About Volunteering
Consider these points before joining a search and rescue team:
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Rescue work is hard and often unglamorous.
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Searches have no set hours. Be ready to work anytime.
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Meals and rest might not be guaranteed. Be prepared to stay out for 24 hours.
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Follow the incident commander's directions during missions.
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Success matters more than who achieves it.
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Always apply skills, techniques, and safety standards.
If you're ready to put others first, you're fit to volunteer.
Additional resources:
- The Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council provides a listing of search and rescue organizations across the state.
- Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol provides helpful information.
About Trainings and Certifications
DCNR wants trained and certified teams for its land searches. Most search-and-rescue groups offer training and certification.
For certification, DCNR provides standards for leaders and members:
Training courses prepare you for these tests.
Many agencies offer courses with enough notice and students.
The following also provide training in the state:
About Certification Tests
The best time to take the field team leader or member certification test is during the Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council’s “SAR-EX” event, held annually at the end of April or early May. During this event, DCNR-approved evaluators conduct the tests.
- If you wish to take the test at another time, please email the DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry’s Recreation Section.
- Typically, an evaluator will hold a session when enough students show interest and agree on a date and time.
Contact us
For additional information, contact DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry Recreation Section at 717-783-7941.