Clark County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Team

What Clark County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Team does

Clark County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (CCSOSAR) is a self-funded volunteer search and rescue organization headquartered at 505 NW 179th Street in Ridgefield, Washington, operating under the direct authority of the Clark County Sheriff's Office. The organization provides 24/7 emergency response across Clark County and the entirety of Washington State through nine specialized squads: Land/Ground Operations, Technical Rescue, Technical Search, Dive, K-9, Mounted Rescue, 4x4 Inclement Weather, Medical, and Command Support. CCSOSAR also assists law enforcement agencies with evidence searches for criminal and non-criminal cases and supports urban disaster response. Operations are powered by GPS devices, radios, mapping software, search dogs, drones, thermal imaging cameras, high-angle rope rescue equipment, and swift water rescue gear, with year-round training across all terrains and weather conditions.

CCSOSAR's business model is donation-funded and non-commercial: services are delivered at no charge through the 9-1-1 dispatch system via CRESA and direct coordination with the Clark County Sheriff's Office, with revenue derived entirely from voluntary donations including a PayPal donation channel. The organization maintains no pricing structure and charges no fees for emergency response. Its customer base comprises the general public reached through emergency callouts and law enforcement agencies requiring SAR support, supplemented by institutional relationships such as a multi-year partnership with Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital for inclement weather personnel transport.

Governance is exercised by an eleven-member volunteer board including President Scott Watkins, Vice President Victoria Armstrong, Operations Officer Joe DesRochers, and supporting functional officers covering records, logistics, development, technical services, treasury, training, and secretarial duties. CCSOSAR is embedded in a multi-agency coordination network that includes NASAR, WASARVAC, the Washington Emergency Management Division, CRESA, the Skamania County Sheriff's Office, and the parent Clark County Sheriff's Office. The organization also runs a public-facing "Before You Go" outdoor safety education program covering hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, and exploring, alongside member training in physical fitness evaluation and team gear standards.

Name

Clark County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Team

Legal name

Clark County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue

Website

https://ccsosarwa.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Clark County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue is a self-funded volunteer organization delivering 24/7 search and rescue services across Washington State through nine specialized squads operating under the Clark County Sheriff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Search and Rescue Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Police Protection (922120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAAAA

Emergency Response & Search-and-Rescue (SAR)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief

SECONDARYHLAJAGAJ

Search & Rescue (Urban/Water/Wilderness) Coordination

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Response & EMS Coordination

SECONDARYBPAIAGAB

Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Law Enforcement & Public Safety (Police, Fire, EMS)

SECONDARYBPAKAKAI

Tracking, Mantrailing & Fugitive Apprehension K9 Services

Business & Public Services/Security & Investigations Services/K9 Security Services

Keywords

• Search and rescue services
• Volunteer emergency response
• Law enforcement support
• Wilderness rescue operations
• Public safety services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ridgefield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Self-Funding: Clark County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue is a self-funded volunteer organization. Revenue is generated through donations rather than commercial sales.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Clark County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue is a self-funded volunteer organization providing 24/7 search and rescue response across Clark County and the state of Washington, operating under the direct authority of the Clark County Sheriff. Services are delivered through nine specialized squads (Land/Ground Operations, Technical Rescue, Technical Search, Dive, K-9, Mounted Rescue, 4x4 Inclement Weather, Medical, and Command Support) and additionally extend to assisting law enforcement with evidence searches and providing public safety education on outdoor activities.

Product overview

Clark County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue is a self-funded volunteer organization providing comprehensive search and rescue services under the direction of the Clark County Sheriff. The organization operates nine specialized squads: Land/Ground Operations, Technical Rescue, Technical Search, Dive Squad, K-9 Squad, Mounted Rescue, 4×4 Inclement Weather Team, Medical Squad, and Command Support. These squads work jointly with law enforcement agencies and emergency services to respond to search and rescue needs throughout Clark County and all of Washington State. Additionally, the organization provides education services including physical fitness evaluation training and team gear standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Land/Ground Operations Terrestrial search and rescue operations conducted in forests, mountains, deserts, and urban areas using GPS devices, radios, mapping software, search dogs, drones, and thermal imaging cameras; serves the public and law enforcement in Clark County and Washington State.
• Technical Rescue Specialized rescue operations including high-angle rope rescue, swift water rescue, and wilderness first aid for situations involving rugged terrain, steep cliffs, and hazardous environments; serves the public in Clark County and Washington State.
• Technical Search Advanced search operations using specialized equipment and techniques to locate missing persons in challenging environments; serves the public and law enforcement in Clark County and Washington State.
• Dive Squad Underwater search and rescue operations conducted by trained divers in lakes, rivers, and other water bodies; serves the public and law enforcement in Clark County and Washington State.
• K-9 Squad Search and rescue operations utilizing trained canine units for locating missing persons in various terrains; serves the public and law enforcement in Clark County and Washington State.
• Mounted Rescue Search and rescue operations conducted on horseback for coverage of large, rugged areas; serves the public in Clark County and Washington State.
• 4x4 Inclement Weather Team Emergency transportation services for first responders and essential personnel during adverse weather conditions, including transporting medical staff to and from work; serves essential services and healthcare facilities in Clark County (notably a 7-year partnership with Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital).
• Medical Squad Emergency medical services provided during search and rescue operations including first aid and wilderness medicine; serves the public in Clark County and Washington State.
• Command Support Coordination and management of search and rescue operations including command post establishment, search pattern coordination, and inter-agency communication; serves the CCSOSAR team and partner agencies in Clark County and Washington State.
• Physical Fitness Evaluation Annual fitness testing program requiring a two-mile hike with a 25-pound pack in 45 minutes with elevation gain, necessary for field qualification of CCSOSAR volunteer members.
• Team Gear Education Training and education on required equipment including 24-hour pack list, urban pack specifications, personal first aid kits, and gear standards for CCSOSAR volunteer members.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.

