Douglas Co NV Search and Rescue, PO Box 1306, Minden, NV (2026)

03/26/2026

On the weekend of March 21/22, seven new trainees began the process of advancing to SAR Rescue membership.
The first day consisted of classroom instruction, which included overviews of medical assessment, tracking methods, deployment procedures, and a variety of other topics.
The second day was spent in the field visiting typical rescue staging areas throughout Douglas County and discussing rescue scenarios at each site.
Trainees that completed this weekend’s instruction as well as FEMA’S Incident Command System training and have obtained CPR certification are qualified to participate in unit rescues.
This weekend was the first step in a process that is followed by additional deep trainings in wilderness first aid and rescue skills that will occur throughout this year. Trainees that complete all required trainings receive a Search & Rescue Technician Certification before becoming Rescue Members of the Douglas County NV Search & Rescue team.
This foundational training ensures we can continue to respond fast, safely, and effectively as a cohesive team. Huge thanks to all the dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy “so that others may live.”
Keep up the great work!

Douglas County NV SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Nevada Douglas County, Nevada

03/22/2026

On Friday March 20th at 14:38 the Douglas County NV Search and Rescue Team responded to a missing person incident. The subject had been missing since the previous evening and was last seen riding his UTV in the Pinenut mountain area. 15 DCSAR rescue members deployed as UTV and truck teams converging and canvassing from multiple entrance routes toward his last known position.
At 18:36 all teams were recalled to staging where we regrouped, re-assessed search area tracks and redeployed to a more remote area to the south.
After searching miles of rough rocky terrain the subject was eventually located at 23:37 on a deserted road. Dehydrated, hungry and exhausted - He was treated on the scene and returned safely to staging.
Incident terminated safely at 1:43 and all SAR members were released. Excellent team effort! Thank you all!

Douglas County NV SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Nevada Douglas County, Nevada

03/20/2026

DCSAR NV K9 Spotlight!
Hey! My name is Cowboy and I LOVE my job. I am a 6.5 yr old Dutch Shepherd. I started my training at 4m old. I am trained in area search, which means I am looking for any human scent in a certain area. My team has helped me train by hiding in groups, up trees, in rock crevices, with pet dogs, after "crashing a bike", under the snow, and in many other scenarios.
I am also trained for area weapon search. Training for this includes loaded weapons, loaded magazine, unloaded magazine, fresh fired, recently cleaned, and live rounds of various weapon types.
Training takes place up in the mountains, in the pine nuts, in the snow, in the sun, on playground equipment, day and night.
I have been credited with an assist with one subject location and with a find for one weapon search.
My pack sits next to the front door where it's easy fill up after any event and ready to go for the next event. Mom often catches me checking to make sure it hasn't moved since the last time I checked on it. Any time my mom puts on an orange SAR shirt I go crazy because I know it's time for me to work. Even at three in the morning if that phone rings, I'm ready! 🐾🔍❤️

Douglas County NV SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Nevada Douglas County, Nevada

03/16/2026

On Saturday March 14 at 08:00 - 6 members of the Douglas County NV Search and Rescue Team tackled real-world winter challenges in the backcountry: navigating and safely crossing avalanche terrain, assessing snow bridges over creeks, evaluating ice hazards, digging and analyzing snowpits, and practicing small-team risk management in deep snow and variable conditions. From bridging sketchy creek crossings to probing and shoveling in frozen terrain, these hands-on drills sharpen the skills we rely on for rescues when winter turns dangerous.
We pushed through 8 beautiful (and challenging) miles of Tahoe-area terrain — always with safety first. These sessions keep us prepared 24/7 so that others may live. Huge thanks to our dedicated volunteers for another solid day of training!

Douglas County NV SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Nevada Douglas County, Nevada

03/09/2026

On Saturday March 7th -
16 members of the Douglas County NV Search and Rescue Technical Rope Team successfully completed our MRA Technical Rock Re-accreditation test for 2026.
Our test scenario was a (simulated) injured hiker that had fallen off of a 30 foot cliff and tumbled down another 30 foot slope. Coming to rest on an uneven grade above a flowing river.
Our challenge consisted of building a raise/lower method that included multiple anchors, edge safety and protection, main and belay (with a re-direct) systems required to safely lift the test subject and one team rescuer.
The subject was assessed from above and was determined to have an open compound fracture in his lower left leg, a deep laceration in his left forearm and a possible head injury.
A rescuer and lead medic were quickly lowered (great job Dr. Steve!) to the patient where he was thoroughly assessed, treated and stabilized.
3 other team members rappelled down to assist with the litter assembly, patient packaging and hand carrying the subject up a steep scramble back to the lowered ropes.
The “patient” and one rescue member were then raised safely and successfully from the cliff base to the edge above.
Two of the remaining members were then required to ascend the ropes back to the anchor area.
Test terminated with a passing grade at 15:00.
Our evaluators remarked on our “culture of safety” and stated “they would trust us to come rescue them anytime.”

We are super proud of all our team members and extremely thankful for everyone who supported us through this training and testing process!
Well done team! 🧗‍♂️

We would also like to give a HUGE thank you to Monterey County SAR for hosting the event and the exceptional hospitality!

