Community Event Recap -April 22, 2025
PGST Safety and Emergency invited Kitsap County Search and Rescue Teams to the rez to provide information to the community about their organizations, show off their gear, and talk about what their programs provide.
Three teams were able to attend: Olympic Mountain Rescue, Washington Explorer Search and Rescue, and Kitsap County Search Dogs. Each search and rescue team are made up by volunteers of all ages, many have a day jobs and volunteer on the side, others are retired and volunteer to give back to the community.
The SAR team would like to squash a couple rumors.
- Do not wait 24-48hrs to report someone missing. If you know someone is missing, a hiker, someone out for a walk, elderly with dementia, or a child with autism for example, that is different than the broader term “missing person”. The quicker you alert authorities of someone missing the better the chances are of locating them.
- There is no charge for Search and Rescue Teams when they are activated to find someone. SAR Teams are fully volunteer oriented, and they get their funding from donors and grants.
We had around 30 guests attend the event and enjoy a meal. Each team had set up a table with pamphlets, gear, pictures, and stickers available. We spent the first 30 minutes enjoying dinner and chatting with the teams.
Olympic Mountain Rescue (OMR) is 1 of 9 Mountain Rescue Units that operate in Washington State. They are skilled group of volunteer climbers dedicated to wilderness rescue and mountain safety education. olympicmountainrescue.org
Washington Explorer Search and Rescue (ESAR) has been serving Kitsap County, and the surrounding are since 1978. Their unit is made up of youth and adult members, with youth eligible to join as early as 14 and encouraged to train into leadership roles within the organization. -kitsapesar.com
Kitsap County Search Dogs have several different specialty teams, which are called out when in need by the Kitsap County Sheriff. Their unit is comprised of professional volunteers and their mission is to provide trained canine teams to assist in the locating of missing persons. -kitsapsearchdogs.org
The SAR Teams stressed the10 items to bring with you in the woods.
- Navigation – A map, a compass, or GPS.
- Sun Protection – Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat.
- Insulation – Jacket, hat, gloves, and maybe a small blanket.
- Illumination – Flashlight, headlamp, something other than your phone flashlight.
- First aid kit.
- Fire – Lighter, matches.
- Knife or multi tool.
- Nutrition – Bars, snacks.
- Hydration – stay hydrated, bring extra water.
- Emergency shelter – small tent or tarp to keep you dry.
We capped off the event with a demonstration by one of the search dogs. We filed out the back door of the gym to playground area and one of the dog handlers instructed M. Jones and S. Sullivan to hide. The search dog tracked them down with ease, making a real quick demonstration/
PGST Safety and Emergency wants to extend a big thank you to the SAR Teams and to all who showed up and made this a successful event.
Nick Miller
PGST Safety and Emergency Coordinator