Search & Rescue

The Lewis County Search and Rescue program is under the guidance and direction of the Lewis County Sheriff and his designees. The program is greatly dependent upon the efforts of many volunteers from the local communities and could not exist without their dedication.

In 1959 the Mossyrock Search and Rescue Unit was developed to fill the need for an organized search and rescue unit. They were joined by Salkum in 1977 and Packwood in 1978. In 1986 the Civil Air Patrol organized the Fire Mountain Squadron.

The Sheriff's Posse was reorganized as a SAR unit in 1987 and the Cascade Dogs Unit was formed in the same year. The Divers joined the other units in 1991. The Lewis County ATV Unit joined in 1992. Current membership exceeds 180 volunteers. Lewis County averages between 35 to 50 missions per year. These missions involve looking for kids, hikers, hunters, skiers, mushroom pickers, elderly, mentally disabled, as well as physical rescues.

The Lewis County Sheriff's Office provides six commissioned deputies to organize and coordinate the search and rescue program. These are patrol deputies who also perform regular patrol duties. During a search and rescue mission the coordinators work in teams of two to oversee and supervise the search by providing defined search areas, mission requirements, search and recovery resources, and ensures team safety. The Sheriff's Office also provides equipment and mobile command posts. Currently, those assigned to the program include Chief Criminal Deputy Gene Seiber, Sergeant Alan Stull, Deputy Rob Withey, Deputy Bob Nelson, Deputy Brady Taylor, Deputy Gabe Frase, and Deputy Tim English.

Search & Rescue Teams

Mounted Posse

The first Lewis County Sheriff's Posse was formed in 1947 under the direction of Sheriff Earl Hilton. It was disbanded in 1960. Twenty seven years later, in 1987, a new Sheriff's Posse was formed with twenty two chapter members. This is a horse mounted search and rescue unit designed to cover trails and roads in the area of a lost individual. All unit members are trained in map/compass and first aid/CPR. They have also trained in emergency horse care. The unit has responded to numerous missions and participate in classes at the Cispus Center. Demonstrations include packing and loading gear on animals and the essentials carried in the members saddle bags.

Dive Team

The dive team joined the council in 1991. The unit has certified rescue divers. Each diver participates in approximately one hundred dives per year. Although the unit is relatively new to the council, members have participated in search and recovery missions for the past fifteen years in Lewis County. Unfortunately most dive missions involve searches for bodies. Lewis County is lucky to have this dedicated team. Divers participate in programs at the Cispus Center and teach classes for water rescue/recovery for SAR volunteers during the summer.

Cascade Dogs

The Cascade Dogs search and rescue unit was established in Lewis County in 1987. At that time the unit had two search ready dog teams. Membership now includes about twelve teams. Utilizing trained air scenting search dogs, the unit is on call 24 hours a day throughout Lewis County. Several teams have also responded out of county at the request of other counties for assistance. The members undergo extensive training and evaluations before they are certified as search ready. Proficiency in map/compass, survival, search strategy, basic first aid/CPR, and radio communications is required. The dogs are tested in a series of search, obedience, and agility evaluations. Members spend many hours in field training. They have participated in numerous searches and have given demonstrations/ lectures at the Cispus Center.

Civil Air Patrol

The Lewis County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol has a long history of working with the community. Their present membership includes approximately Eighty adults and cadets. Among the adults are power and glider flight pilots, and cadets who are also learning to fly in power and glider aircraft. The Lewis County Squadron is one of the largest, most active Squadrons in the state of Washington and is always working towards higher levels of achievement. Winning the Squadron of Merit award for Washington Wing and the Squadron of Distinction for the entire 6 State Pacific Region of Civil Air Patrol for 2008 have been two of the most recent honors. CAP has something for everyone. Emergency Services is a very large part of our units heritage and we work hard to help in our community.
One of the main goals of CAP is to train our Youth as leaders through aviation, and community service. The Civil Air Patrol responds to air, ground, and disaster relief missions.

Lewis County ATV

The Lewis County ATV SAR unit came on board with the LCSAR council in 1992. The unit has approximately sixteen members who operate and maintain their own ATVs. The units primary mission is to provide All Terrain Vehicles to be used in SAR. The members train at least once a month at the unit level and participate in training at the council level. The members although primarily ATV riders, are trained in all manners of the search and rescue mission. They are also capable ground team members when the need arises.

Mossyrock Search and Rescue

Forty years ago, in 1959, Mossyrock Search and Rescue was developed to fill the need for an organized search and rescue unit. Orville "Porky" Amondson was the Sheriff at the time and it was with his help that the unit became reality. Governor Albert Rosellini helped the unit to obtain insurance coverage through civil defense. Through various fundraisers, donations, and help from the Lewis County Search and Rescue Council, the unit has kept it's equipment updated. The unit maintained a fourteen passenger bus as a mobile command post for many years. It has been retired and the Sheriff's Office is providing two new command posts. The group currently has approximately thirteen members and specialize in the use of snowmobiles and tracking. They have assisted in untold numbers of missions and participate in Cispus Center and Hug a Tree programs.

For more information about the Mossyrock SAR Team you can email them.

Packwood Search & Rescue

Packwood SAR has been in existence for several years, but was reorganized in 1978 under the direction of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office. This unit has been the first responder team for most all searches in Eastern Lewis County because the members live close to areas most responded to and can usually activate and respond within thirty minutes. The unit has approximately thirty members involved in ground and climbing missions. The team has participated in rescuing stranded mountain climbers and lowering rescue/medical/dive personnel in to otherwise inaccessible areas. Some members are also trained in man tracking. Members participate in demonstrations at the Cispus Center featuring the safety features encompassed in the network of ropes and harness.