SCSAR - Search and Rescue Team

Home
United States
Spartanburg, SC
SCSAR - Search and Rescue Team

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

A trained, dedicated, and professional SAR team who offers K9, Ground, Inland Water, Aerial, and SAR

Spartanburg County Search and Rescue (SCSAR) began in 2007 with a simple mission: help those who are lost. We are an all-volunteer team who currently consist of 150+ members. All of our members are background checked and fall under Spartanburg County's Workman's Comp Policy and Liability Insurance. As SCSAR members, our volunteers are trained as ground searchers, K9 handlers, drone pilots, side scan operators, and/or support staff to include the Salamander System. We provide our services free of charge to any official requesting entity. We welcome the opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities and always look forward to working closely with all entities in the SAR Community. For more information or to request our services, feel free to call 864-595-5368 or visit us online at www.spartanburgsar.org

10/22/2026

URGENT NEEDS FOR THOSE ASSISTING OUR COMMUNITY

We still need drivers for our Amish Volunteers who are rebuilding and fixing homes in our community from October 27 until April with a break for the Holidays

We need volunteers who can commit an entire day to be a runner for the Amish as they will need supply runs throughout the day....see dates above

Lastly, we have Lutheran volunteers (LERT) rebuilding in our Community from 11/9-11/14 to 11/15 - 11/19. We need to feed 15 volunteers that first week and 5 volunteers the 2nd week.

To be a runner or driver, just fill out this form: https://forms.gle/wwaaiXPynpyYkoQG9

Those wishing to help with food just text 864-913-7816 or email [email protected]

PLease see attached posters, spread/share the word and if you can, please HELP us during this time of need

10/11/2026

We send our condolences to Valerie Vernet for the loss of SAR K9 Gracie. Team Gracie was on the team for several years, winning numerous awards during their tenure. Thank you both for your tireless work and your dedication to Search & Rescue.

10/10/2026

A quick thank you to the 25+ who came out to today's mock search. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the training despite the less than stellar forecast. Great job by all

09/30/2026

Four days of training. Six SCSAR K9 certifications. One shared mission: being ready when someone needs us.

The Fall AMPWDA seminar brought together 16 handlers and 18 K9s, along with six instructors and staff, for classroom instruction on scent theory and field training in Mantrailing, Human Remains Detection, and Air Scent Live Find. Our SCSAR - Search and Rescue Team had nine attendees and 10 K9s participating.

We’re especially proud to recognize these SCSAR teams for earning or renewing their certifications:

Human Remains Detection
• Lorraine & Jaeger — Re-certification
• Lorraine & Clip — Initial certification
• Christy Hogle & Loki — Initial certification

Air Scent Live Find
• Brian & Maggie — Re-certification
• Marty & Gunner — Re-certification
• Kevin & Saleen — Initial certification

These accomplishments reflect countless hours of training, dedication, and trust between each handler and K9. Across SCSAR, our K9s now hold three Mantrailing, seven Human Remains Detection, and three Air Scent Live Find certifications, including four dogs certified in both a live-find discipline and human remains detection.

A huge thank-you to the instructors, staff, participating teams, and eight support volunteers, including six from SCSAR, who helped by hiding for the dogs. Every person willing to be “lost” in training helps these teams prepare for a real search.

Congratulations to our handlers and their four-legged partners! Thank you for the time and commitment you give to serving our community.

09/26/2026

Highlight of Harvest Day

And before anybody asks...NO, this is not AI. This actually happened.

We may have added a little music for comedic effect...lol
Those of you who didn’t stop by our booth today apparently missed out on this level of entertainment.

Harvest Day never disappoints

If David Letterman still did Stupid Pet Tricks, then we have an instant classic

Wanna join the fun, click here to join:
https://www.scsaronline.org/join-us

Music used for humorous/entertainment purposes; rights remain with the respective copyright owner.

09/25/2026

K9 Saleen and Kevin Hite have passed their AMPWDA Live Find Air Scent certification today. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

50 acres, 20 minutes, 100 percent pass. The evaluator told Kevin that if Kevin were on a search with Saleen that he would put them in the highest probability area.

Congrats again to Kevin Hite and K9 Saleen!!!!!

09/21/2026

Our next FUNSAR / SAR II class begins next week!

This training is for members of our SCSAR - Search and Rescue Team who are interested in continuing their SAR training and working toward their SAR II certification.

A future date for Wilderness First Aid, a 16-hour course, will be announced as soon as possible. Wilderness First Aid is also required for anyone seeking these certifications and will be offered to our members following the conclusion of the course.

For anyone pursuing SAR II, you must have already completed your required physical test or complete it during the four-week training session before the SAR II practicals.

The physical test consists of:
3-mile hike
20-pound pack
Completed in 1 hour or less
Walk only - no running
Course will include terrain and elevation changes

For those who only wish to complete the FUNSAR portion of the course, the physical test is not required.

Please see the attached poster for additional information.
Looking forward to another great class and continuing to build the capabilities of SCSAR!

09/08/2026

IF HELP COULDN’T REACH YOU RIGHT AWAY—WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO?

Emergencies do not wait until we feel prepared. Severe weather, power outages, fires, major accidents, and other disasters can disrupt normal services without warning. During those first critical moments, the knowledge and actions of trained community members can make a tremendous difference.

Spartanburg County Emergency Management is offering our 101st Community Emergency Response Team class—and our final CERT class of 2026!

Saturday, September 12
Begins at 9:00 a.m.
175 Community College Drive, Spartanburg
Free to attend

You do not need to be a first responder or have previous experience. CERT training gives everyday citizens practical skills to help protect themselves, care for their families, assist their neighbors, and support their community during an emergency.

Those who successfully complete the class will receive:

CERT Certificate
Stop the Bleed Certificate
Disaster Response Bag starter kit
Practical skills that could help save a life

Prepared communities begin with prepared people. Will you be one of them?

Register now:
https://forms.gle/RG6srBaZE9uLtMz49

Even if you cannot attend, please share this post. Someone in your family, workplace, church, or neighborhood may be waiting for an opportunity like this.

Be prepared. Make a difference. Your community is counting on you!

Address

175 Community College Drive
Spartanburg, SC
29303

Telephone

(864) 595-5368

Website

http://www.spartanburgsar.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SCSAR - Search and Rescue Team posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to SCSAR - Search and Rescue Team:

Want your organization to be the top-listed government service in Spartanburg?