Become a search and rescue volunteer

Attend a meeting

Attend a meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 7 pm to meet some members. Starting July, 2026 our new regular meeting location is the McMinnville Fire District Station 15, 3850 NE 3 Mile Ln, McMinnville, Oregon. This is across the Highway from Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Please park and enter on the south side of the building.

Occasionally a meeting is held elsewhere due to availability of the meeting space or social events such as the summer family picnic in August and Christmas party. Please contact us to confirm the location.

Who can join

You must be over 18 to join YCSAR as an adult member, or 15-18 to join as a youth member. Youth members receive all the same training and opportunities as adult members, but are more closely supervised in the field for safety.

How to become part of our team

1. Fill out an application online. Be sure to check the box for SAR. Contact us if you have questions about the application.
2. A background check will be completed. If the application is approved by the sheriff’s office, you’ll move forward to the next step in the process.
3. Interview with the Yamhill County Search and Rescue New Member Coordinator in person or by video chat, who will explain more about search and rescue and the requirements of the team.
4. Attend and successfully complete the YCSAR Search and Rescue Training Academy, held once a year typically in the spring. The Academy includes both classroom and field training.
5. Obtain required equipment and supplies for your SAR PACK that you will use on missions.
6. Attend at least one SAREX (Search and Rescue exercise) each year, which are usually held in the spring and fall.
7. First Aid & CPR certification is required. A class usually offered at no charge to academy students and current SAR members.
8. Complete Incident Command System online FEMA training ICS-100, ICS-200, & ICS-700.
9. Attend at least six monthly membership meetings a year.