Weber County What is Search and Rescue and Why is There a Need?
Search and Rescue is a volunteer organization assigned to assist the Weber County Sheriff's Office with calls for help throughout Weber County.
By Utah State law, the Sheriff of each county is responsible for search and rescue of missing, lost, stranded, or injured citizens. The Sheriff of Weber County assigns three deputies as liaison officers to oversee and manage search and rescue in Weber County.
Each year, twenty to thirty calls for help are directed to search and rescue for their services. These may be in the form of stranded or injured climbers or hikers, missing children, hunters, snowmobilers, skiers, lost hunters, drowning victims, or downed aircraft. Weber County Search and Rescue responds to distress calls in all types of weather and all seasons.
How Did SAR Begin in Weber County?
Search and Rescue began in Weber County around 1945 with the start of the Sheriff's Mounted Posse. The posse was organized during World War II as a homeland guard to help search and defend the county during wartime.
In 1956, with the development of 4X4 vehicles, the Jeep Patrol was established to assist the Mounted Posse. Since then, many other groups have been formed such as the Underwater Recovery, Mountain Rescue, Technical Climbers, K-9 Rescue, Winter Rescue, and the Extreme Team. Today, Search and Rescue is organized as one dedicated, well-trained organization with members cross-trained in all aspects of search and rescue.
Funding
Search and Rescue operates through a small budget based on Weber County funds. The largest source of funding is obtained using fund raisers and generous donations.
The Utah Search and Rescue Assistance Card has officially launched. It was released Thursday, May 25, 2017.
The card can be purchased at rescue.utah.gov
Individual plans are $25 annually or a 5-year plan for $100.
Family plans are $35 annually or 5-year plan for $140.
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions portion of the website for further detailed information.
The funds from card purchases go directly into the Search and Rescue Financial Assistance Program. With additional support to the program, more reimbursed funds, specifically in equipment costs, can go back to statewide sheriff's offices.
The Search and Rescue Assistance Card is how everyone who recreates outdoors can help share the costs and support search and rescue teams throughout the state.
For additional information, please visit the Weber County Search and Rescue Web site, maintained by Weber State University.
