Wyoming Search and Rescue
Students at the University of Wyoming in the Outdoor Recreation Tourism and Management degree researched issues Wyoming Search and Rescue is facing. With the help of SAR stakeholders, we found the main issues in Wyoming’s SAR teams by sending out a survey to all the team members and sheriffs and taking personal interviews of a few key stakeholders.
If you are lost or need immediate assistance please call 911 or your local sheriff's office.
Wyoming search and rescue personnel conduct an average of more than 300 missions annually across the state for those who become lost or stranded.
The most common missions involve searches for people who were hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing/snowboarding, or they were motor vehicle related. Although several of the people rescued were from out of state, a higher number of them were Wyoming residents.
You can see more statistics at www.wohs.us.
In Wyoming, people frequently need the assistance of Search and Rescue. No matter how small or large the situation might be, Search and Rescue volunteers are there to help get people home safely.
Here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of being rescued.
Buy an FRS/GMRS capable radio or walkie talkie and program the 307 channel into the radio. Program to UHF 462.6125 Privacy Code 85.4 or Channel 3 and Privacy code 07 (307).
If, or when, you become stranded, if searchers are looking for you they can attempt to contact you on this channel. It is not a 911 type channel.
Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan on coming back. Ask local authorities if a check-in form is available.
Pack appropriate gear and supplies. See resource link below.
Have a portable radio and have it programmed to the 307 Channel.
This channel is not a 911, but it can assist you when monitored by Search and Rescue personnel.
Check the weather and avalanche forecast.
Search and Rescue personnel will not actively monitor channel.
Contact:
Ashley Paulsrud 307-777-4907 ashley.paulsrud@wyo.govArticle 3 - Search and Rescue Operations.
Wyoming Search and Rescue Council Meeting
A meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. It will be conducted at the Round House room of the Thyra Thompson State Office Building, 444 W. Collins Drive, Casper, Wyoming.
For special accommodations please call 307-777-4911.
The Wyoming Office of Homeland Security serves as the account manager and operates using guidance from W.S. 19, Chapter 13, Article 3 and the Wyoming Search and Rescue Council (SAR). Council members are appointed by the governor. By statute the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security (WOHS) director serves as executive secretary to the council.
Search and Rescue is defined as the employment, coordination and utilization of available resources and personnel in relieving distress, preserving life and removing survivors from the site of a disaster, emergency or hazard to safety in case of lost, stranded, entrapped or injured people.
The goal of the Wyoming Search and Rescue Council is to assist Wyoming sheriffs, who are charged by state statute to conduct SAR operations, with the execution of this mandate by fostering quality search and rescue resources throughout the state and providing reimbursement for eligible expenditures.