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Appalachian Search & Rescue Conference

Search and Rescue (SAR) involves locating and evacuating persons who are trapped, lost and/or injured. The Appalachian Search and Rescue Conference (ASRC) is a confederation of wilderness search and rescue organizations who provides professional volunteers trained in search management and field operations for missions in the mid-Atlantic region. Services include all-weather search and rescue for missing persons and downed aircraft, complete search and rescue management, as well as safety and survival education. Our conference is comprised of individual groups of professional volunteers who dedicate extensive amounts of time for rigorous training, search missions, group functions, preventative instruction, and public awareness. We have over 40 years of experience and our organization routinely trains other state, federal, and local government representatives in the art of search and rescue. With seven teams spanning five states and over 300 active members, we are one of the oldest and largest SAR resources in the United States.

The ASRC Remote Support Corps and the ASRC Search Manager Cadre are hosting a search management exercise to be held remotely March 3rd and 4th. This event is designed for anyone interested in general search management (not specifically remote support). Last year's SAREX focused on the first and second operational period of a search. This year we'll look at scenario development and ranking that might occur in the third operational period. We will offer training before each exercise session to prepare you for the activities during that session.

Go to www.asrc.net/register to Register for the upcoming SAREX sponsored by the Remote Support Corps.

Publications and Documents

Donations
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the ASRC endeavors to keep its operating costs to a minimum. Members of our Groups provide their own personal gear, transportation, and training. We are proud to provide our services at no cost to anyone in need. Your tax-deductible donation helps defray Conference expenses and allows us to continue operating throughout the mid-Appalachian region. All donations are fully tax-deductible.

Publications and Documents

ASRC Uniform
ASRC Uniform Made Simple
One-Pagers
(succinct summaries of SAR topics)
Hydration
Hypothermia: Killer of the Unprepared
Field Team Member Search Briefing
In the Field with a SAR Dog Team
Managing SAR Dogs for Incident Staff
Phonetic Alphabet
SAR During Disease Outbreaks
(above includes Covid-19)
Training Publications
Essentials for Search and Rescue
(above is text for new members)
Training Guide
2022 WEMS Day Announcement
2022 WEMS Day Briefing
Governing Documents
Administrative Manual
Articles of Incorporation
Branding and Publishing Guide
Bylaws
Credentialing Policy Manual
Operational Guidance Manual
Remote Support Corps Charter
Training Standards
Administrative Documents
ASRC Archive
Meeting Sign-In
SAR Documents
Base Signs

Members Only

ASRC Intranet (Sharepoint Site)

Emergency?

If you have a search and rescue emergency, do not contact the ASRC directly. Dial 911 and report the incident to your local law enforcement agency.

If you are a Virginia State or Local Agency and need our assistance, please contact the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) at (804) 674-2400.

ASRC Groups

Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group
Pittsburgh, PA

Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue Group
Charlottesville, VA

Maryland Search and Rescue
Columbia, MD

Mountaineer Area Rescue Group
Morgantown, WV

Northwest Pennsylvania K-9 Search and Rescue
Erie, PA

Search and Rescue Ohio
Delaware, OH

Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group
Vienna, VA

Contact the ASRC

If you would like to contact the ASRC, and do not have an emergency, please feel free to contact an ASRC Officer:

ASRC Chair
ASRC Vice Chair
ASRC Secretary
ASRC Treasurer
Conference Training Officer
Conference Operations Officer
ASRC Communications Officer
VASARCO Representative

Annual Events

The ASRC has three major annual events.

  • The ASRC General Membership Meeting (AGM) and Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) is usually held in the fall in western Maryland. The SAREX offers training in both Base operations (incident management) and wilderness field search and rescue. The meeting and SAREX are open to all interested people. Registration is usually not capped.
    Next: July 15-17, 2022
  • The ASRC Retreat is a primarily indoor educational program, very interactive, but specific to the ASRC’s needs. It is held at the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Bears Den Lodge, a vehicle-accessible facility along the Appalachian Trail in northern Virginia. Non-ASRC attendees are welcome, but registration is capped due to facility size.
    January 13-15, 2023
  • Wilderness EMS Day is a one-day Base/field exercise jointly sponsored by the ASRC and the EMS Fellowship of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. It is held in western Pennsylvania just outside of Pittsburgh. Registration is capped due to facility size and field teamĀ  size constraints.
    Next: October 22, 2022

Registration for events is always at:
https://asrc.net/register

Member Publications

Appalachian Search and Rescue textbook (Keith Conover)

Lost Person Behavior (also smartphone app; Robert Koester)

Fatigue (Robert Koester)

Lost Alzheimer’s Disease Search Management (Robert Koester)

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