Haywood County Search & Rescue

10/18/2026

HCSAR and CMC spent the day out honing land navigation skills with paper map and compass navigating both on and off trail terrain.

While technology makes navigation much simpler these days, fundamental skills are critical in rescue.

Layer in events like Helene, when all comms and navigation systems were down, we must rely on these core skills when on missions.

10/14/2026

We are always happy to provide mutual aid to our neighbors and to render aid with such a fine group of professionals!

09/03/2026

As night set in, HCSAR and Lake Logan VFD were called out to help search for an overdue hiker in the area around Black Balsam K**b. Thankfully, a loved one knew the hikers general itinerary which greatly aided in narrowing our search.

We split into smaller teams and entered the area from multiple access points to make rapid headway.

Thankfully, we were able to make contact with the uninjured hiker and help get them to safety.

08/30/2026

HCSAR has joined the call to help find a missing individual in GSMNP via mutual aid. Today, we joined agencies from all over the region in the search over difficult terrain and thick vegetation. While he was not found today, the search will continue on tomorrow and beyond.

08/29/2026

UPDATE 9/1/26: After a multi-day search, Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak was confirmed safe in North Carolina outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Read more here: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/marcin-bachleda-blaszczak-confirmed-safe-outside-of-great-smoky-mountains-national-park.htm

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Missing person — have you seen this person?

Name: Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak
Description: brown hair, blue eyes, 5’6”, 170 lbs

Update: Bachleda-Blaszczak was reported missing to Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s dispatch center the evening of August 24. Following the initial report, his vehicle was located in the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot. Based on the initial investigation, the last known whereabouts of Bachleda-Blaszczak was the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot on August 22.

Rangers have completed a perimeter search around the Sugarlands area and continue expanding the search area.

If you have any information or believe you have seen Bachleda-Blaszczak, please contact:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park dispatch
📧 [email protected]

Please keep sharing this post to help us reach more people.

NPS Poster

08/23/2026

On Saturday, our team met up on the MST in to continue with rope exercises in the form of raises and lowers. Thanks to HCC for the use of the dummy for the simulated patient!

We talk about it all the time-our goal is not to practice until we get it right but rather until we can’t get it wrong. Ropes aren’t used on every rescue call but, when they are needed, there is more at stake and we want to be sharp on our skills.

08/14/2026

Our team meets for training regularly to hone our skills. Last night, we worked on raise and lower systems in the bay at Haywood Community College’s service building.

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

Haywood County Search and Rescue was deployed to assist with a recovery today.

Our team houses MRT-4, one of the state’s high-angle rope specialty teams. Given the steep, challenging terrain, the advanced skills and specialized equipment of this unit were crucial to safely facilitating the recovery.

We continue to be thankful that we can serve the citizens of this county and help provide closure to families in these difficult moments.

Thanks to Fines Creek Volunteer FD and all emergency personnel who participated.

08/07/2026

Tonight, Haywood County Search and Rescue was called out alongside Cruso Fire and Rescue to locate 3 missing people in the Graveyard Fields.

Using cell phone pings, and information from the family, we were able to make contact and lead the lost individuals to safety.

It’s been wet and cool up along the parkway, especially overnight.

If you plan to recreate in our public lands, remember to pack enough supplies to spend an unplanned night out… you want to stay fed, hydrated, warm and dry!