Douglas County SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Nevada Douglas County, Nevada

02/28/2026

DCSAR NV K9 Spotlight!
Meet Search Dog in training Mookie. Mookie is an energetic, loving two year old black lab. He was originally being trained by the Search Dog Foundation in Santa Paula, California for urban search and rescue teams to respond to such disasters like earthquakes and tornadoes. Once the Search Dog Foundation realized that Mookie loved running in the forest more than climbing on rubble piles he was reassigned to Dennis Clark to train as a wilderness Search Dog. The search dog foundation reassigned Mookie and provided Dennis with a two week k9 training course at no charge.
Mookie is an air scent search dog, which means he searches with his nose to find live human scent and then tells his handler Dennis when he has found somebody that’s lost.
Mookie‘s favorite hobby is play, play and play some more, especially if it involves snow. If you are wondering, yes, Mookie was named after the Dodgers player Mookie Betts. Dennis and Mookie agree on a lot of things, but with Dennis being a Los Angeles baseball fan, Mookie and Dennis agree to disagree which team is best. Say hello to Mookie! Good boy! 🐾🐶❤️

Douglas County SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Nevada Douglas County, Nevada

02/22/2026

On Saturday February 21st at 08:00 -
17 members of the Douglas County Search and Rescue Technical Rope Team conducted their bi-weekly training. Due to the extreme cold and snow depths in the entire surrounding area we practiced in a team members large (often used for indoor rope training) garage. In preparation for our upcoming MRA Technical Rock Re-accreditation in March - Training consisted of start to finish safety protocols, designing and building a raising and lowering method that included a knot pass, multiple anchors, edge safety and protection, main and belay systems. We also reviewed our safety edge approach and high angle rescue with only 2 rescuers. The training subject was assessed, treated for simulated lower leg injuries and transferred from their rope to our system. We then re-reviewed each teams section and resources for any other viable options and possibilities. Removed all systems and terminated training at 12:00.

Douglas County SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Nevada Douglas County, Nevada

02/21/2026

On Thursday, February 19th at 14:14 the Douglas County NV Search & Rescue Team responded to a mutual aid call from a neighboring SAR team. Assistance was requested in transporting an injured skier across steep, rugged terrain.
As the 15 team members were reaching the staging area we received a second callout to assist a backcountry snowshoer who was stranded off Leviathan Mine Road.
8 DCSAR rescue members were deployed in two tracked UTVs and a piston bully snow plow. UTV 1 with three rescue members followed the snowshoer’s tracks and located the subject and her partner at their disabled Jeep at 16:37. The subjects were cold but otherwise in good health and were safely transported back to Highway 395. Mission terminated at 18:00 and all members returned home safely.
Douglas County SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Nevada Douglas County, Nevada

02/19/2026

On Tuesday February 17th at 15:41 the Douglas County NV Search and Rescue Team responded to a Lost Skier incident. The skier had become stranded in deep snow on the west slope of East Peak. 12 DCSAR rescue members deployed as ski and snowshoe teams using the Tucker Snowcat, a tracked UTV and two snowmobiles.
Skier was ultimately located and safely extracted by Heavenly ski patrol.
At that point our attention shifted to assisting DC deputies with traffic control, stuck and abandoned vehicles and snow plow movements in the upper Kingsbury Grade area. Traffic resumed to “normal” at around 22:00 where mission was terminated and all members returned home safely.
Douglas County SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - NevadaDouglas County, Nevada

02/16/2026

On Sunday February 15th at 08:00 - 18 members of the Douglas County Search and Rescue Team conducted their February training in the Genoa Peak Road area.
The team had a very productive day in the snowy Sierra, honing critical skills for real world rescues! From coordinating multiple team elements - snowshoe, ski, K9, medical, communications, command - to deploying all of our snow machines, track vehicles, and snowmobiles.
Training consisted of a practical scenario with a lost snowmobiler having no known location, suffering from severe hypothermia. All teams launched in full search mode with the K9 team finding the subject (good job Cowboy!). A full medical assessment was conducted, subject was “burrito wrapped” and secured in the sked, transported uphill to a waiting litter where he was taken by UTV to a mock helicopter extraction zone.
We then practiced single and multiple beacon locating and Recco competency training.
This is what keeps us rescue ready when someone needs help in the backcountry!
Training like this ensures we can respond fast, safely, and effectively—whether it’s a lost skier, injured hiker, or avalanche scenario. Huge thanks to all the dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy “so that others may live.”

Douglas County SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Nevada Douglas County, Nevada

02/14/2026

K9 training day in the books! Today along Kingsbury Grade – 4 hours of focused work in our stunning Tahoe backcountry.
Our experienced duo, Dax and Cowboy, tackled advanced area search and scent detection challenges, while our up-and-coming Mookie built strong beginner foundations in human scent detection and locating. Our K9 team trains 6–8 times a month across various terrains and skills to stay sharp for real missions.
The best part? Every success ends with high-drive playtime using their favorite toys — that’s the ultimate reward that keeps them motivated!
These dedicated pups (and their handlers) are always preparing so that others may live. 🐾❤️

Douglas County SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in cooperation with and under the authority of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Composed entirely of dedicated community members, the team provides essential search and rescue services to Douglas County residents and visitors. Your donations go directly to DCSAR and assist in keeping our volunteers mission ready. To learn more or support the team, please visit Donations | Douglas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (https://douglassar.org/donations/)
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Nevada Douglas County, Nevada

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