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As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, ASRC endeavors to keep its operating costs to a minimum. Members are responsible for providing their own personal gear, as well as transportation to and from rescue missions, and paying for external trainings (including first aid, search management, and disaster-response courses). Your tax-deductible donation helps to defray Conference search expenses and allow us to continue to provide our services throughout the mid-Atlantic region. All donations are tax-deductible (click here to view letter from IRS). Please send your contribution to:
Steve Weiss, Chair
Appalachian Search and Rescue Conference
c/o Steve Weiss
104 West Marshall St
Falls Church, VA 22046
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Thinking about joining an ASRC Group? Consider some of the benefits of participating in a volunteer wilderness SAR organization, including:
Service: ASRC's ultimate mission is to serve the community. Our main activities center around providing assistance to those who become lost or injured in the outdoors. In addition, ASRC groups actively educates the public on safe conduct in the outdoors and prevention of wilderness emergencies. Often, member teams will provide first aid and other services in a number of events, often working in conjunction with local law enforcement and emergency medical services. If you're looking for a way to give back to the community while using your outdoor expertise, this is it.
Training: Our members receive extensive training in wilderness survival, land navigation, first aid, land/air evacuation methods, search and tracking techniques, radio communications, and other areas that are key to our operations. Training is conducted in both the field and the classroom, and the vast majority of sessions are administered at no cost to our membership. You don't need previous search and rescue experience to join - only a willingness to particpate and a desire to learn. You'll be surprised how the skills you learn in search and rescue can come in handy in everyday life!
Community: We have 400+ members from all walks of life, all connected in their affinity for the outdoors and a desire to contribute. By joining an ASRC team, you'll have the opportunity to work closely and make friends with people on your team and others throughout the region.
Leadership Positions: Every ASRC team has a variety of leadership opportunites including team gear managers, training officers, secretaries, webmasters and advertising coordinators. Positions and availability vary between groups, but allow members to develop skills and experience in organizational management while helping support their team.
To join an ASRC Group, use the links on the map below to contact a membership coordinator or training officer. Membership and training requirements vary slightly by group.
Some of the topics prospective members typically ask about are covered below.
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Q: How much time will I need to devote to an ASRC Group?
A: ASRC groups typically have between 15 and 30 "callouts" (rescue operations) each year. Participation is always voluntary, but to remain an active member of the group you may need to participate in a minimum number annually as a searcher or dispatcher. In addition, members are encouraged to attend monthly meetings and to take advantage of regular training sessions.
Q: What happens on a typical search and rescue operation?
A: ASRC is dispatched to conduct wilderness searches for missing persons, aircraft, or evidence. Following the dispatch process, our members travel to the search location. Upon arrival, they coordinate with other search organizations, volunteers, and law enforcement officers to inspect a wilderness area in search of the subject. Our searches frequently occur in rugged terrain, so we generally deploy ground teams, although assistance may be provided by aerial and motorized searchers as well.
Q: When do search operations occur?
A: Callouts can occur any time of year, any day of the week, and at any hour. Most searches are completed within 48 hours, but some can last several days. The majority of our members have "other" jobs (we have to pay for our search gear somehow) and balance their voluntary service in ASRC with their other commitments.
Q: Do I need previous experience to join?
A: We welcome participants at all levels. If you are comfortable in the outdoors and own the basic gear, you have the essentials to respond to a search and rescue mission. If not, every team needs people to help run dispatch and to assist in operating as non-profit organizations. Of course, we are very interested in potential members with previous search and rescue experience, as well as individuals with backgrounds in wilderness survival, emergency medicine, and disaster management.
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