King County Search and Rescue

08/29/2026

Last night, after a week with SIX active missions, over 60 members across 6 different SAR units completed their first joint Mayday training event—a simulation dedicated entirely to responder rescue.

Every time these teams push out into the dark, navigating weather, steep terrain, and exhaustion, their ultimate goal is to bring someone’s loved one home. But to serve effectively, they also have to face a hard truth: they must be equally prepared to bring one of their own home if a SAR volunteer suffers a critical injury or emergency in the field.

This initiative took 6 months of intensive, collaborative planning. The multi-unit planning team spent many hours analyzing historic case studies to build a realistic, practical scenario that addresses the real-world hazards searchers face. Developed with support from the King County Sheriff's Office this effort represents a shared commitment to championing searcher safety and building better safeguards for everyone who puts on a SAR pack.

The volunteers undertake this training with one simple hope: that they never have to use it. But in search and rescue, hope isn't a strategy—preparation is.

To our fellow SAR units: If you have protocols, lessons learned, or insights from your own experiences, we would love to connect and learn from you as we continue refining this process.

Participating Units:
King County Explorer Search and Rescue
King County 4x4 Search and Rescue
King County Search Dogs
King County Incident Support Team
SPART
Regional Special Vehicles Unit - RSVU.org

08/14/2026

An epic search and rescue mission, as imagined by a 5-year-old!

We’re loving this detailed scene from our young friend! After seeing the tools and vehicles out at the trailhead, he drew this action-packed rescue high in the mountains. He even made sure to include the drone he got to see, complete with giant props hovering above the peaks!

Looks like we’ve got some serious potential in the next generation of SAR. This is going right up on our board, buddy! Thank you for making our day. ❤️

A big shoutout to the all-volunteers units who inspired this drawing:
King County Explorer Search and Rescue
Regional Special Vehicles Unit - RSVU.org
King County 4x4 Search and Rescue
Seattle Mountain Rescue

08/05/2026

The 10 Essentials keep you safe in an emergency—preventative education keeps you out of one in the first place. King County Explorer Search and Rescue has proudly partnered with Conservation Northwest in the past, and their work in wildlife safety and trail conservation is like an 11th essential for outdoor enthusiasts. Volunteering as a CNW ambassador helps prepare recreationists before they hit the trail, directly supporting the broader rescue community by preventing emergencies before they start.

Ready to make a difference? The Wildlife Ambassador Program is looking for additional volunteers for our summer field season! 🌲🐾

Join us at trailheads to connect with recreationists and share simple, effective ways to keep wildlife and Washington’s wild places safe. From proper food storage to giving animals space, every conversation helps reduce conflict and protect the landscapes we all love.

Sign up TODAY at the link in bio!

07/27/2026

Sunday afternoon's mission capped off a busy weekend for all the units of KCSAR including multiple incident responses, training activities, and public outreach events. In addition to the teams shown in the photos, other skilled SAR volunteers provided essential support at the trailhead and behind the scenes. Thank you to all who chose to engage with and serve our community this weekend!

07/20/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of K9 Lincoln from King County Search Dogs this past weekend.

Please take a moment to visit their page to leave a message of support for Lincoln's handler, family, and the team. The bond between a search dog and handler is truly extraordinary, and the work they do is irreplaceable: they bring loved ones home.

Rest easy, Lincoln, and thank you for your service. 🌈🐾

💔 Heartbroken: K9 Lincoln’s search bells have gone silent after a remarkable life of service, achievement, and wholehearted joy.

An energetic Flat-Coated Retriever, Lincoln was an exceptional search dog with an unforgettable personality who always greeted the search subjects he found with a large ‘kiss’. He responded to over 150 search missions and had KCSD and NSDA certifications in wilderness airscent and human remains detection. In 2022, he received the AKC Search and Rescue Award for Canine Excellence for some of his finds. He represented search and rescue dogs before a national audience on ABC and ESPN, bringing his unmistakable enthusiasm to every moment.

