Whatcom Co Search & Rescue 4x4 Unit

05/22/2026

Yesterday’s Water Training in preperation for Ski to Sea. Whatcom County Search & Rescue Council overseas the safety of the 18 mile canoe leg of the race. Our boats were out for their last river sweep mapping an marking obstacles when they were flagged down by bystanders to assist with these rescues.

Whatcom rescue group pulls two people from Nooksack River during training outing

05/07/2026

This is a very awesome event King County Search and Rescue is hosting, opening the vail to what really goes on during high stakes Search and Rescue operations!

Your Chance to Hear Some Untold Stories Behind Search & Rescue

The calls.
The terrain.
The helicopters.
The volunteers who drop everything.
The stories we usually can’t fully tell.

Because of our work with the Sheriff’s Office, there are limits to what can be shared publicly — but at SARposium, you’ll get a rare inside look at what it takes to bring loved ones home.

You’ll meet the volunteers.
You’ll hear real rescue stories.
You’ll see SAR helicopters and search drones up close.
You’ll experience a little of what it feels like when the mission call comes in.

And yes… there will be great food, live music, door prizes, and a whole lot of vicarious adventure. 🌮🎶🚁

📍 SARposium 2026
🗓 Thursday, May 14
⏰ 4:00–8:00 PM
📍 Remlinger Farms, Carnation
🎟 Tickets: $45 — includes program, food, and drink tickets

Come for the stories.
Stay for the experience.
Leave with a whole new appreciation for the volunteers who answer the call.

👉 Get tickets here: https://sarposium.com/

Please share this with someone who loves adventure, community, helicopters, rescue stories, or supporting local volunteers. 💛

05/01/2026

On Monday, April 27, the Whatcom County Search and Rescue (WCSAR) 4x4 Unit was dispatched at 12:18 p.m. to assist with a stuck vehicle off Baker Lake Road on NF-13. A Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) deputy stationed near Baker Lake made initial contact with the subjects and determined that assistance from the WCSAR 4x4 Unit was needed for the vehicle recovery.

Three WCSAR 4x4 volunteers responded, leaving work and school, and arrived at the forest service road at approximately 2:40 p.m. They traveled about 8.5 miles up NF-13, where they met the deputy waiting at the snow line. After receiving a briefing on the situation, the team continued into the snow to reach the subjects.

The vehicle was located about 0.5 miles past the snow line. It had slid off the hardpacked snow in the roadway into softer snow along the edge, becoming stuck.

WCSAR volunteers reached the subjects at 3:10 p.m. and began assessing the situation and developing a plan. Using vehicle-mounted winches and sn**ch blocks, rescuers successfully pulled the vehicle back onto the hardpacked snow. They then assisted the subjects in turning the vehicle around and beginning the descent back below the snow line.

During the return, the vehicle became stuck two additional times. After the second occurrence, rescuers attached a tow rope to provide continuous support and ensure safe travel back to the gravel road.

By 4:16 p.m., both rescuers and subjects had made it below the snow line and continued down NF-13 to Baker Lake Road. The mission was completed at 5:03 p.m., with all parties returning home safely and no injuries reported.

Jack Harding, PIO
WCSAR 4x4 Unit

REMINDER: We will not tolerate negative or degrading comments towards people we assist or rescue.

04/28/2026

A few weekends ago, several members of Whatcom County Search and Rescue, along with local law enforcement partners from the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) and Everson Police Department, as well as a member of Skagit Mountain Rescue Unit, Inc., participated in a three-day Search Management Training course.

The course was led by Hugh Dougher, a highly experienced search manager and instructor with more than four decades of SAR experience. A retired National Park Service ranger and longtime SAR volunteer, Hugh has taught courses across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. He has also served as Incident Commander (IC) on multiple Federal Type 1 (all-hazard) incidents and is currently a senior member of Skagit Mountain Rescue.

The first two days focused on classroom instruction covering search theory, subject behavior, and operational planning. On the third day, participants applied these concepts in field-based scenarios.

The day began with clue awareness exercises, followed by a mock grid search using “critical separation,” a technique that maximizes coverage while maintaining a high probability of detection.

In the afternoon, teams conducted a full-scale mock search with support from Whatcom County CERT volunteers acting as missing subjects. Using Sheriff’s Office drones and multiple ground teams, participants worked to establish the subject’s Last Known Point (LKP) and implement effective containment of the search area.

Overall, the training provided a comprehensive and practical learning experience, strengthening our team’s ability to manage a wide range of search and rescue operations. While extended, multi-day missions are relatively uncommon; they do occur—making this type of training especially valuable.

Jack Harding, PIO WCSAR 4x4 Unit

04/25/2026

Thanks for the shoutout! Our volunteers work hard and are dedicated to helping our local Whatcom County community!

We continue our series of tributes to those who volunteer with the Sheriff's Office of Division of Emergency Management - the heroes of Search and Rescue! For more information, visit https://www.wcsar.org/ (And watch KGMI News/Talk 790 for an upcoming article on SAR tips for recreational activity.)

04/10/2026

On Tuesday, April 7, at 5:49 p.m., the Whatcom County Search and Rescue (WCSAR) 4x4 Unit was dispatched to a report of a vehicle stuck on Glacier Creek Rd. (FS-39). Three WCSAR 4x4 volunteers responded to a report of a newer gray pickup with three occupants near a washout. Dispatch advised that a bystander made the initial 911 call.

The three-person rescue team arrived at the trailhead at 7:50 p.m. and proceeded toward the reported location. At approximately 8:00 p.m., they reached the washout and determined it was passable by their vehicles. No stranded vehicle was found at that location, so the team continued and located the vehicle and occupants approximately 0.75 miles beyond the original report.

