Search and rescue volunteers from Clark County and across Southwest Washington gathered Saturday, June 13, in Cougar for a large-scale training exercise aimed at improving coordination during complex emergency responses.
The Tri-County+ Mock Mission brought together 125 volunteers from multiple agencies, including Clark County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Silver Star Search and Rescue, Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Cowlitz County Search and Rescue, Volcano Rescue Team and Refuge Point First Responder Field Support.
The exercise was designed to strengthen regional readiness by placing volunteers in a realistic simulated aircraft crash scenario. Teams worked through day and nighttime operations that required a coordinated search, rescue response, medical care and patient transport.
The training included a wide range of specialty resources, including ground search crews, K9 teams, drone operators, mounted units, technical rope rescuers, e-moto bike searchers, communications specialists, aviation locator beacon teams, medical personnel and logistics support staff.
Volunteers operated within an incident command structure similar to what would be used during a real emergency. The goal was to improve communication between agencies, refine logistical support and ensure search and rescue teams can quickly establish a unified response when an incident crosses jurisdictional lines.
Training objectives included establishing a unified command structure, testing shared support systems, coordinating search operations across multiple jurisdictions and practicing medical response procedures in realistic field conditions.
“Search and rescue incidents don't recognize county boundaries,” said Ron Black, president of Silver Star Search and Rescue. “When someone's loved one is missing or injured in the backcountry, our communities depend on us to work seamlessly together. Exercises like this build trust, improve communication, and strengthen the partnerships that allow our volunteers to provide the highest level of service when lives are on the line.”
Organizers said joint training exercises help prepare local teams to respond efficiently and safely when residents or visitors become lost, injured or stranded in remote areas. The exercises also highlight the amount of time volunteers spend training before they are called into real emergencies.
Search and rescue programs throughout Southwest Washington rely heavily on trained volunteers who donate their time, skills and expertise to assist law enforcement agencies during emergency responses.
Community support and continued training remain important to maintaining search and rescue readiness, according to organizers.
Those interested in volunteering or supporting local search and rescue organizations can contact their local SAR team or visit silverstarsar.org.