Lincoln and his handler, Jon, built a partnership through years of training, missions, trust, and love. Together, they were wonderful ambassadors for KCSD and familiar faces at demonstrations, fundraisers, and events. Their work showed what is possible when a talented dog, a devoted handler, and a community of mentors and teammates align.

Dogs live in the moment, and Lincoln filled his moments completely. His life was rich with meaningful work, great adventures, beloved people, and extraordinary achievements. His legacy lives in the people he helped bring home, the teams he inspired, and the many hearts made better by knowing him.

Please join us in sending our love and condolences to Jon, Edith, K9 Puzzle, and everyone who loved Lincoln. We also invite you to share your memories of this extraordinary dog below.

Rest well, good boy. We are endlessly proud of you.

06/18/2026

A Lifesaving Response (June 17, 2026)

📣Recognizing our Rapid Alpine Deployment (RAD) Team Members from King County Explorer Search and Rescue and Regional Special Vehicles Unit - RSVU.org

We would like to bring recognition to the swift and decisive actions of two RAD Team volunteers from an incident out at Franklin Falls earlier today.

While attempting to cross a creek, a 5-year-old child stepped into a deep hole. The current immediately swept her feet out from under her, carrying her downstream in 40-degree water.

The two members from King County Explorer Search and Rescue acted without hesitation. Both volunteers entered the thigh-deep, freezing water, reached the child, and pulled her to safety before she could be carried further down the creek.

⏱️Why Their Quick Action Mattered:

The environment downstream presented life-threatening hazards. Just below the rescue site, the creek narrows into a steep, rocky slot canyon that is difficult to access by trail. Several large log jams created a "strainer" hazard where water can pin a person underneath.

It is easy to look at this and think that it was luck of the draw that the RAD team was out at Franklin Falls today - we were in the right place, at the right time. But it's not just luck, it's strategic deployment. Our teams map common "hot spots" along the I-90 corridor that our volunteers proactively deploy to during the summer months, particularly during times of increased tourism like we're seeing right now. Accidents happen, and we know it's when, not if we'll get the call!

King County Sheriff's Office Marine Rescue Dive Unit and Valley Pool Together both have great tips on staying safe around water.

06/16/2026

🚨 SAR Mission Response -- Mount Si Trail -- 6/16/2026 AS OF 3:00 PM

"Multiple units from King County SAR are responding to reports of a bear attack on Mount Si. As a precautionary measure and under direction from WDFW, the trail has been closed while WDFW works to locate the bear. At this time, our focus is supporting the safe extraction of the two subjects and ensuring the safety of our volunteers and the public." -- Sara Autio, King County SAR PIO.

This incident serves as an important reminder to remain wildlife aware while recreating outdoors, stay alert to your surroundings, and be prepared for changing conditions in the backcountry. This reminder is more important than ever as our city is experiencing high volumes of tourism around the ⚽️ Cup.

Questions regarding subject medical should be directed to King County Sheriff's Office or Eastside Fire & Rescue.

We will continue to share status updates as available on this page.

Two people were injured in a bear encounter at Mount Si on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a response from the King County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies.The

06/16/2026

Eastside Fire & Rescue and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife have Mt Si Trails closed due to bear activity. At this time, they are reporting two people injured from the encounter with the bear. They have crews working to bring both patients off the trail alongside Regional Special Vehicles Unit - RSVU.org King County Explorer Search and Rescue Seattle Mountain Rescue while Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife works to locate the bear.

Please stay clear of this area and let your fellow hiking groups know to help keep each other safe.

King County Sheriff's Office
Washington Trails Association

****UPDATE*****

Both subjects have been brought safely off the trail as of 4:15pm.
It was reported to be a mama bear and cub. Trail is still closed.

06/12/2026

Today’s team ➡️ you’re awesome!

King County Explorer Search and Rescue

06/05/2026

We love our partners at Washington Trails Association - especially you, Loren!🥰

Thanks for giving them room to train Seattle Mountain Rescue