About Boise County Search & Rescue
Trained volunteers. Rugged country. Help when it matters most.
Who We Are
An all-volunteer team serving Boise County
Boise County Search & Rescue (BCSAR) is a non-profit team of trained volunteers that operates under the authority of the Boise County Sheriff's Office. In Idaho, the county sheriff is responsible for search and rescue — and teams like ours are how that responsibility is met.
Our members come from every walk of life: contractors, nurses, teachers, retirees, and students. What we share is a willingness to train hard and turn out at any hour, in any weather, to help a stranger in need. We provide our own gear and skills at no cost to the people we assist.
What Drives Us
Our values
Readiness
We train continuously so we can respond safely and effectively when the pager goes off — day or night, summer or winter.
Service
We help anyone in need in the backcountry, without charge and without judgment. That is the heart of what we do.
Safety
A rescuer who becomes a patient helps no one. Sound decision-making and good training protect our members and those we serve.
Where We Serve
Some of Idaho's most rugged country
Boise County stretches from the foothills near Boise deep into the mountains of the Boise National Forest — a landscape of steep ridges, wild rivers, dispersed campgrounds, and hundreds of miles of trails and backroads. It draws hikers, hunters, anglers, OHV riders, and snowmobilers year-round.
When someone goes missing or gets hurt out there, the terrain that makes it beautiful also makes it dangerous. That's where we come in — and we'll go wherever the search leads.
Common Questions
Frequently asked
Does it cost anything to be rescued?
No. Search and rescue in Idaho is provided at no charge to the subject. Please never delay calling for help out of fear of a bill — call 911 early.
How do I request search and rescue?
Call 911. Tell the dispatcher your emergency and location; they will notify the Boise County Sheriff's Office, who activates our team.
Are you part of the government?
We operate under the Sheriff's authority but we are an independent, volunteer, non-profit organization. We fund our own equipment and training largely through donations.