Become a member
The county needs people who will train, show up, and take direction.
FCSAR is always looking for serious volunteers who live in or near Franklin County and can respond when 911 dispatch calls.
Who should apply
- Age 18 or older
- Reliable transportation and a way to be reached after hours
- Able to hike rough ground with a pack in heat, cold, and dark
- Willing to take a background check
- Ready to train regularly — not just “when something happens”
You do not need prior SAR certification to start. You do need humility, fitness enough to be useful, and the discipline to follow assignment and radio protocol.
What membership costs you
Time, boots, a decent headlamp, and weekends. There is no paycheck. Gear lists are published to members; the team seeks grants and donations so individuals are not buying everything alone.
How to start
- Call 911 only for emergencies. Membership questions go through the team, not dispatch.
- Introduce yourself via the contact page or the public Franklin County SAR Facebook group.
- Attend a meeting / training as a visitor if invited.
- Complete application andd orientation.
- Serve a probationary period while you finish baseline training.
Expectation
If you join, you represent the Franklin County Office of Emergency Management and this county in the woods. We would rather have fewer people who are trained and accountable than a large roster that cannot be fielded.