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So That Others May Live....

About

King County 4×4 Search and Rescue is a 501(c)(3) 100% volunteer organization – funded entirely by its members and donations from the public.

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As a member organization of the King County Search and Rescue Association (KCSARA), we work with the other KCSARA member units under the direction of the King County Sheriff’s Office to conduct missions of health and safety throughout King County (and sometimes beyond).

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Purpose

King County 4x4 Search and Rescue defines our purpose as:

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1. To provide a public service by engaging in Search and Rescue activities in support of civil agencies and other authorized Search and Rescue organizations; thereby aiding in the relief of the distressed and the lessening of the burdens of government.


2. To provide a group of citizens possessing knowledge of the state topography who are trained and equipped to assist other organizations in time of emergency or catastrophe.


3. To promote safety, good fellowship and good sportsmanship through education, training and example. 


4. To disseminate information, and to conduct a training program for members and the public concerning outdoor safety and rescue operations.


5. To cooperate with civil authorities and with other non-profit organizations in furthering the objectives of this corporation; and to do and perform generally all acts and things incidental, expedient or necessary to accomplish the purposes above enumerated, provided that no part of the activities of the corporation shall be for the purpose of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, nor for the gain of any private individual, trustee, officer or member of the corporation. 

What We Do

King County 4×4 Search and Rescue are tasked with general support requiring transport and extended travel SAR operations.

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4×4 team members have skill sets in the following areas:

  • Transportation of people, equipment, and supplies during missions.

  • Land navigation, knowledge of the county topography and various map formats, including computerized mapping systems, Global Positioning System (GPS) and utilizing these tools to map roads and terrain.

  • Base camp procedures, support, logistics, control, and security.

  • Driving skills to include vehicle recovery techniques, towing, driving under all road and weather conditions, in safe, well maintained vehicles.

  • Provide and operate an auxiliary Command and Control Vehicle for the Sheriff’s Office.

  • Helicopter ground support, including Helibase & Helispot Setup, Control, and Safety.

  • Search strategies to include the fundamentals in road searching, urban searching, grid searching, crime scene, and basic principles of other KCSARA unit search techniques.

  • Mission site support includes road searches, containment, road-blocking, traffic control/direction, and dog/search team escort.

  • Interview witnesses to collect information for KCSO & SAR operations.

  • 4X4 has a strong contingent of amateur radio operators that provide additional radio-related services to KCSO.

  • Vehicles are equipped with VHF-Low, VHF-Hi, and UHF radio equipment allowing communications with other units or agencies, better facilitating radio operations.  Unit members can conveniently set up radio relay locations on high ground in support of search teams that are beyond direct radio communication to base camp.

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