The subjects became stuck while attempting to bypass a second washout that was impassable to vehicles. They drove approximately 150–200 feet off-road into a forested area, where the vehicle became high-centered on buried, rotting logs and became stuck.

Rescuers used a combination of vehicle-mounted winches, sn**ch blocks, and a chainsaw to recover the vehicle, clearing debris and pulling it safely back onto the roadway.

The subjects reported becoming stuck at approximately 3:00 p.m. They were well-equipped with food, water, and Starlink internet. After becoming stuck, they contacted Ford roadside assistance, which dispatched a flatbed tow truck; however, the operator was not equipped for the technical recovery required, and WCSAR assumed responsibility. Most tow companies are not equipped for off-road recoveries of this nature, and in similar situations, calling 911 to activate WCSAR is often the most effective option.

It is important to note the subjects had passed a clearly posted “ROAD CLOSED” sign approximately three miles before the washout, contributing to the incident. Road closures are in place for public safety, and it is illegal to bypass them.

There were no injuries. The mission was completed at 9:00 p.m., and both the subjects and rescuers returned safely.

Jack Harding
WCSAR 4x4 Unit PIO

Reminder: We ask the public to refrain from negative or degrading comments toward those we assist.

04/01/2026

On Saturday, March 28th, the Whatcom County Search and Rescue 4x4 Unit participated in a large-scale, multi-unit, multi-agency flash flood training exercise held at Everson Riverside Park.

During this exercise, the WCSAR 4x4 Unit worked alongside Summit to Sound Search & Rescue , U.S. Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR), and the Whatcom Emergency Communications Group (WECG). The collaborative effort provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen coordination and communication across agencies.

The training scenario simulated a flash flood event along the Nooksack River impacting the City of Everson, in which eight individuals were swept away. After establishing command and assembling volunteer responders, five ground teams were deployed from Everson Riverside Park to search for the missing subjects. In addition, two boat teams launched from the Lynden Boat Launch at Guide Meridian to assist with evacuations, as the scenario assumed no vehicle access due to flood conditions.

All participating teams performed exceptionally well, and the exercise provided meaningful, hands-on training for our volunteer responders. We identified several opportunities for growth and are actively working to enhance our readiness and capabilities to better serve our community during real emergencies.

This was strictly a TRAINING EXERSICE—NO individuals were in actual danger, and NO injuries occurred.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Whatcom County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) volunteers, who played a critical role by acting as injured subjects during the training.

Jack Harding, PIO

03/27/2026

Our partner unit the, Whatcom Emergency Communications Group (WECG) is participating in this training to prepare for the FIFA World Cup, which has games taking place in Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC.

If disaster strikes – whether at a soccer match, along the border, or during a wildfire – having robust, protected emergency communications could save lives.

03/12/2026

On Sunday, March 8, at 4:49 p.m., volunteers with the Whatcom County Search and Rescue (WCSAR) 4x4 Unit responded to a report of a vehicle stuck along Hannegan Pass Road (NF-32). Four volunteers deployed in two 4x4 vehicles and reached the reported location at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Upon arrival, responders located two individuals inside their vehicle along with three dogs. All occupants were uninjured and had sufficient food, water, and warm layers to remain safe while awaiting assistance.

The subjects reported that their vehicle became stuck around 1:00 p.m. After attempting to free it on their own without success, they used their iPhone’s satellite messaging feature to contact 911 and request help due to the lack of cellular service in the area.

After confirming that no medical assistance or additional supplies were needed, WCSAR volunteers used vehicle-mounted winches to pull the vehicle onto clear ground free of ice and snow. Once freed, responders assisted the occupants in turning the vehicle around and safely escorted them back to Highway 542.

All personnel and subjects returned to Highway 542 by 8:22 p.m., concluding the mission without injuries.

This incident serves as a reminder that conditions in the PNW backcountry can change rapidly. Even on days when temperatures reach the mid-50s and skies are clear, higher elevations can quickly transition to snow and freezing conditions. Anyone traveling off-road or into remote areas should be prepared with adequate food, water, warm clothing, and a reliable way to call for help when outside cellular coverage.

Jack Harding, WCSAR 4x4 Unit

REMINDER: We will not tolerate negative or degrading comments towards people we assist or rescue.

02/25/2026

On Friday, February 20th at 3:32 p.m., the Whatcom County Search and Rescue 4x4 Unit was dispatched by the Sheriff’s Office after receiving a report of a Toyota Tacoma stuck in the snow on the road to the Baker Lake Hot Springs.

The vehicle was located approximately 7.8 miles up Forest Service Road 1130. The driver had limited cell service but was able to contact 911 to request assistance.

Four volunteer SAR responders arrived on scene at approximately 6:45 p.m. Using vehicle-mounted winches, responders freed the truck from deep snow and pulled it back onto the compacted roadway. Due to the narrow road conditions, rescuers assisted the driver in carefully reversing approximately 1/8 mile to a safe location where the vehicle could turn around.

The mission was completed by 8:15 p.m., with all SAR personnel and the driver safely out of the field and headed home.

A reminder to backcountry travelers: If you have limited cell service, texting 911 uses less bandwidth and can often go through when a voice call cannot. Be sure to provide your accurate location and any details that may assist responders.

Winter road conditions can change quickly. Before heading out, carry extra food, water, warm layers, and essential gear in your vehicle in case you need to wait for help.

Jack Harding, WCSAR 4x4 Unit

Reminder: We will not tolerate negative or degrading comments towards people we assist or rescue.