Illinois Search & Rescue 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.

Ohio SAR Team Training

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

For more information click on pictures

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. 

— Lady rescued by the team

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! 

— Friend of missing person

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!! 

— Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Ohio SAR Team Training

Our Team

Alan Garretson
Brenton Blosser
Brian Kropf
Cody Hostetler
Colin Kropf
Craig Kropf
Darwin Hostetler
Daryl Headings
David Hostetler

Derek R Shrock
Dustin Kropf
Edwin Blosser
Eldon Mark Byers
Gary Blosser
Greg Garretson
Joel Baker
Josh Hostetler
Josiah Hostetler
Kenneth Headings
Leland Hostetler
Lynn Kropf
Marvin Garretson
Matthias Hostetler
Micah Byers
Ralph Kropf
Ricky Miller
Roger Garretson
Russell Kempf
Simeon Showalter
Steve Kropf
Todd Blosser
Trent Hostetler
Trevis Blosser
Weldon Shrock

Recent Activity & Incidents

Dates

Incident Location

Operation

Jul 22, 2023

Prophetstown, IL

Wilderness

Jul 07, 2023 - Jul 11, 2023

Freeport, IL

Wilderness/Water

Jul 03, 2023

Tampico, IL

Water

Jun 03, 2023

Bettendorf, IA

Water

May 01, 2023

Prophetstown, IL

Water

Apr 23, 2023

McHenry, IL

Wilderness

Mar 17, 2023 - Apr 09, 2023

Beaver Lake, AR

Water

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


~ Submit Incident Report

Dates: 07/22/2023
Location: Prophetstown, IL
Operation: Wilderness
Team(s) Involved: Illinois
Dates: 07/07/2023 - 07/11/2023
Location: Freeport, IL
Operation: Wilderness/Water
Team(s) Involved: Illinois
Dates: 07/03/2023
Location: Tampico, IL
Operation: Water
Team(s) Involved: Illinois
Dates: 06/03/2023
Location: Bettendorf, IA
Operation: Water
Team(s) Involved: Illinois
Dates: 05/01/2023
Location: Prophetstown, IL
Operation: Water
Team(s) Involved: Illinois
Dates: 04/23/2023
Location: McHenry, IL
Operation: Wilderness
Team(s) Involved: Illinois
Dates: 03/17/2023 - 04/09/2023
Location: Beaver Lake, AR
Operation: Water
Team(s) Involved: Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee
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

~ Submit Incident Report