• Clark County Sheriff's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCSOSAR operates under the direct authority and direction of the Clark County Sheriff. The Sheriff's Office is the parent agency providing oversight and coordination for all search and rescue operations. Established in 1849, it is the oldest law enforcement organization in Washington State.
• Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRESA provides 9-1-1 dispatch, technology services, and emergency management. Their service area includes all seven cities within Clark County - Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal, and Yacolt - plus unincorporated areas. CRESA also hosts the Region IV Homeland Security Office.
• Washington Emergency Management DivisionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Washington Military Department, EMD minimizes the impact of emergencies and disasters on people, property, environment, and economy of Washington State. Oversees search and rescue activities at the state level.
• Skamania County Sheriff's OfficeregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual aid partner in neighboring Skamania County, Washington. Provides highly-trained professionals in patrol, investigations, corrections, dispatch and selected services.
• National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1972, NASAR represents all SAR volunteers and supports the State Search and Rescue Coordinators Committee. Uses standards from ASTM, NFPA, DHS, FEMA and other bodies to build education courseware, publications, and certifications. A Virginia Non-Profit and Federal 501(C)3 organization.
• Washington SAR Volunteer Advisory Council (WASARVAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides a forum for search and rescue volunteers in Washington State to develop best practices, curriculum, and discuss issues. Serves as liaison between SAR units and the WA Emergency Management Division.
• Legacy Salmon Creek HospitalregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor 7 years, CCSOSAR has worked with Legacy Salmon Creek to ensure their doctors, nurses, and essential personnel can safely travel to and from work during inclement weather using the 4x4 Inclement Weather team capabilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Pierce County Search and Rescue: Volunteer SAR team operating under Pierce County Sheriff in Washington State with comparable squad structure and statewide mutual aid participation.
• King County Search and Rescue: Volunteer SAR organization in Washington State with similar squad structure, K-9, technical rescue, and mutual aid roles across the county. Most comparable peer given same state, county-level jurisdiction, and volunteer nonprofit model.
• Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue: Washington State county-level volunteer SAR team operating under sheriff oversight with K-9, ground, and technical rescue capabilities. Directly comparable structure and mission to CCSOSAR.

Broad incumbents

• American Red Cross: National humanitarian organization providing emergency response, disaster relief, and volunteer mobilization comparable in mission scope to CCSOSAR, though much larger and operating at national scale.
• National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR): National SAR volunteer organization that CCSOSAR is directly partnered with; sets national SAR standards, certifications, and curriculum used by volunteer teams like CCSOSAR.
• Mountain Rescue Association: National umbrella organization for mountain rescue units across the U.S., setting standards and coordinating training for volunteer technical rescue teams similar to CCSOSAR's Technical Rescue squad.
• Washington Emergency Management Division: State-level agency that oversees SAR coordination across Washington, mutual partner with CCSOSAR. Provides the broader statewide emergency management framework within which CCSOSAR operates.

Others

• BRINC Drones: Drone manufacturer providing tactical drones used by public safety and SAR teams including thermal imaging and indoor search capability — an enabling technology vendor to SAR operations similar to CCSOSAR's drone-equipped squads.

Emerging players

• Civil Air Patrol: Volunteer civilian aerial search organization that supports missing person searches across the U.S., including in Washington State — providing an aerial dimension to SAR that complements ground-based teams like CCSOSAR.

Regional players

• U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: Volunteer organization supporting Coast Guard maritime SAR operations, including in Pacific Northwest waters. Comparable to CCSOSAR's Dive Squad on water-related missions, though federally chartered.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clark-county-sheriff-s-office-search-and-rescue-team

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clark County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Team