Oswego County Pioneer Search and Rescue

05/31/2026

We are really impressed with some of this year's academy recruits. They got together on their own to practice navigation before their final field exam. It's exciting to see their enthusiasm and dedication to hone their skills.

05/30/2026

Want to learn more about our history?
In the early 1970s, emergency services for someone who was lost were nearly nonexistent in the eastern United States. When a young boy went missing in New York State's Adirondack Mountains in 1971, a chaotic and unsuccessful attempt to find him prompted several people from Upstate New York to form a professional search and rescue team. With determination and persistence, and without any other group of its kind to advise them, the team was created. They aptly called themselves The Oswego County Pioneer Land Search and Rescue Team, and within six months, they were lending their skills to help search for lost children, hunters and troubled souls throughout their home state and beyond. Today, the team continues to offer their unique emergency services, now utilizing modern communication and search technology. Based on interviews with the Pioneers' founding and current members, as well as a review of the team's 45-year history of participation in many high-profile missing person cases, this book is the story of how the group became and continue to be the most respected search and rescue team throughout New York State.

Pioneers : The Story of Oswego County's Search and Rescue Team https://a.co/d/0ebQTqFI

The book was written by local author Jim Farfaglia.

In the early 1970s, emergency services for someone who was lost were nearly nonexistent in the eastern United States. When a young boy went missing in New York State's Adirondack Mountains in 1971, a chaotic and unsuccessful attempt to find him prompted several people from Upstate New York to for...

05/28/2026

Academy recruits from Oswego County Pioneer Search and Rescue and Wilderness Search and Rescue Team are on the home stretch of their training before their final field exam. Last night, recruits had navigation review using maps, compass, and GPS units. By the end everyone will have put in over 88 hours of classroom and field training. They also spend about 15 hours of online training in addition to reading textbooks and homework. All searchers are training to the ASTM Searcher 1 level before they start responding to searches.

05/22/2026

Home More News Walmart Provides Grants for Emergency Preparedness and Search and Rescue Walmart Provides Grants for Emergency Preparedness and Search and Rescue May 21, 2026 FULTON WALMART HELPS STRENGTHEN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS – The Fulton Walmart provided a $1,000 Spark Good local grant to th...

05/20/2026

Academy recruits from Oswego County Pioneer Search and Rescue and Wilderness Search and Rescue Team are learning about communications tonight. Thank you South Bay Fire for the use of your facility.

05/20/2026

We're thankful for all of our dedicated volunteers who carry out our mission "So that others may live". You've made a difference in our community and across New York State.

National Search and Rescue Week 2026

This week, we honor the dedicated volunteers and professionals who answer the call when every second counts.

From the mountains to the waterways, from urban searches to wilderness rescues, Search and Rescue teams stand ready—day or night—to bring people home.

To every SAR member across the country:
Your courage, skill, and unwavering commitment save lives.
Your work matters more than most will ever know.

Thank you for being the calm in chaos, the hope in uncertainty, and the lifeline when it’s needed most.

05/01/2026

Congratulations to K-9 Whiskey and Handler Dylan for successfully completing man trailing certification again with National Police Bloodhound Association. Nice job and thank you for your dedication!

04/16/2026

Thank you Oswego County 911 for all you do!

04/13/2026

Academy Recruits and Members from both Oswego County Pioneer Search and Rescue and Wilderness Search and Rescue Team spent the weekend finishing up Wilderness First Aid Training. Participants learn to prevent, assess, and treat injuries and illnesses when definitive care is delayed.
Key topics include:

Patient Assessment: Initial and focused assessments in the field.
Injury Management: Head/spinal injuries, bone and joint stabilization (splinting), chest injuries, and wound care.
Environmental Emergencies: Hypothermia, heat stroke, lightning strikes, and altitude illnesses.
Medical Issues: Anaphylaxis (allergic reactions), shock, and abdominal pain.
Leadership: Decision-making, evacuation planning, and resourcefulness. All receive a 2 year certification from the Emergency Care & Safety Institute.

Special thank you to West Monroe Volunteer Fire Department and Clay Fire Department for the use of their stations for our classes.

04/11/2026

"Their work is demanding. Their training is rigorous. And their impact is immeasurable.

To every volunteer who has answered the call: thank you."

Celebrating National Volunteer Month- Honoring the Heart of Search and Rescue

Every day across the country, professionally trained volunteer Search and Rescue (SAR) teams stand ready to respond when the call for help comes. These dedicated individuals give their time, their skills, and often their nights and weekends to ensure that others make it home safely.

During National Volunteer Month, we proudly recognize the thousands of NASAR‑trained volunteers who serve their communities with courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment. From wilderness searches and disaster response to K9 teams, technical rescue, and emergency medical support—these volunteers are the backbone of SAR operations nationwide.

Their work is demanding. Their training is rigorous. And their impact is immeasurable.

To every volunteer who has answered the call: thank you.
Your service saves lives, strengthens communities, and inspires us all.

If you’ve ever considered joining the SAR community, there’s no better time to get involved. Learn more about training, certification, and how you can make a difference at www.nasar.org