, she was found alive!! There are no words to adequately express our gratitude & appreciation for your amazing work! To God be the glory!! Thank you for helping people in distress all over the world. May God bless you all!
Thanks again for all you do when people are at their lowest times of their life! I know it was certainly appreciated by the family!!
Our Team
Alan Garretson
Brenton Blosser
Brian Kropf
Cody Hostetler
Colin Kropf
Craig Kropf
Darwin Hostetler
Daryl Headings
David Hostetler
Dustin Kropf
Edwin Blosser
Eldon Mark Byers
Gary Blosser
Greg Garretson
Joel Baker
Josh Hostetler
Josiah Hostetler
Leland Hostetler
Lynn Kropf
Marvin Garretson
Matthias Hostetler
Micah Byers
Ralph Kropf
Ricky Miller
Roger Garretson
Simeon Showalter
Steve Kropf
Todd Blosser
Trent Hostetler
Trevis Blosser
Weldon Shrock
Recent Activity & Incidents
Dates
Incident Location
Operation
Dec 10, 2022
Petersburg, IL
Water
Nov 29, 2022 - Dec 02, 2022
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Water
Aug 03, 2022
Dixon, IL
Water
Jul 31, 2022
Blue River, WI
Water
Jul 10, 2022
Prophetstown, IL
Water
Jun 23, 2022
Sherrill, IA
Water
Jun 12, 2022 - Jun 14, 2022
Utica, IL
Water
May 14, 2022
Sullivan, IL
Water
Apr 12, 2022 - Apr 16, 2022
Forreston, IL
Water/Land
Apr 03, 2022
Goshen, IN
Land
Mar 05, 2022 - Mar 08, 2022
Wickliffe, KY
Water
Jan 22, 2022
Spring Valley, IL
Land
Nov 07, 2021
Ladd, IL
Land
Oct 02, 2021
Tampico, IL
Land
Sep 04, 2021
LaSalle, IL
Wilderness/Water
Sep 02, 2021
Colona, IL
Land
Aug 28, 2021
Ottawa, IL
Land
Jul 08, 2021
Putnam, IL
Wilderness
May 17, 2021 - May 18, 2021
Prophetstown, IL
Water
Apr 05, 2021
Wyanet, IL
Wilderness
| Dates: | 12/10/2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Petersburg, IL |
| Operation: | Water |
| Team(s) Involved: | Illinois |
| Dates: | 11/29/2022 - 12/02/2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Lake Atitlan, Guatemala |
| Operation: | Water |
| Team(s) Involved: | Illinois, Pennsylvania |
| Dates: | 08/03/2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Dixon, IL |
| Operation: | Water |
| Team(s) Involved: | Illinois |
| Dates: | 07/31/2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Blue River, WI |
| Operation: | Water |
| Team(s) Involved: | Illinois |
| Dates: | 07/10/2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Prophetstown, IL |
| Operation: | Water |
| Team(s) Involved: | Illinois |
| Dates: | 06/23/2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Sherrill, IA |
| Operation: | Water |
| Team(s) Involved: | Illinois |
| Dates: | 06/12/2022 - 06/14/2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Utica, IL |
| Operation: | Water |
| Team(s) Involved: | Illinois |
| Dates: | 05/14/2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Sullivan, IL |
| Operation: | Water |
| Team(s) Involved: | Illinois |
| Dates: | 04/12/2022 - 04/16/2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Forreston, IL |
| Operation: | Water/Land |
| Team(s) Involved: | Illinois |
| Dates: | 04/03/2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Goshen, IN |
| Operation: | Land |
| Team(s) Involved: | Illinois, Ohio |