At 2.3 million acres (~4,052 square miles), Northern California’s Humboldt County is roughly the size of Connecticut with 110 miles of coastline. There are abundant Federal, State, and County parks available for recreation of all kinds (hiking, fishing, and hunting).
Usually these excursions go well but, sometimes, problems arise and the public requires assistance. This is where our Search and Rescue (SAR) team comes into play. When needed, the Sheriff’s Department will dispatch us to assist in search efforts. Our group can organize personnel and equipment for land or water rescues depending on the type of emergency. Currently, we have 33 active members on our team ready to respond 24/7.
During a search, a deputy from the Sheriff’s department is designated as the “Incident Commander” (IC). The IC then develops an operation plan with the assistance of SAR team search managers. Once a plan is created the SAR team is given their assignments. We deploy our personnel in teams of two or more depending on the search parameters
While some searches are planned, such as an evidence search, most are not such as the case with a lost hiker. Once we have been “called-out”, we meet and prepare equipment needed at our main quarters in Eureka. Members who live in outlying areas of the County typically respond in their personal vehicles or meet the team in transit which allows for the quickest response time.
The Humboldt County Search and Rescue (SAR) team was established in 1950. It was primarily an all-mounted group but, over the years, it has grown into what it is today with a ground unit, and a marine unit.
This group is staffed entirely by volunteer community members and we are able to operate thanks to the generosity of private citizens and local businesses here in Humboldt County.
Individuals interested in joining our team are invited to submit an application at any time. Our next processing date for applications is June 1, 2026, at which time all applications received prior to that date will be reviewed.
Information describing the requirements to join our team are outlined below and the duties in which you need to be proficient are stated. If you do not have experience with any of these skills, we will provide regular training to assist in your ability to be proficient in the field. A two-year commitment to the team is required.
If you are unable to comply with the qualifications and above-stated requirements, please do not apply for membership.
All applications should be sent to...
Humbolt County Sheriff's Search and Rescue
PO Box 410
Eureka, CA 95502
We have business/training meetings on the second Tuesday of each month (6:30pm-8:30pm). There are four full day (8am-5pm) quarterly trainings and one annual weekend campout. Periodic work details occur as well.
The Humboldt County Search & Rescue Team has two main Units: Ground & Marine and two teams: Swiftwater & K9. Many of us are members of multiple units. When the Sheriff’s department calls on us we are ready to respond any time of the year, day or night.
The Ground Unit is called upon to find missing persons, whether it is injured or overdue hikers, a family member with dementia, or a small child that cannot be found. We search in all weather, darkness, and treacherous terrain, rural or urban. When called on, we also travel out of the county for mutual aid to help SAR teams in other counties (Trinity, Del Norte, Mendocino, and beyond). Our team also deploys to ensure the safety of participants in local events; you may see us in parades, at the Kinetic Sculpture Race, the Clam Beach Run, or elsewhere during county activities.
The Ground Unit is complemented by certified search dogs. These dogs are certified through the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA) which works under the California Office of Emergency Services. It takes approximately two years of consistent training for the Handler and the Dog to be qualified to take the Mission-Ready Test to become a certified search dog. There are three primary disciplines for which the K-9s can be trained: Wilderness Area Search where the K-9 runs free from the handler and is trained to find people in the wilderness environment; Scent Specific Trailing in both the urban and wilderness setting – these dogs are given a scent article from the missing person and they will only be looking for that individual; Human Remains Detection (HRD) dogs who are trained to find deceased subjects in various settings. Currently, our SAR team has one dog that is certified in Trailing and HRD. There are two other dogs preparing to take their certification tests; one is an Area Specialist and the other is a HRD K-9. The SAR dogs are another valuable tool to assist in locating missing people and bringing closure to families.
The Marine Unit is composed of SAR members who have an interest in boat operations. Each person is required to have a minimum of a California Boaters Card. Unit personnel are trained to tow, launch, and pilot our boats in teams of two. Our deployment requires experienced pilots due to many challenging locations. Humboldt County has various boating environments to navigate; the Lagoons, Humboldt Bay, and our Rivers (Klamath, Trinity, Redwood Creek, Mad, Van Duzen, and Eel). The SAR team boats can operate in all of these regions. The Marine unit operates three vessels.
The smallest is our 14′ Klamath with a 25 hp Mercury jet drive. In addition, we have a 16′ Jon boat with a 65 hp Honda jet drive. The largest of our boats is a 21′ Airboat which has a big-block V-8 motor with a pair of propellers. This is a unique piece of equipment primarily used in extremely shallow water. It has been used several times for rescues in Ferndale during flood stage conditions and its ability to maneuver in Humboldt Bay on the mud-flats is another valuable feature. All three boats are equipped with type 1 life jackets for victims of all ages, First Aid supplies, as well as United States Coast Guard safety equipment. All three boats are equipped with type 1 life jackets for victims of all ages, First Aid supplies, and United States Coast Guard safety equipment.
With the abundance of freshwater and saltwater in Humboldt County, our swiftwater rescue team provides a wide range of support when called upon.
Our K9 team trains multiple days a week to keep their search and rescue dogs ready to go at a moments' notice.
