What Is Search and Rescue (SAR)?
Serving Los Angeles County’s wilderness and backcountry through highly trained volunteers.
When people hear the term Search and Rescue (SAR), they often picture helicopters, ropes, and dramatic mountain rescues. While those are certainly part of what we do, Search and Rescue is much more than that. Search and Rescue teams respond when people become lost, injured, stranded, or trapped in environments where traditional emergency services cannot easily reach them. This includes mountains, canyons, wilderness areas, rivers, remote trails, and other difficult terrain throughout Los Angeles County.
A Division of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Montrose Search and Rescue Team is one of the specialized Search and Rescue teams operating under the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD).
Our team works alongside Sheriff’s deputies, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and other public safety agencies during emergency incidents. Every rescue is managed through the Incident Command System, allowing multiple agencies to work together efficiently during complex operations.
A 100% Volunteer Team
One of the things that surprises many people is that Montrose Search and Rescue is made up entirely of volunteers.
Our members donate thousands of hours each year responding to emergencies, training, maintaining equipment, and serving the community.
Our team consists of both:
- Sheriff’s Reserve Deputies
- Civilian volunteer members
Regardless of background, every member completes extensive training and participates in ongoing education to maintain the skills required for wilderness search, technical rescue, emergency medical care, navigation, communications, and other specialized rescue disciplines.
When your call for help comes in, our members leave their jobs, families, and personal commitments to respond—day or night, weekends, and holidays.
Search and Rescue Is Free
One of the most common questions we receive is:
“Will I be charged if Search and Rescue rescues me?”
The answer is no.
Search and Rescue services provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are offered free of charge.
This includes incidents where specialized rescue resources are required, including helicopter support.
If you are lost, injured, or experiencing a genuine emergency in the backcountry, do not delay calling 911 because you are worried about the cost of a rescue. Calling for help early can often prevent a situation from becoming much more serious.
Air Support
Many of our missions involve aviation resources.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Air 5 helicopter frequently assists our team during search and rescue operations. Air 5 provides rapid access to remote terrain, aerial searching, reconnaissance, personnel transport, and hoist operations when conditions allow.
When needed, we also work closely with Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopters, providing additional aviation capabilities and support around the clock.
The coordination between our ground rescue teams and air crews allows us to safely and efficiently reach people in some of the most challenging terrain in Southern California.
When Should You Call for Help?
No one plans to become lost or injured outdoors. If you are facing a situation where you or someone in your group is seriously injured, stranded, lost, or unable to safely return, call 911 as soon as possible.
Providing your location, the nature of the emergency, the number of people involved, and any available GPS coordinates can greatly assist rescuers.
Serving Our Community
Montrose Search and Rescue has proudly served the communities of Los Angeles County for decades. Every mission reflects our commitment to professionalism, teamwork, and public service.
Whether responding to a missing hiker, assisting an injured climber, searching for a lost child, or helping evacuate someone from difficult terrain, our goal remains the same:
To safely locate, assist, and bring people home.