North Valley Search and Rescue

05/29/2026

Tonight we responded to two separate incidents on the water.

We cannot stress enough that the river right now is dangerous, regardless of how nice the weather.

Being prepared does not only mean wearing the proper gear, it means knowing where you’re floating at the current level and flows and knowing what to do when an emergency arises, because emergencies do arise.

The river is high, it’s flowing incredibly fast and with it are strainers and log jams. These entrapments can be anywhere.

If you are unsure of your gear or experience, wait until the water is lower and slower. Hire a local, reputable guide that KNOWS our waters.

Be safe out there!

05/29/2026

05/25/2026

North Valley responded to two flipped boats this month at the same problem area. Just downriver from CFAC, river right. The large rock has logs on it this season and there is a hole just upstream with current water levels. Thankfully, all rafters from both incidents were wearing PFDs and are safe and healthy!
Please be safe out there and prepared for the unexpected!

05/04/2026

About one month remains before most of our K9 teams undergo a very intensive certification process under the workshop umbrella of the Montana Law Enforcement Canine Association with visiting master trainers from NAPWDA.

Our law enforcement teammates will travel 2 hours to Missoula for their patrol and detection portion the first week of June. Our SAR K9 teams will host the tracking, trailing and area portion of certifications here in the valley the same week under Travis Walthall, and the human remains detection teams will certify here in the valley 2 weeks later under Robert Noziska.

Between those two weeks, 8 of our volunteer tracking and trailing SAR K9 teams will host and train under Robert Noziska in a jam packed 3 day/2 session seminar. Noz was the driving force behind the US Border Patrol’s Search and Rescue K9 Program and, in 2003 became the first Border Patrol Agent SAR Canine Handler to become an Instructor. He has been training K9 teams for the Border Patrol and other federal, state and local agencies ever since.

The Flathead K9 Foundation is still seeking corporate and big partners to fund this intensive K9 team tracking training program.

As most of our supporters know, the Flathead County’s Search and Rescue K9 teams are called upon in critical situations—missing persons searches, wilderness emergencies and disaster response. Top-tier training for our Search and Rescue K9s is ESSENTIAL.

Please help us bring “Noz” to Flathead County for these two 3-day intensive training events.
6 days; 8 teams; $8000.

Search and Rescue K9 teams in Flathead County are all volunteer. Our preparedness depends on our partners.
As a corporate partner, your company will be:
Publicly recognized as a corporate sponsor
Acknowledged in press releases
Thanked on our Flatheadk9.org website.
Please consider becoming a Flathead K9 Foundation corporate partner and making a cash donation to help fund this event.

04/24/2026

New Member Academy 2026. So excited to welcome a new group of volunteers. They’ve got a lot to learn, but they already bring so much to the table. Congrats!

04/24/2026

While we are all a little puzzled over the snow fall these past two weeks, it sure hasn’t stopped our Swiftwater Techs from jumping in the cold water!

03/23/2026

On behalf of North Valley Rescue Association, we wish to express our deepest condolences regarding the passing of Chris Duke.

Chris served our community with great distinction, as a FCSO Reserve Officer, the NW Montana Regional SWAT Team, and Two Bear Air Rescue. He also served proudly in the United States Marine Corps and as an Officer with the Whitefish Police Department.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family during this difficult time. As we honor Chris’s legacy of service, let us rally together to carry his family in their time of needed support.

Chris Duke unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, March 15th, leaving behind his beloved wife, twin daughters, and young son. Chris was a marine veteran who com...