Washoe County Search & Rescue

04/19/2026

We are excited to announce a major milestone for search and rescue in our community. The Hasty Team, Specialized Vehicle Unit, and the legacy WCSAR team have officially joined forces to become a single, unified team under the Washoe County Search & Rescue (WCSAR) name.

By combining our specialized skills—from technical rope rescues and rapid response to off-road extraction—into one cohesive organization, we are streamlining our operations to serve our community better and faster.

While our new patches might look a little different, our commitment remains the same: So that others may live.

Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Mountain Rescue Association

04/19/2026

03/27/2026

One year ago today, WCSAR lost one of our own. Jeff Mohn was a longtime member of WCSAR and a veteran of other SAR teams from other places he had lived.

Jeff was one of our tracking experts and was instrumental in WCSAR becoming a fully-accredited Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) team. In addition to being one our Backcountry and Rope Rescue technicians, Jeff was a longtime ski patroller and enjoyed just about every other outdoor activity you could think of.

Jeff fought cancer for over two years and never gave up. He was an inspiration to us then, as he still is now.

And we miss him.

03/13/2026

On Tuesday, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office RAVEN Unit's Helicopter Rescue Team conducted hoist rescue training near Relay Peak (el.10,338') in the Mt Rose Wilderness. This training simulated the rapid deployment of Washoe County Search and Rescue Helicopter Rescue Technicians responding to an avalanche deep in the backcountry.

There are many popular backcountry ski areas in Washoe County and the surrounding region that would take ground-based rescuers hours to reach by snowshoes, skis, or tracked vehicles in the event of a serious emergency. With good weather, RAVEN can potentially deploy WCSAR Helicopter Rescue Technicians to many of these areas in an hour or less, providing potentially life-saving medical care and evacuation as quickly as possible.

Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Mountain Rescue Association
California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association
Sierra Avalanche Center

03/13/2026

As one of only 75 fully-accredited mountain rescue teams in North America, Washoe County Search and Rescue is proud to be a member of the national Mountain Rescue Association (MRA). In order to maintain our accreditation status, our team is required to pass a reaccreditation field test every March.

This year's test was for Technical Rock Rescue, simulating having to locate and rescue an individual who was "injured" after a long fall while rock climbing in a remote, mountainous area.

Last weekend, 24 members of our mountain rescue unit made the six hour trip to Monterey County, California to join other MRA teams from northern California for this annual peer-evaluated test of our experience, skills, and capabilities. After a long, challenging scenario in difficult terrain, the team passed our evaluation and continues to maintain our accreditation with the MRA.

Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Mountain Rescue Association
California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association

01/27/2026

Yesterday, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team's Backcountry Unit was dispatched to assist an injured hiker on the Ophir Creek Trail near Davis Creek Park after the hiker slipped on an icy section of trail and broke his leg.

WCSAR backcountry teams, working in conjunction with Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Engine 32, reached the patient about a quarter mile up the trail. Utilizing a stokes litter fitted with a wheel, along with a vacuum splint, crews stabilized the hiker and safely transported him to a waiting ambulance for care and transport to a local hospital.

This call was another example of the team work and collaboration we enjoy with our local partners at Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and REMSA Health.

Mountain Rescue Association
California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association
Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space
Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District
REMSA Health
Cascade Rescue Company

01/16/2026

Yesterday, members of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team's Dive Unit conducted night time ice dive training in Marilyn's Pond at Galena Creek Park. With a water temp of 37°F and near zero visibility, it was brisk 🥶 and dark 👀!

While our divers were trying to stay warm in Marilyn's Pond, members of our Backcountry and Mountain Rescue Teams were higher up in the mountains at Tahoe Meadows completing their A3 Pro 1 Avalanche Rescue Test, which they're required to pass annually.

Washoe County Search and Rescue's professional volunteers train every week throughout the year to maintain a high level of technical proficiency in multiple rescue disciplines, including: backcountry and mountain rescue, technical rope rescue, abandoned mine rescue, swiftwater and flood rescue, dive rescue, helicopter hoist rescue, boats, ATVs, tracked snow machines, and advanced ALS-level wilderness medicine, in order to be able to effectively respond to any requests for assistance in Washoe County and throughout the region, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Mountain Rescue Association
California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association
Sierra Avalanche Center
Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space
DUI - Diving Unlimited International
Ocean Technology Systems
American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education

01/09/2026