Virginia Department of Conservation and RecreationAn official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia Here's how you knowAn official websiteHere's how you know
Department of Conservation and Recreation
For anyone who has ever ventured into the breathtaking landscapes of Virginia, from the dense woodlands of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the cliffs overlooking the Potomac, it’s easy to see why people flock here.
However, nature’s allure can sometimes lead to unintended detours or, in the worst cases, dangerous situations. When accidents or lost hikers prompt the call for help, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Team is one of the many groups across the state that answers.
Keep reading to learn more about the history of the DCR SAR Team, the rigorous training members undergo and the crucial role they’ve played in missing person cases across the state.
The original DCR SAR Team in 2018
Since DCR was established in 1985, the agency never had a dedicated team to respond to cases of missing persons on or off DCR property.
That started to change in 2015 with the creation of the DCR SAR Working Group. Led by former Chief of Public Safety and Law Enforcement David Summers, the group was tasked with developing a Virginia Department of Emergency Management-recognized search and rescue team.
Three years later with a DCR SAR policy in place, the DCR SAR Team was established with 14 members. Each ranger offered a unique set of skills that would be expanded as they earned their SAR certification through VDEM.
DCR Team Training in September 2024
When it comes time to recruit new members for the DCR SAR Team, all salaried DCR employees are eligible to apply. While helpful, experience with SAR operations is not a requirement.
A typical term is three years, and member duties mainly consist of field tasks that sometimes take place in demanding physical environments and outside of normal working hours. So, joining the team isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly.
As you can imagine, joining a VDEM-accredited SAR team requires certifications and training, including CPR, first aid and National Incident Management System and Incident Command System courses.
Each recruit must also attend the yearly DCR SAR Team Training. The three-day session helps enhance operation readiness, fosters collaboration and tests the team’s skills in land navigation, search techniques, victim extraction and communications in remote areas.
The final part of becoming a DCR SAR Team member is attending the VDEM Ground Search and Rescue Academy. It’s held twice a year over two consecutive weekends in different locations throughout Virginia.
Practicing tracking at GSAR (Photo courtesy of Virginia Search and Rescue Council)
During academy, VDEM offers four courses, and each one is followed by a written and practical exam: Search Team Operations, Search Team Leader, Management Team Operations and Tracking Team Operations.
To become a member of the DCR SAR Team, or any VDEM-recognized SAR team, each recruit must take the Search Team Operations Course first. This base-level course is 40 hours and helps prepare recruits for a wide variety of situations, from minor medical emergencies to large-scale search operations.
Here’s some of the knowledge and skills they’ll have after completing STO:
Practicing knot tying at GSAR (Photo courtesy of Virginia Search and Rescue Council)
After completing the classroom portion of the course and passing their written exam, recruits put their knowledge to the test during a practical exam.
This multi-hour SAR simulation is held on the final Saturday of academy and brings together every academy participant, regardless of their course. This realistic scenario allows participants to practice their skills under pressure as they search for a “missing” volunteer, ensuring they are calm and effective during real emergencies.
Once they complete academy, DCR SAR recruits don’t automatically become VDEM SAR certified. They must submit proof of training and course completion and letters of recommendations to VDEM for review and approval.
VDEM SAR certifications are good for three years. Recertification requires continuing education credits, including 24 hours of training and participation in a minimum of nine real or simulated missions over a three-year period.
Preparing for the SAR simulation at GSAR (Photo courtesy of Virginia Search and Rescue Council)
The DCR SAR Team is one of 20 VDEM-certified SAR teams in the state. They’re on call 24/7 and receive their missions from VDEM.
After VDEM receives a call for help, typically from local law enforcement, fire and rescue or an emergency services coordinator, the agency will send a request to all its certified teams for assistance.
At that point, each team will decide if and how many of their members can deploy for the mission, which could include a ground search and rescue, wilderness technical rescue, cave rescue, K9 live-find and human remains detection, human tracking or equine search.
Since it was established in 2018, the DCR SAR Team has participated in 73 missions on and off DCR property, including the search for missing UVA student Hannah Graham in 2014, a despondent individual in Bentonville who was found miles from her vehicle during winter in 2023 and a missing individual in 2024 at Claytor Lake State Park who was in need of medical attention for cold-related injuries.
Currently, the team consists of 12 rangers from DCR’s state parks and natural heritage divisions. Their backgrounds range from law enforcement and park management to natural area stewardship and resource management.
Their expertise makes them invaluable assets in emergency situations, helping guide other agencies and bringing practical, on-the-ground skills that come with years of working in and around Virginia’s unique natural landscapes.
The DCR SAR Team in September 2024
Awareness and preparation are two of the best ways to help prevent emergencies. Whether you’re planning to visit a state park, hiking the Appalachian Trail or paddling one of Virginia’s many scenic rivers, be sure to follow safety guidelines, share your plans with someone and carry essential items, like water and first aid kits.
Before you hit the trail at Virginia State Parks, we encourage you to download the free Avenza app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Avenza gives you access to geo-referenced PDFs for every park.
When the map is opened using the app on your smart phone, you’ll see a dot at your exact location, which moves with you as you walk. These maps use your GPS, not your cell signal, so as long as you have the map downloaded on your phone, it will work even when you don’t have service.
If you’d like to brush up on your outdoor skills or learn a new one, consider an educational program hosted by Virginia State Parks. In late spring and summer, you can find events on the basics of camping, hiking, kayaking and orienteering, creating survival bracelets, starting a campfire and much more. To learn more, go to virginiastateparks.gov/events.
The DCR SAR Team is dedicated to providing rapid and effective responses to locate and assist individuals who are lost or in distress. By combining specialized training, coordination with local and state agencies and a commitment to preparedness, the team aims to ensure the safety and well-being of Virginians and visitors while promoting responsible enjoyment of the state’s natural resources.
Categories
Natural Heritage | State Parks
