What we do
The sheriff’s office partners exclusively with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue program, which is referred to as MCSOSAR. The nonprofit program is volunteer-based and majority youth whose objective is to serve the community by searching for and rescuing lost or injured persons in wilderness or urban areas, assist with evacuations during emergencies, assisting law enforcement with evidence searches, and educating the public.
During search and rescue activations, sheriff’s deputies who are trained coordinators lead SAR efforts. Volunteer searchers log more than 9,000 activity hours combined each year.
Green Hornets
The Green Hornets is a small team of law enforcement deputies, who are experienced outdoors-people and possess advanced search and rescue skills. When a missing, overdue or lost hiker is reported, any working, available deputies assigned to the Green Hornets may respond to perform a hasty trail search. The Green Hornets supplements the MCSO Search and Rescue team.
Ten essentials for hiking
Packing the Ten Essentials whenever you step into the wilderness, even on day hikes, is good practice. On a routine trip, you may not use any items, but when something goes awry, having the Ten Essentials could be essential to your survival.
· Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger
· Headlamp or flashlight: plus, extra batteries
· Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
· First aid: including foot care and insect repellent (as needed)
· Knife: plus, a gear repair kit
· Fire: matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove
· Shelter: carried at all times, (can be a light emergency bivvy)
· Extra food: Beyond the minimum expectation
· Extra water: Beyond the minimum expectation
· Extra clothes: Beyond the minimum expectation