Dedicated Professionals of Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue, Ready to Respond 24/7

The Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue (SBCSAR) team is a dedicated group of highly trained volunteer professionals providing critical assistance during search and rescue operations under the Santa Barbara County Sheriff. They offer a wide range of services, including search techniques, medical response, high-angle rescue, swiftwater rescue, and avalanche rescue. Ready 24/7, 365 days a year, these volunteers are physically fit and skilled in navigation, communication, and survival in challenging environments. The team comprises diverse professionals, from software engineers and healthcare workers to veterans and educators, each bringing unique expertise. Committed to saving lives, they ensure all members are equipped and trained for any situation. Join SBCSAR for a demanding but rewarding experience.

Over 60 Years of Dedicated Service

Since 1962, volunteer search and rescue teams in Santa Barbara County, made up of dedicated community members, have trained tirelessly for emergency situations. Early teams in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Santa Maria established a lasting tradition of service. The Los Padres team, focused on wilderness rescue, earned Mountain Rescue Association membership in the late 1970s. In 2001, these teams unified into a single county-wide team, ready to respond to emergencies 24/7. For over 60 years, they have provided expert assistance in various situations, exemplifying community dedication and inspiring us all.

Explore Our Specialized Operations

  • Technical Rope Rescue

    SBCSAR’s technical rope rescue team is trained in advanced techniques to respond to complex rescue scenarios.

  • K9 Units

    SBCSAR uses trained K9 teams for search and rescue operations, with five certified dogs in three disciplines.

  • Swift Water Rescue

    Swiftwater Teams undergo extensive training to develop rescue techniques and emphasize the importance of situational awareness.

  • Fire & Storm Evacuations

    The Team assists in warning and evacuating people during fires and rainstorms, performing evacuations and rescues.

  • UAV Operations

    The Team employs UAVs with infrared cameras to search to find people who are hard to detect.

  • Helicopter Operations

    The Team utilizes helicopters for search and rescue missions, including medical evacuations and transportation.

  • SAR Incident Management

    The Team utilizes ICS for efficient and coordinated emergency response across agencies.

  • Emergency Beacon Operations

    SBCSAR responds to various emergency beacons to locate and rescue people safely.

  • Alpine, Snow & Ice Rescue

    SBCSAR is certified in alpine snow and ice operations to perform rescues in these conditions

  • Mountain Bike Response

    The mountain bike unit assists in search and rescue operations on mountain trails. The team covers large distances quickly.

  • Off-Road Operations

    With the ability to access remote areas that are difficult or slow to reach on foot, SBCSAR's off-road vehicles are essential.

  • Project Life Saver

    The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department has partnered with SBCSAR to provide services for at-risk individuals.

  • Tracking

    SBCSAR uses tracking and sign-cutting to find lost hikers and assists the Sheriff's Department in investigations, identifying clues that help solve cases.

  • Mutual Aid

    SBCSAR provides mutual aid in through the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA).

  • Community Service

    SBCSAR provides educational services to local schools, foundations and the general public.

SBCSAR Affiliations

Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue is affiliated with several national and statewide organizations that share our commitment to public safety and emergency response. These affiliations provide us with additional resources and training opportunities to ensure that we are always prepared to respond to any emergency situation.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff

As a division of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, SBCSAR is proud to work closely with the department in providing emergency response services to the county. The Sheriff's Office provides critical support to SBCSAR, including dispatch services and coordination with other county and state agencies. This collaboration ensures a swift and effective response to emergencies and allows us to provide the highest level of service possible to the community. The partnership with the Sheriff's Office is integral to our operations, and we are grateful for their continued support. SBCSAR on sbsheriff.org.

Mountain Rescue Association

The Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) is a nationwide organization of accredited Mountain Rescue Teams, and SBCSAR is proud to be one of only 19 teams in California that is fully accredited as a Mountain Rescue Team. In order to qualify for this status, the team must pass proficiency tests in Snow & Ice, Search Management/Tracking & Technical Rock Rescue with the skill tests rotating each year. Our team has been a member of MRA for over 35 years, and this affiliation provides us with additional training and resources to respond to mountain rescue situations.

National Association For Search & Rescue

The National Association For Search & Rescue is a non-profit association dedicated to the advancement of professional, literary, and scientific knowledge and training in the Search & Rescue field. SBCSAR values our affiliation with this organization, which provides us with access to cutting-edge research, training, and resources in the field of search and rescue.

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and homeland security activities within the state of California. SBCSAR is proud to work with Cal OES on emergency response and disaster preparedness, and we are regularly dispatched to join first responders, emergency leaders, and those affected by disasters that threaten public safety to provide critical information and support.

The California Rescue Dog Association

The California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA) is dedicated to training, certifying, and deploying highly-qualified search dog teams to assist law enforcement and other public safety agencies in the search for lost and missing persons. CARDA search dog teams have participated in thousands of missing person searches and have saved public safety agencies millions of dollars through the use of volunteer resources. SBCSAR is proud to work with CARDA to provide crucial search and rescue services, and we appreciate their commitment to assisting us in our efforts to keep the public safe.