Search And Rescue Team
The Search and Rescue Team was formed in 2002 after the Eureka Fire Protection District recognized that there was a need for trained volunteers when searching for lost, injured, or missing persons. It has grown from a mounted unit to a multi-disciplined, self-sufficient search team with its own communications and support capabilities along with trained planning and management personnel. The Search and Rescue Team now consists of Canine, Drone, Ground, and Communications elements. The team is comprised of about 35 volunteers, including nurses, business people, firefighters, police, and contractors, who are certified by NASAR as Search & Rescue Technicians and by FEMA in multiple ICS specialties.
Search And Rescue Team Capabilities
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Incident Command / Search Operations: These members are ICS/NIMS certified and equipped with computerized mapping software to formulate search plans and track progress.
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Communications: These members are trained in all aspects of communications and use the team's communication equipment to access all national and regional communications networks, including amateur, VHF, UHF, and 700/800. The team has its own radios, repeaters, extenders, and Skylink and has access to multiple radio networks, including MOSWIN, STARCOM, and SLATER.
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Canine: This group uses canine handlers trained in Tracking/Trailing, Air Scent, and Human Remains Recovery.
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Drone: FFA Part 107 certified Drone Operators assist search efforts by providing overhead visual and thermal images and videos.
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Ground Search: Ground searchers traverse varied terrain and are trained to find missing individuals and items related to the search. They use orienteering tools in the field and communications equipment for instruction and to notify Command of search progress.
Highly Trained And Ready To Respond
All team members train year-round in backcountry travel, including map and compass, global positioning system (GPS) use, communications, first aid, evidence preservation, and search and rescue operations. When dispatched, each member of the team responds to the search area with apparatus 24Comm1, their equipment, first aid supplies, and two-way radios for communication with search coordinators and other team members.
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Law Enforcement and Fire Departments across Missouri and western Illinois have repeatedly requested our Search & Rescue teams to assist in all manner of searches and other incidents requiring trained searchers.
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Searches include locating downed aircraft, lost hunters, hikers, or children, crime scene/evidence searches, and other emergency or disaster situations.
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For all non-emergencies, the Search and Rescue Team can be contacted through Eureka Fire Station # 1 at 636-938-5505 or info@efpdsar.org. For an emergency response, contact Central County Emergency 911 at 636-394-2212 or through your emergency dispatch center.
