Virginia Search & Rescue Virginia 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 in remote areas. Our team also utilizes an advanced drone with cameras and thermal capabilities. 

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.

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

Our 30 team members are from across the commonwealth of Virginia with a few in Southeastern West Virginia. We officially started in early 2018 with the goal of reaching out to the missing/lost person(s), their families and emergency agencies in several ways: 1. By responding with a trained, equipped and dedicated team to search in any condition to restore loved ones to family and safety. 2. To show the love and compassion of God to all involved in their difficult times. 3. To assist local emergency agencies by providing specially trained and experienced Search and Rescue personnel and equipment.

We continue to train and work hard to become more efficient and effective. Our resources are available across the commonwealth of Virginia and the surrounding states.

Our Equipment

For more information click on pictures

Command Trailer

Sonar Boat

Inflatable Boat

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 Virginia SAR team members are required to hold the following certifications:

ICS 100, 700 & 800  •  CPR & First Aid  •  National Park Basic SAR
OSHA Blood-borne Pathogens  •  VDEM STM Course

• ICS 100, 700 & 800
• CPR & First Aid
• National Park Basic SAR
• OSHA Blood-borne Pathogens
• VDEM STM Course

Many of our team members are certified in the following areas:

ICS 200 & 809  •  State Approved Boaters Safety Course
Firefighter  •  Hazmat Awareness & Operation  •  EMT
VDEM STL Course  •  VDEM Management Team Operations

• ICS 200 & 809
• State Approved Boaters Safety Course
• Firefighter
• Hazmat Awareness & Operation
• EMT
• VDEM STL Course
• VDEM Management Team Operations

Testimonials

It was so refreshing to be with a team like you, you guys are awesome! 

— T Cannon - NPS Ranger

Thank you so much. I cannot believe the effort that was put into finding him. We are so grateful! 

— Mother of a subject found alive by our team

My blood pressure always drops when I hear you are on scene, I know everything will be alright. 

— A Clark - K9 handler from another SAR team

Ohio SAR Team Training

Our Team

Alan Ray Heatwole
Andre Weaver
Anthony Miller
Austin Heatwole
Brandon Nolt
Daniel Showalter
David Hartzler
David Zook
Duane Showalter
Eric Fisher
Ian Henry McGuire
Jamin Mast
Jeremy Weaver
Jeremy Zook
Joel Zook
Jonathan Troyer
Joseph Showalter
Joseph Yoder
Kevin Good
Leroy Schrock
Mark McLaughlin
Michael Wenger
Mike Fisher
Monroe Chupp
Nicolay Gura
Peter Fox
Randall Zook
Richard Helmuth
Simon Kinsinger
Travis Brougher
Trenton Good
Trevon Martin
Wayne Yoder

Recent Activity & Incidents

Dates

Incident Location

Operation

Team(s) Involved

Aug 28, 2021 - Aug 29, 2021

Addison, PA

Water

Pennsylvania, Virginia

Aug 28, 2021

Millersville, PA

Land

Pennsylvania, Virginia

Jun 25, 2021

Salem, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Jun 21, 2021

Lynchburg, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

May 27, 2021

Ripplemead, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

May 23, 2021

Farmville, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

May 14, 2021 - May 22, 2021

Pikeville, TN

Wilderness

Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia

May 04, 2021 - May 05, 2021

Pamplin, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Apr 24, 2021

Luray, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Apr 20, 2021 - Apr 23, 2021

Whitewood, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Apr 10, 2021

Huddleston, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Mar 06, 2021

Redford, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Jan 03, 2021

Lunenburg, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Oct 28, 2020

Christiansburg, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Oct 26, 2020

Danville, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Oct 17, 2020

Warm Springs, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Sep 25, 2020

Jonesville, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Sep 25, 2020

Nathanlie, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Aug 02, 2020

Blackwater, VA

Wilderness

Virginia

Jul 29, 2020

Long Island, VA

Wilderness

Virginia


~ Submit Incident Report

Dates: 08/28/2021 - 08/29/2021
Location: Addison, PA
Operation: Water
Team(s) Involved: Pennsylvania, Virginia
Dates: 08/28/2021
Location: Millersville, PA
Operation: Land
Team(s) Involved: Pennsylvania, Virginia
Dates: 06/25/2021
Location: Salem, VA
Operation: Wilderness
Team(s) Involved: Virginia
Dates: 06/21/2021
Location: Lynchburg, VA
Operation: Wilderness
Team(s) Involved: Virginia
Dates: 05/27/2021
Location: Ripplemead, VA
Operation: Wilderness
Team(s) Involved: Virginia
Dates: 05/23/2021
Location: Farmville, VA
Operation: Wilderness
Team(s) Involved: Virginia
Dates: 05/14/2021 - 05/22/2021
Location: Pikeville, TN
Operation: Wilderness
Team(s) Involved: Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia
Dates: 05/04/2021 - 05/05/2021
Location: Pamplin, VA
Operation: Wilderness
Team(s) Involved: Virginia
Dates: 04/24/2021
Location: Luray, VA
Operation: Wilderness
Team(s) Involved: Virginia
Dates: 04/20/2021 - 04/23/2021
Location: Whitewood, VA
Operation: Wilderness
Team(s) Involved: Virginia

~ Submit Incident Report

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