SCSAR - Search and Rescue Team

08/11/2026

🚨 YOU’VE GOT TIME TO SCROLL. DO YOU HAVE TIME TO SERVE?

No experience required.

No need to be a firefighter, EMT, or cop.

Spartanburg County CERT needs regular people willing to learn how to help when things aren't regular.

Floods. Storms. Searches. Shelters. Community events. Disasters.

Before we send you for a background check, we ask you to knock out:

📱 IS-100
📱 IS-200
📱 IS-700
📱 IS-800
🩸 Free Bloodborne Pathogen training

All online. All self-paced.

Use videos, study guides, AI to explain the material, flashcards, whatever works for you. Learn it, finish it, and move forward.

Why the prerequisites?

Because we used to send everyone straight to a background check…and around 70% disappeared afterward.

We don't need another name on a roster.

🔥 We need people who SHOW UP. 🔥

Ready?

1️⃣ Click the link below
2️⃣ Select “I am new to MyImpact”
3️⃣ Create your account
4️⃣ Knock out the prerequisites
5️⃣ Join CERT

👉 https://app.betterimpact.com/Application?OrganizationGuid=6e7f7756-9cea-43ad-a097-cd21da93421c&ApplicationFormNumber=1

08/01/2026

We wanted to take a moment to highlight the following:

• We conducted a Saturday mock search with nearly 40 participants in attendance. This was a Double Blind Mock search, exercising IMT, Drone, K9 Ground, and a little rescue threw in

• Lorraine Archer and K9 Jaeger, along with David Hartmen and K9 Ada, are now AMPWDA-certified in floodwater and lake search operations. Interestingly, their certification took place in true floodwater conditions, with strong currents and water levels approximately 30 feet above flood stage. Congratulations to both teams!

Gret job by Team Ada, Team Jaeger and the entire Team this past Saturday

07/20/2026

Here are a few highlights since our last update:

🚿 On July 11, we partnered in another unhoused shower initiative, helping provide showers and additional support to members of our community.
🧭 On Thursday, three of our interns piloted a new Search and Rescue program for children at the Woodruff Leisure Center (Spartanburg Parks). The program was well received, and they will take it to two additional community centers this week.
🎓 We had planned to hold a CERT class on Saturday, but summer schedules resulted in lower participation than needed. We plan to offer the class again in August, with the new date to be announced soon.
☀️ Yesterday, we hosted a Summer Bash for our Spartanburg County Community Emergency Response Team / SCSAR - Search and Rescue Team members. These gatherings were once an annual tradition, and based on how well yesterday went, we will most likely bring them back! It was a great opportunity for team building, fellowship, and recognizing the volunteers who give so much to our community.
🚆 Today, we are hosting railcar training attended by members of the HazMat Team and several members of our Emergency Management team. Great job by Spartanburg County Special Operations for coordinating and setting up this valuable training opportunity.

Last week was a little less hectic than the weeks before it, but there was still plenty happening. To everyone who keeps us active, supports our programs, and helps us continue moving forward, we thank you!

07/15/2026

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of one of our SCSAR Team members, Tony Craig.

Many of our members know Tony from the early days of our program. He was among several dedicated volunteers who helped build this program into what it is today. His willingness to serve, support others, and give of his time left a lasting impact on our team and our community.

Tony’s active involvement helped to create the foundation for our program, a foundation that continues to benefit many. We are grateful for his contributions, his friendship, and his commitment to serving others.

Please keep Tony’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

For those who would like to pay their respects, Tony’s service will be held:

Saturday at 11:00 AM
Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home
228 North Dean Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302

We thank Tony for his service, his dedication, and the difference he made in the lives of so many. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

07/09/2026

Ready to become active with the Spartanburg County Community Emergency Response Team / SCSAR - Search and Rescue Team?

If you have been looking for a way to serve your community during emergencies, disasters, searches, shelters, community events, and more...this is your starting point.

Spartanburg County CERT has a 1-Day Basic CERT Class coming up next Saturday (July 18), starting at 8am and lunch will be provided.
Everyone who completes the training will leave with:

✅ CERT Certificate
✅ Stop the Bleed Certificate
✅ CERT Disaster Response Bag
✅ Practical knowledge that can make a real difference when it matters most

The training is free.
The response bag is free.
The knowledge and experience you gain are invaluable.
This class is for those who are seriously interested in becoming active in the Spartanburg County CERT program.

Learn more about CERT here:
www.spartanburgcert.org

To register, create a MyImpact account here:
https://tinyurl.com/betimpact

Show up. Get trained. Join the team.

07/08/2026

With a Double Blind Search Exercise taking place on 7/25/26 we have the man, the myth, the legend Roland Hamrick coming in to teach this month's in-serice on "Reflex Tasking." All SCSAR - Search and Rescue Team members are encouraged to attend. See poster for details and thank you everyone! Roland Hamrick

06/11/2026

After extensive field testing, our team has discovered that dumping water directly onto someone’s face is NOT, in fact, an effective hydration technique.

For proper hydration, experts recommend:
✅ Drinking water
❌ Wearing water

Remember: Water belongs IN the person, not ON the person.

No interns were harmed in the making of this video

06/09/2026

Not everything is a 2 person job…but here at Spartanburg EM we think we are stronger together

06/03/2026

Tonight, we continue with Day 2 of Wilderness First Aid training while K9 do their weekly Wednesday K9 training. Last night, we completed the first of two monthly mock searches, continuing to test our drone equipment, tethers, command bus, communications, and overall search capabilities.

Another exciting part of last night’s mock search was the start of what we hope will be numerous video reels. One of our five summer interns is helping us make our social media more engaging and appealing to a younger generation.

Soon, we also hope to spotlight the five interns joining us this summer thanks to OneSpartanburg, Inc.

To everyone who helps us keep this pace going, thank you!

06/03/2026