Ruby Valley Search & Rescue

05/26/2026

Ruby Valley Search and Rescue conducted intensive Swiftwater rescue training last weekend, May 15-17, to enhance our team's life-saving capabilities in water emergencies. Under the instruction of Jon Obst from Libby Montana's David Thompson Search and Rescue unit, our members practiced critical rescue techniques including throwing rescue devices to victims, swimming rescues in moving water, cut-away drills for entanglement scenarios, and strainer drills to navigate obstacles. The training also incorporated operations with our jet boat, and culminated Sunday in a comprehensive mock drill where our team successfully rescued multiple victims with varying injuries from different locations along the river.

We'd like to extend special thanks to Alyssa Johnson for capturing some excellent photos of our training exercises. The complete photo album from this event can be viewed at https://alyssajohnsonphotography2.pixieset.com/rvsarswiftwater2026/ Additional photos from the training are included with this post. Thank you to Jon Obst for sharing his expertise and traveling to conduct this valuable training, and to all Ruby Valley Search and Rescue members who dedicated their weekend to improving their rescue skills and better serving our community.

12/24/2025

As we approach the end of another successful year, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who have made this possible.

First and foremost, we extend a huge thank you to our incredible members. Your dedication, hard work, and countless hours spent in training and missions have been the backbone of our organization. Your commitment to serving our community is truly inspiring, and we are forever grateful for the time and effort you invest in keeping our valley safe.

A massive shout-out to our generous donors as well! Your kindness and support have been instrumental in providing us with the essential gear and resources we need to carry out our missions effectively. Without your generosity, we wouldn't be able to fulfill our responsibilities to the community. Thank you for believing in our cause and for your unwavering support.

Lastly, as we celebrate the holiday season, we wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your holidays be filled with joy, love, and all the best that life has to offer.

Thank you for being a part of the Ruby Valley Search and Rescue family. Together, we make a difference!

Send a message to learn more

11/01/2025

Mutual Aid Mission: Ruby Valley Search and Rescue Lends a Helping Hand!

On October 21st, our dedicated team at Ruby Valley Search and Rescue received a call for mutual aid assistance from Gallatin County Search and Rescue. We are proud to announce that five of our highly skilled members promptly responded to support their critical search operation.

Our team was represented by two hikers and three members of our horse team, who traversed the terrain on horseback. This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to community support and exemplifies the power of teamwork in ensuring the safety and well-being of all.

We are grateful for the opportunity to assist our neighbors and remain steadfast in our mission to provide swift and effective search and rescue services whenever and wherever needed.

10/28/2025

In recognition of National First Responders Recognition Day today,
Nancy Males and Lynette Tucker of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Silver Bow Chapter provided us with cookies! SAR members will enjoy the cookies at our meeting next Thursday. Thank you so much Nancy & Lynette.
For more information on DAR visit

Discover the mission and impact of the DAR, a community of women dedicated to historic preservation, education, patriotism, and community service, with over a million members.

10/18/2025

A big shoutout to Madison Valley SAR for hosting an incredible training session today. Rahn Abbott and Dave Welch from Ruby Valley SAR attended the training as well.

Throughout the day, we delved into the essentials of ropes and knots, mastering the art of raising and lowering a rescuer with a litter. The hands-on experience was invaluable, and we all walked away with new skills and a deeper appreciation for the work of our SAR teams.

The cherry on top was the perfect weather and the breathtaking scenery that surrounded us. It's not often that a training session feels like a mini-adventure, but today was one of those days. The camaraderie was top-notch, and the energy was electric.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and made this training session a resounding success. Here's to many more adventures and learning opportunities ahead!

09/30/2025

Getting ready for concrete.

09/12/2025

What an incredible evening of learning and growth! Wednesday night, our team at Ruby Valley Search and Rescue had the privilege of training with Steve Primm and Gary Hochadel from Madison Valley Search and Rescue. We covered essential ropes techniques and low-angle rescue basics. A huge thank you to our instructors for their time and knowledge. We're already planning our next training session!

08/18/2025

You're Invited!

Join us (Northern Rockies Team 6 Incident Management Team and Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF) for a Community Wildfire Meeting tomorrow, August 19, 2025, at the Sheridan Fire Station, located at 3284 Highway 287 South, Sheridan, MT 59749. The meeting will begin at 7 PM.

Please spread the word to your friends and neighbors. We welcome your questions and encourage public engagement!

08/15/2025

Get ready for a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience. Join Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Department for a Bear Spray Training session this Saturday, August 16th from 9 am to noon at the Ruby Valley Search and Rescue Building. Learn how to properly use bear spray and boost your confidence on the trails. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity.

And as a bonus, Ruby Valley Search and Rescue will have their t-shirts available for 25 dollars, in case you didn't get one at Sheridan Days.

See you there!

08/15/2025

🚤💦 Jet Boat Training: Mission Success! 💦🚤

A big thank you to Ruby Valley SAR members Dave Welch, Tim Johnson, Ryan O'Connell, Megan Wickham, and Anthony Graber for their outstanding work during our recent jet boat training! 🛟

Your dedication, teamwork, and skill help keep our waterways safe and ensure we’re ready when the call comes—day or night. 💙

We’re proud to have such capable hands at the helm! 👏

\